Kamas, UT

Back to Nature: A Trial Lake Adventure (Utah's National Forests) Part 1

The morning sun beams through the bedroom window as if to say “good morning, time to begin the day”. With excitement we quickly get ready for a day trip to Trial Lake and one by one we load up all the necessities in the car.

• Fishing License
• Jackets
• Cooler
• Fishing Gear
• Hand Sanitizer
• Camera

Trial Lake is located in the high Uintas of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest 25 miles above Kamas Utah and the 42 mile journey from Salt Lake City to Kamas provides the everlasting beauty of Park City and Jordanelle. Once we arrive in the little country town of Kamas which is well known as “The Gateway to the Uintas” we’ll stop in at the little grocery store called Kamas Food Town on 145 West 200 South to pick up our worms and those “Oh I forgot” items. Lastly, we’ll top off the gas tank at the gas station located in the parking lot of Food Town.

Yeah! For the next 25 miles as we’re heading up to the Uintas on Highway 150 we will be surrounded by the beauty of the deep green pines, tall sleek quaking aspens, and the friendly hellos from town folk as we’re passing by. Amongst the vegetation we will see deer, moose, squirrels, chipmunks and hawks.

Then the children yell with excitement, “ to the left, it’s the sign for Trial Lake”. The road which is unpaved will lead us to a visual masterpiece of Trial Lake and the other anglers who have found out about its wonder. Not many people know about Trial Lake and the other hidden lakes around Bald Mountain.

As we’re unloading the car of our goods for a successful day of fishing and hiking it’s hard not to be captured by the beauty and the peacefulness of nature. Once we find our fishing spot we’ll spend hours casting out our lines and pulling in those little fighters one by one, only to release them back. It’s always a pleasant surprise to watch the fish as they dance out of the water throughout the day to catch the larvae that lay upon the water’s surface. Trial Lake is certainly a place to find the magic in nature.

Later in the day we will take a hike to Crystal Lake which is a small hidden lake in the mountains. There we will view more brilliance in what the Uintas have to offer and have hopes to see a wandering moose with its massive build.

Our outdoor adventure to Trial Lake may have to come to a close, but one thing is for sure, we will have had a day filled with so many amazing ventures and never a dull moment.

When May to October come around set some time aside and find the beauty in our Utah National Parks, such as Trial Lake because you will be so glad that you did.

Facts about Trial Lake:

• Trial Lake started out as a small natural lake and later enlarged by construction of an earth-dam, which is quite common in the Uinta Mountains.
• The elevation is approximately 9,400 ft
• DWR (Division of Wildlife Resources) stocks the lake regularly
• Maple, oak, pine, aspen, and alpine trees surround the lake
  

Some Important Reminders about Trial Lake:

• There is an entry fee of $6-$25 (Please make sure you refer to the DWR website updates and yearly permit fees)
• There is an outhouse within walking distance from the lake.
• No running water! So remember to take your hand sanitizer and your own water.
• Campgrounds are close to the lake.
• Picnic spots are also close to the lake.
• Make sure you have your fishing license (you will be checked)

What type of fish are in Trial Lake?

• Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout and Albino Trout

• Worms, power bait, flies and lures.

• Make sure you follow the updated fishing proclamation in Utah.

How do I get to Trial Lake?

Salt Lake and Provo: Take I-80 east over Parley's Summit. Exit at US-40/US-189, turning south (right). Three miles later, turn left on US-189 towards Kamas. Drive through Kamas to U-150 (Mirror Lake Highway) Drive 35 miles, watching for the Trial Lake sign before you reach Bald Mountain Pass. The road goes to your left. Follow the sign that says "Fisherman's Parking."

Ogden: Take I-84 east. At Echo Junction, take I-80 westbound (towards Coalville and Salt Lake). At Wanship, go south on US-189 to Kamas. Turn left in Kamas when you reach U-150, then follow the directions as above.

If you are relocating to Utah by military transfer or a job transfer, this is one of many outstanding lakes to capture in your residency here. For a relocation package Contact Me or call me (801) 859-9381 as I am more than happy to help you with your transition in making Utah your home.

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Julie Neerings, GRI- Heart of Utah Real Estate Copyright © 2008- If you are considering buying, selling, military relocations to Hill AFB or relocating to Utah, you deserve local expertise and advice to be provided by a professional in real estate. Julie Neerings is a Utah REALTOR® providing full time, professional real estate services to buyers and sellers in the cities of Layton, Bountiful, Woods Cross, West Valley, West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman and all surrounding cities.