Mirror Lake - Near Kamas, Utah
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
I’m planning a week-long trip to central Oregon next week, where there are some excellent lakes for paddling, all of them quite near to each other. I was wondering if Utah had something like that, so I got online and checked out the Uintah mountain area near Kamas, Utah. After perusing the maps of the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, I loaded my camping gear and kayak and set off.
I’m planning a week-long trip to central Oregon next week, where there are some excellent lakes for paddling, all of them quite near to each other. I was wondering if Utah had something like that, so I got online and checked out the Uintah mountain area near Kamas, Utah. After perusing the maps of the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, I loaded my camping gear and kayak and set off.
Mirror Lake on Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
Lake, Pond or Puddle?
My initial plan was to camp near Moosehorn Lake, just because I liked the name of it and because I didn’t think it would be as busy as Mirror Lake. As it turns out, Utah’s Uintah lakes aren’t nearly as big as the ones in Oregon. In fact, they all seemed more like ponds than lakes. They were absolutely gorgeous, but still more of a pond than a lake. Kayaking any of them would take all of 15 minutes, except for Mirror Lake, so that’s where I decided to put in.
Lake, Pond or Puddle?
My initial plan was to camp near Moosehorn Lake, just because I liked the name of it and because I didn’t think it would be as busy as Mirror Lake. As it turns out, Utah’s Uintah lakes aren’t nearly as big as the ones in Oregon. In fact, they all seemed more like ponds than lakes. They were absolutely gorgeous, but still more of a pond than a lake. Kayaking any of them would take all of 15 minutes, except for Mirror Lake, so that’s where I decided to put in.
Gorgeous Views of Mirror Lake in Utah
Never Paddle During a Holiday
Utah just got done with a state holiday, Pioneer Day, on the 24th. I knew I didn’t want to paddle during holiday traffic, so I took off on the 25th. I found a secluded camping site quite easily, north of Mirror Lake, on the edge of a lovely meadow and shaded by lots of trees. The former occupants had left plenty of firewood, all neatly stacked and ready for me to use in the fire pit. I didn’t start a fire – Utah is under extreme fire risk restrictions at present – but the larger logs made for a nice table and stool. Sissy and I spent the afternoon hiking through the meadow and napping. It took me awhile to go to sleep when dark fell because the moon was shining smack through my tent door. For a while, it felt like I had a streetlight shining overhead, until it passed further to the west.
Never Paddle During a Holiday
Utah just got done with a state holiday, Pioneer Day, on the 24th. I knew I didn’t want to paddle during holiday traffic, so I took off on the 25th. I found a secluded camping site quite easily, north of Mirror Lake, on the edge of a lovely meadow and shaded by lots of trees. The former occupants had left plenty of firewood, all neatly stacked and ready for me to use in the fire pit. I didn’t start a fire – Utah is under extreme fire risk restrictions at present – but the larger logs made for a nice table and stool. Sissy and I spent the afternoon hiking through the meadow and napping. It took me awhile to go to sleep when dark fell because the moon was shining smack through my tent door. For a while, it felt like I had a streetlight shining overhead, until it passed further to the west.
Camping near Mirror Lake, Utah
Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake has a surface area of 50 acres, the largest and most accessible of the lakes along Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. I know 50 acres sounds like a lot of water, but if I hadn’t lingered and criss-crossed the lake a number of times during my paddle, it would have been a very quick excursion. Thankfully, the scenery is truly beautiful and well worth stopping to gaze at. There is also a lovely trail that runs around the entire edge of the lake. Sissy and I walked the trail first thing, waiting for the sun to rise and warm things up. We got to the lake around 8:00 a.m. There were very few people around. In fact, even though we didn’t launch until around 9:00, we were the only ones on the lake for at least an hour.
Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake has a surface area of 50 acres, the largest and most accessible of the lakes along Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. I know 50 acres sounds like a lot of water, but if I hadn’t lingered and criss-crossed the lake a number of times during my paddle, it would have been a very quick excursion. Thankfully, the scenery is truly beautiful and well worth stopping to gaze at. There is also a lovely trail that runs around the entire edge of the lake. Sissy and I walked the trail first thing, waiting for the sun to rise and warm things up. We got to the lake around 8:00 a.m. There were very few people around. In fact, even though we didn’t launch until around 9:00, we were the only ones on the lake for at least an hour.
