Day hiking the Lofty Lake Loop

For the first time since finishing up the desert section of the PCT almost three years ago, I finally went car camping last weekend! How luxurious it was to sit in a chair (I never bring one backpacking), set up a fancy picnic table taco bar (instead of my usual ramen or couscous), and not pack up my house every day.

On day two of the trip, my friends and I went for a day hike on the popular Lofty Lake Loop. Starting from the Pass Lake Trailhead, we went counterclockwise so we could get the climb out of the way first, then have a chill hike back downhill to the trailhead.

If I were to hike this trail again, I’d definitely go CCW again. The views looking back from the pass and dropping down to Lofty Lake from this direction were one of the most memorable parts of the trail. Plus, give me a short climb over never-ending uphill any day.

We took a short lunch break at Lofty Lake, then continued our downhill hike, passing meadows, ponds, and Cutthroat and Kamas Lakes along the way.

This hike makes for a great intro to the Uintas, but don’t expect to find solitude. I wouldn’t recommend this trail for a weekend backpacking trip because of how popular it is. I do plan on taking out of town visitors here for a day hike, though, because I’d love to do it again.

And just because, here’s the sunset from back at our campsite.