Basics
- Location:
- About 32 miles northeast of Kamas off Hwy 150
- Length:
- 8 mile loop
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Elevation Change:
- 300 feet
- Season:
- June to October
Description
Two high trails providing access to several small alpine lakes north of the Mirror Lake Highway in the vicinity of Pass Lake and the Steiner Boy Scout Camp. It is possible to do a loop hike from Pass Lake via the Lofty Lake Trail by following the trail around Kamas, Lofty and Scout Lake, then proceeding to Picturesque Lake at Camp Steiner and traveling cross-country through the woods back to Pass Lake. This is perhaps one of the most scenic day hikes on the Kamas Ranger District. The round trip is about 4 miles. ..Several rushing streams draining off Reid's Peak cross the trail and may pose a hazard to hikers trying to cross them early in the season. The trail drops steeply the first three miles below Pass Lake, and there are many steep, rocky and muddy sections here. Lower down, the trail assumes an easier grade. The trail is fairly easy to follow except for the section about 4 miles down that runs along the northeast side of the Weber River. Here, there are places where the trail follows close to the creek and is difficult to follow through the thick willows.The trail crosses the main stream twice, once about 3 miles below Pass Lake, then again about 4.5 miles down. Both crossings are difficult at high water, although there are downed logs that provide natural bridges for hikers. Plans are being developed to improve the Pass Lake Trailhead. This will provide more convenient parking and eliminate the difficulty of finding the trail at the top end.
Details
Location:
About 32 miles northeast of Kamas off Hwy 150
Length:
8 mile loop
Miles round trip (including Cuberant Lake Trail spur)
Miles round trip (including Cuberant Lake Trail spur)
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Elevation Change:
300
Season:
June to October
Useful Map(s):
USGS Quad,: Mirror Lake
Additional Details:
Lower end of the trail near Holiday Park may open earlier than June...This trail is not used a great deal and provides a hiker or horseback rider, who enjoys traveling through the woods along a mountain stream, a chance to get away from the crowds camped at the lakes. The Lofty Lake Trail is a popular day hike, while the Cuberant area is regularly used by backpackers in July and August..Both trails are steep and rocky; and the Cuberant Trail is obscure in places. The trail drops more than 2,000 vertical feet between Pass Lake and Holiday Park, making it an easy hike down, and a moderate to difficult hike up. Taking the spur to Meadow Lake makes the hike from either direction difficult, as this short section is both poorly marked and very steep..Map Corrections: The USGS map depicts these trails accurately. However, some Forest Service maps show the Cuberant Trail continuing north to Fish Lake. While strong hikers may negotiate this route by traveling cross-country, there is no trail as such between the two lakes. .
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
The Lofty Lake Trail begins at a junction with the Weber River Trail (#079) about 1/2 mile west of Pass Lake, which is located on the Mirror Lake Highway, 32 miles east of Kamas. The trail climbs passed Kamas and Lofty Lakes before dropping to Scout Lake and Camp Steiner where it ends. The Cuberant Lake Trail begins at a junction with the Lofty Lake Trail, one mile north of the Weber River - Lofty Lake Trail junction. The trail terminates at Cuberant Lake.