Mirror Lake, Utah - Hardly Anyone Around on a Weekday Morning
Mirror Lake Weather
The water temperatures in Mirror Lake are a good deal colder than the reservoirs in Utah’s lower altitudes. I wouldn’t want to go swimming there. You could see plenty of snow patches in the mountains and there were at least six different streams still feeding into the lake. According to my car’s thermometer, the air temperature was about 15 degrees cooler than the Salt Lake area. At times, the wind ruffled the water a bit and then, just a few minutes later, everything was glass again. I guess that’s why they call it “Mirror Lake”.
Mirror Lake Weather
The water temperatures in Mirror Lake are a good deal colder than the reservoirs in Utah’s lower altitudes. I wouldn’t want to go swimming there. You could see plenty of snow patches in the mountains and there were at least six different streams still feeding into the lake. According to my car’s thermometer, the air temperature was about 15 degrees cooler than the Salt Lake area. At times, the wind ruffled the water a bit and then, just a few minutes later, everything was glass again. I guess that’s why they call it “Mirror Lake”.
Uintah Mountains - Wildflowers and Flowing Creeks in Late July
Bald Mountain
I brought my binoculars out on the lake with me to see if I could spot a Rocky Mountain goat on the side of Bald Mountain, to the west of Mirror Lake. I found out that using binoculars on the water, even when there are no waves, can make you feel dizzy. I finally had to beach the kayak so I could keep a steadier focus on the mountain. Even so, all I saw were some hikers walking along the summit. The Bald Mountain Trail is a moderate 2.6 miles, out and back. I’m definitely going to schedule time for Sissy and me to hike it the next time we go there.
Bald Mountain
I brought my binoculars out on the lake with me to see if I could spot a Rocky Mountain goat on the side of Bald Mountain, to the west of Mirror Lake. I found out that using binoculars on the water, even when there are no waves, can make you feel dizzy. I finally had to beach the kayak so I could keep a steadier focus on the mountain. Even so, all I saw were some hikers walking along the summit. The Bald Mountain Trail is a moderate 2.6 miles, out and back. I’m definitely going to schedule time for Sissy and me to hike it the next time we go there.
Bald Mountain - Mirror Lake, Utah
Pool Noodle Science
Near the west end of Mirror Lake, there was a green “something” floating in the water. I saw it first while hiking around the edge of the lake and noticed it was still there once I started paddling. I thought it might be water trash and decided to go remove it. However, it turned out to be a pool noodle, folded and zip-tied, with a laminated card attached that said it was the property of Westminster College and any questions should be directed to Dr. Foad Yousef, a biology professor at Westminster. Since I am a middle school biology teacher, I was very interested in Dr. Yousef’s research and emailed him as soon as I returned home. He replied that he is measuring lake temperatures and algae blooms in Utah's high mountain lakes as part of climate change research. Fascinating stuff!
Pool Noodle Science
Near the west end of Mirror Lake, there was a green “something” floating in the water. I saw it first while hiking around the edge of the lake and noticed it was still there once I started paddling. I thought it might be water trash and decided to go remove it. However, it turned out to be a pool noodle, folded and zip-tied, with a laminated card attached that said it was the property of Westminster College and any questions should be directed to Dr. Foad Yousef, a biology professor at Westminster. Since I am a middle school biology teacher, I was very interested in Dr. Yousef’s research and emailed him as soon as I returned home. He replied that he is measuring lake temperatures and algae blooms in Utah's high mountain lakes as part of climate change research. Fascinating stuff!
What's That Thingy Floating in the Water?
What a Great Trip!
I can’t believe I’ve been in Utah for 35 years and never travelled the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. What a gem it is! There are a myriad of trails and small lakes (okay, ponds) for hiking, floating, paddling and fishing; enough to keep you busy for days. The mid-summer weather is perfect for outdoor activities. It’s only a ninety-minute drive from Ogden or Salt Lake City, the drive itself has gorgeous scenery, and there are plenty of campsites, both hosted and primitive. I will definitely be returning.
What a Great Trip!
I can’t believe I’ve been in Utah for 35 years and never travelled the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. What a gem it is! There are a myriad of trails and small lakes (okay, ponds) for hiking, floating, paddling and fishing; enough to keep you busy for days. The mid-summer weather is perfect for outdoor activities. It’s only a ninety-minute drive from Ogden or Salt Lake City, the drive itself has gorgeous scenery, and there are plenty of campsites, both hosted and primitive. I will definitely be returning.
Mirror Lake, Utah - We'll be Back!