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Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

Island Lake is one of many gorgeous lakes in the Uintas – it can be hard to choose which lake to visit. This lake offers a quick backpacking trip, cliff jumping, swimming, fishing, & solitude in the summer months. If you are feeling adventurous, you could even hike up to one of the three surrounding peaks. Hiking to Island Lake is an easy, family friendly hike, that even the dogs can join in on.

Directions

From SLC head East on I-80 towards Park City. Take exit 146 for Hwy-40 south towards Heber. Take exit 4 towards Kamas. At the first light in Kamas, UT turn left, and at the next light turn Right, onto the Mirror Lake Hwy. Drive until you see the sign for Crystal Lake TH, and follow the signs for the parking area. There are restrooms at the TH. Keep in mind that the Mirror Lake Hwy charges a fee – 1-3 days is $6, 7 day pass is $12, or $45 for an annual pass. If you have an Annual National Parks Pass you get in free. Be sure to place your pass on your dashboard. Drive time from SLC is about 1:15-1:30. Here is a driving map.

Trail Info

Distance: 6 miles round trip

Elevation gain: 600 ft

Time: 3-6 hours depending on how much time you want to spend at each lake

Dog friendly? Yes

Kid friendly? Yes

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

The official TH. We almost always have to park in the overflow lot, and then hike about 10 minutes to get here.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

Continue straight pass a few trail splits. These rusted signs are really hard to read.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

Cross a bridge. Usually by Fall this creek has dried up.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

You’ll hike over a small saddle, and then drop down again hiking over more bridges.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

At 2 miles reach Long Lake.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

Great place to let the dogs take a dip!

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

Walk across another bridge, and you’ll come to an intersection. Stay left for Island Lake.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

Just before you reach Island Lake you will walk along the edge of the cliff side.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

Island Lake! This is a popular spot for cliff jumping and backpacking. The peak ahead is called Long Peak.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

On the way back we took the slightly longer route to see something new.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

Passing by Pot Lake. A lot of people were fishing here.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

Letting Charlie swim at Weir Lake to cool off.

Hiking to Long Lake & Island Lake, Uintas

Eventually the trail links back up with the main trail just North of Long Lake. It made a nice fun loop!

Throwback to 2015 – my first time hiking here in October and it was so cold!

 

Two routes to choose from.

My track via Gaia GPS – the best tracking app! Get your app here for a discount.

 

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