logo-header
close

Lofty Lakes Loop

  • Location: 40.7139433, -110.8923983
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Length: 4.4 Miles
    • Elevation Gain: 962 Feet
    • Type: Loop
  • Facilities & Parking: Pass Lake Trailhead. There is no permit, but there is a $6 fee (good for three days) for accessing the Mirror Lake Highway and trails. You can purchase the pass at the ranger station in Kamas, UT, or any self-serve stations along the highway. If you have an annual National Park Pass or yearly American Fork Canyon Pass, you can use either to park free.
Overview
The Uintas are a magical mountain range close to Park City with quite an array of high alpine lakes. The Lofty Lakes Loop showcases some beautiful scenery and blooming wildflowers if you happen to head there during peak bloom, usually mid-July through early August. This hike starts at the Pass Lake Trailhead just off Mirror Lake Highway near Pass Lake. There are two trailheads for this hike - one in the NW corner of the parking lot and one in the southern area. We hiked this route in a counter-clockwise direction, so we started from the NW corner TH. If you want to hike this in a clockwise direction, start from the southern end trailhead. The trail is slightly rocky but very gradual and well defined. The first lake you come across is small yet quite picturesque - no wonder it’s called Picturesque Lake! Continuing, Scout Lake comes into view, and it’s a spectacular spot with droves of wildflowers blooming. A perfect place to set up a picnic. The trail then starts to increase elevation as you hike towards a small pass between Scout and Lofty Lakes. As you make your way over the small pass, you get beautiful views of not only Lofty Lake but the many peaks surrounding you. Past Lofty Lake, you will start to descend a few switchbacks and have another excellent view, this time of Cutthroat Lake. Stay left at a faint trail split, and you should be hiking directly south where you will come to Kamas Lake. As you head back to the parking lot, you’ll see a lot of great signage to direct you where you need to go.
Amenities
Hiking Trails
  • Type: Loop
  • Elevation Gain: 962 Feet
  • Length: 4.4 Miles
  • Facilities & Parking: Pass Lake Trailhead. There is no permit, but there is a $6 fee (good for three days) for accessing the Mirror Lake Highway and trails. You can purchase the pass at the ranger station in Kamas, UT, or any self-serve stations along the highway. If you have an annual National Park Pass or yearly American Fork Canyon Pass, you can use either to park free.
  • Dogs Allowed Off Leash:
  • Hiking Only:
  • Rates By Date
  • Map