This is a hike to take you off the valley floors and out of the summer heat. Even on July 22, 2017, kids were playing in a snowbank on the ridge overlooking Lofty Lake.
From the trailhead, follow the sign on the north side of the parking lot to Lofty Lake. The trail is rocky, but well marked. It takes you uphill through the trees. The first highlight is Scout Lake, home to the Boy Scouts of America's Camp Steiner. The trail then turns to the east and continues farther uphill to Lofty Lake.
If you want to turn this out-and-back into a 4-mile loop, continue past Lofty Lake to Kamas Lake and stay on the trail as it winds back to the Pass Lake Trailhead.
Directions • From Kamas, drive 32 miles east on State Road 150, also known as the Mirror Lake Highway to the Pass Lake Trailhead. The trailhead is on the north side of the road, a few hundred feet past Pass Lake. The trail to Lofty Lake is at the Pass Lake Trailhead.
Go to http://local.sltrib.com/hiking/index.php to find previous Hikes of the Week.
— Nate Carlisle
Destination: Lofty Lake
Hiking time • 1.5 hours
Round-trip miles • 3.2 miles
Elevation gain • 866 feet
Difficulty • Moderate
Trail head restrooms • Yes
Dogs allowed • Yes
Bikes allowed • N/A
Fees • $6 for Mirror Lake Highway Recreation Coridoor
Nate Carlisle | The Salt Lake Tribune Hikers walk down the rocky trail to Lofty Lake on July 22, 2017.
Nate Carlisle | The Salt Lake Tribune Lofty Lake, as seen from its north edge on July 22, 2017, sits 1.5 miles from the Pass Lake Trailhead along the Mirror Lake Highway.
Nate Carlisle | The Salt Lake Tribune Children play in a snowbank along the trail to Lofty Lake on July 22, 2017.
Nate Carlisle | The Salt Lake Tribune The trail to Lofty Lake winds through the trees in the Uinta Mountains on July 22, 2017. The round trip is 3.2 miles.