Home Washing Lake Group Camping, 19-21 August, 2022 The Uinta part of our Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest drew Cache Hikers for a weekend of camping and hiking along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway in eastern Utah. We gathered at the Lincoln Group Site on Washington Lake on Friday afternoon about the time the predicted showers delivered as promised. As the rain calmed we set up our camp with various tents, canopies, and camping vehicles, then took a short hike for a look at Washington Lake before dinner. It was the first of many, many lakes we’d see during our stay. Our group site had enough parking and lots of tables and space for meals and gathering. With breakfast and dinner contributions from everyone our buffet tables offered plenty of interesting and delicious food choices. Saturday’s hike was a 7.6 mile loop from the nearby Crystal Lake Trailhead, passing by Wall, Clyde, Watson, Petit, Cliff Lakes and several other smaller lakes. Hiking together to The Notch junction we enjoyed the many wildflowers, the quartzite walls and boulders, and the well-maintained trail. At the junction, with light periodic rain, we split into three groups with one group taking the spur to The Notch viewpoint before returning to the loop and the other two groups continuing at their own pace. A pause at Clyde Lake allowed a moment to hear, then see, several pikas darting among the huge rock piles. Sunday morning everyone managed to get in another hike before heading back to Cache Valley. One group hiked from the campground to lovely Haystack Lake and a second group drove to the Bald Mountain Trailhead for a hike with impressive views. There was some rain each day but not enough to dampen enjoyment of good friends, good food, and the beautiful lakes, peaks and forest of the Uinta Mountains. Trip Summary
Thanks
to Jane for the narrative and photos; Deanna, Dick,
Michelle,Susan, Dave P, Dave W, Dan and Brent for
photos; and Dave W., Dan and David for GPS data. |
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