Mirror Lake to Moon Lake

This past summer I took a week and hiked from Mirror Lake to Moon Lake in the High Uinta Wilderness area of Utah. This is a spectacular hike with Alpine type vistas. This is a great 50 miler for Scouters, as the distance, depending upon which side trails you take, is about 50 to 60 miles.

My pack weighed 42 pounds at the beginning of the hike, including a liter of water. It weighed about 32 pounds at the end of the hike.

The trail head is at Butterfly Lake, about 30 miles north of Kamas, Utah and about 45 miles south of Evanston, Wyoming on scenic Highway 150.

The trail is well marked and easy to hike. There are many trails throughout the Uinta Wilderness area. There are also many great places to camp in this area of the Uintas. It is easy to get separated from your group because of the many trails and because of the expanse of pines. Make sure that everyone has a buddy, map, whistle and is otherwise prepared. There are restrictions on group sizes to 14 or less individuals, but no permits are required. Weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for about anything. Keep your packs to 35 pounds or less and you will have a more enjoyable experience. Pack it in and pack it out.

Consider camping the first night at Pigeon Milk Springs or Four Lake Basin. You’ll find Grayling in some of these lakes, especially in Allen Lake, just below Four Lake Basin. Consider camping the second night at Uinta, Black or Lightning Lake. My favorite is Uinta Lake because it is a little more off the main trail and the fishing is usually better. Consider camping the third night at Anderson or Phinney Lakes. For some large Cutthroat trout, consider going off trail about ¼ mile to Johnson Lake on your way to Squaw Lake Basin. Camp at Squaw Lake. There are at least two fresh water springs on the north and east side of Squaw Lake. Consider then camping at Kidney or Brown Duck Lakes, before making the final leg of the trail down to Moon Lake. There are many alternatives to this trek; for example, turning down from Squaw Lake and coming out at Upper Stillwater Reservoir on the Rock Creek Drainage. Take your camera for breath taking views.

This year we went during the middle of July. It rained lightly for the first two days, but that made the hiking pleasant. Fishing was the best at Anderson Lake.