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Washington Lake Group Camping, 8-11 August, 2024
The interesting terrain of the Uinta Mountains in eastern Utah drew Cache Hikers for the third year. This year we stayed three nights at the Lincoln Group site on Washington Lake off the Mirror Lake Highway, arriving on Thursday and leaving on Sunday. Fourteen hikers camped and hiked nearby trails and paddled on Washington Lake.
We expected some weather and received a couple of dramatic episodes where the canopies nearly took flight, and a brief soaking was delivered after dinner. Trail time was generally dry with occasional gathering clouds. Bugs didn’t make a showing (thankfully!)
Our group campsite provided plenty of space for amazing and delicious buffets at breakfasts and dinners. So much food! Campfires provided entertainment, roasting, and toasting.
On Friday one group of 10 hiked the 11-mile Notch Mountain Trail from the Bald Mountain trailhead to the Notch (10,655’) and back to camp, passing Clegg and Ibantik Lakes along with many others. Hikers were treated to pika sightings, peak views, and many wildflowers in bloom. Another group of two hiked the 4-mile Lofty Lakes Loop in a clockwise direction from the Pass Lake trailhead. Along with krummholz and panoramic views at the high point, hikers enjoyed views of Reids Peak, Bald Mountain, Kamas Lake, Cutthroat Lake, Lofty Lake, and Scout Lake.
Saturday’s sunny morning and an ideal launch spot nearby meant some folks brought out their paddleboards and kayaks for some time on the lake. Another group of five hiked the Long Lake Loop from the Lakes Country Trail. For both groups plenty of time was left in the day to relax, read, or play games in camp.
Sunday morning saw a few hikers leaving early, others gradually breaking camp after breakfast and four hikers heading out to hike around Cliff Lake before wrapping up another fine Uinta Mountains excursion.
Trip Summary
- 14 participants: Bree, Brent L., Catherine, Dan, Dave W., David, Deanna, Jane (organizer), Jerry, Michelle, Mitchell (age 9), Roland, Susan, Teresa
- 2 trailers, 2 tow vehicles, 1 elevated-tent-on-a-trailer w/tow vehicle, 5 cars, 5 tents
- Drove 155 or 142 miles from Logan, depending on route taken
- Temperature range from the low 40’s to the mid-70’s
- Hikes: Notch Mountain Trail, Lofty Lakes Loop, Long Lake Loop, Cliff Lake Loop
Thanks
to Jane for the narrative and photos, and Dan and Dave
W for photos and GPS data.
| AUGUST
8-11, GROUP CAMPING (Scroll down for more) |
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| Parking and
picnic tables at the Lincoln Group Campsite |
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| Dinner under the canopy | |||
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| Roland with a perfect marshmallow for
s'mores |
Deanna grilling meat, tofu and
veggies |
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| Relaxing at camp after the Notch hike on Friday | |||
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| Aftermath of a sudden storm on Saturday | |||
August 9, Hiking the Notch Mountain Trail (Scroll down for more) |
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| We passed
Clegg Lake (left) and Bench Lake (Right) |
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| Ibantik Lake
was a popular destination for backpackers |
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| Lovinia Lake was the last
lake before the "Notch" |
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| Looking north
from the Notch |
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| Looking
south from the Notch toward Wall Lake and
Haystack Mountain |
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Our GPS track shows about 10.5 miles
with about
1000
feet
of ascent and 1900 feet of descent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth
or download our GPS file.
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AUGUST 9, HIKING THE LOFTY LAKE TRAIL (Scroll down for more)
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| Reid Peak & Bald Mt from Lofty
Lakes Loop, Friday |
Cutthroat Lake from Lofty Lakes Loop,
Friday |
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| At Kamas Lake
on Lofty Lakes Loop, Friday |
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Our estimated (not GPS) track
shows about 4 miles with about 900 feet
of ascent and descent.
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AUGUST 10, HIKING TO LONG LAKE
(Scroll down for more)
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| Long Lake
Hikers |
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| Looking over Long Lake toward Mount Watson | |||
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| "Buckwheat" (Eriogonum) at Long
Lake |
Gordon's Ivesia (?) at Long
Lake |
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Our GPS track shows about 6.5 miles
with about
600
feet
of ascent and descent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth
or download our GPS
file.
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AUGUST 10, WATER ACTIVITY IN WASHINGTON LAKE (Scroll down for more)
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| Paddling and
swimming at Washington Lake, with Mount Watson in
the background |
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AUGUST 11, HIKING TO CLIFF LAKE |
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Our GPS track shows about
3.4
miles with about 300 feet
of ascent and descent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth
or download our GPS
file.
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