July 3 - Lofty Lake Loop (Uintas)

My goal for my second day in the Uintas is completing yet another hike on my "must-do" list: Lofty Lake Loop. I tried last July and turned back on the last set of exposed switchbacks - it was too windy for my liking.

Today, I'm starting in the other direction (counter-clockwise) just for a change of pace. It's shorter (only 1.5 miles) to the lake and I've read the elevation is better spread out over the distance. I'll just have to see.

I head out from Evanston WY just before 7:30. Sunny morning and around 55 degrees. Passing through miles of hay meadows filled with cattle. Love this type of country!

I spot a hawk perched on a tall pole overlooking the meadows.

And in the middle of a field of cattle, a lone Sandhill Crane.

A little further down the road, I see 2 more Sandhills - beautiful birds

As I gain in elevation (and nearing to my destination), I'm seeing many Marmots crossing the road. Not sure why they're all crossing to the same side of the road - a morning migration???

One barely lives to see the rest of the day as he crosses right in front of a pick-up. He stops just before the tire whizzes by. And then finishes the crossing once the car passes. Whew!

Further along, I spot a deer as he drops down the hill and out of sight.

I get to the Pass Lake trail head turnoff. It's just before 8am, I'm hoping there's parking (it is the holiday week-end, campsites are sold-out, hotels are full in Evanston....) and to my pleasant surprise, there's only a few cars. :)

Time to start this adventure - in the clockwise direction - 1.5 miles and in 700 ft elevation to the lake at sitting at 10,700ft.

Traveling through a pine forest. The trail is a mix of a dirt trail and a rocky one. Can't stop for too long as the mosquitoes are out. They're not horrible but they are there.

A few little stream crossings to add to the adventure.

Seeing the same flowers I saw yesterday around Mirror Lake.

I first pass Pictuesque Lake.

I spot a chipmunk glowing in the sunlight.

And then the larger Scout Lake - looks serene in the morning light.

This lake is used by the Steiner Camp (boy scout). The scouts are very enthusiastic this morning in their loud responses to commands.

I see a large dragonfly resting on some pine branches.

I can finally start seeing some rocky peaks to my left as the canopy starts to open. And then I start heading toward them -- a rocky uphill stretch.

Looks like prime habitat to Magdaline Alpines - I'm looking for them but it's still early.

I do spot a Riding's Satyr. (Saw a couple of them yesterday.) And the little flyer I think is a 2-banded Skipper but it just won't land.

I spot a Parry's Primrose. Very pretty flower.

The views are so nice.

I climb higher until, finally, I get my first peek at Lofty Lake!!

I love the mosaic mountain on the far side of the lake.

I make my way down to the lake -- Glacier Lilies, buttercups, shooting stars in the meadow (very early in this summer's flower progression).

Surprisingly, I have the lake all to myself!

I make my way along the lake to the far end -- enjoying the views.

I make a left at the far end (I just want a view of the entire lake from the other side) and I find yet another little lake!

And there's a marmot running around there.

Time to continue on and make my way to that exposed switchback.

I just start down when I scare up at Magdelina Alpine sunning itself on the rocks.

The views are incredible as I head down the switchbacks!!

Heading down, I spot a hummingbird nectaring.

And that tiny butterfly again -- but it's not a butterfly but a pretty and colorful moth. (I've seen this one before up at Catherine's Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon.)

I make it down the switchbacks and continue downhill towards Kamas Lake.

I pass through some meadows - no butterflies yet. :(

I get to Kamas Lake. The trail heads behind the dam.

Down, down I go.

I pass by three small lakes/ponds and then I'm on the last stretch along Reid's meadow (a beautiful, large wet meadow).

Lots of tiny
stream crossings along the way alongside Reid's Meadow and the wonderful views of Bald and Reid's Peak.

I spot a Milbert's Tortoiseshell and Grizzled Skipper.

What a wonderful hike - would love to do it again (and maybe get to a least the top of that mosaic hill by Lofty Lake).

My initial plan this morning was to head to Murdock Mt and do some butterflying but it's just too early in the season. Time to head home. Great little two day holiday!!!