Uintas over nighter, young kids

JL&clan

JL&clan

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Sep 2, 2013
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I'd like to do a short overnight trip in the Uintas with my family and give the kids (10,8,8,5,2) a good experience with backpacking to get them excited for future trips. Coming from Utah County. Any recommendations that would fit my family's needs, maybe 1-3 miles in? Also, any concerns with end of September? Thanks.
 
Something out of the Crystal Lake trailhead would be just the ticket. Probably heading in towards the Long Lake area. Short approach, pretty easy and very scenic. It can be way too crowded in the summer but late September should be pretty good. Just watch the weather forecast. I've been up there in the late season and had beautiful, warm weather, even in early October. I've also had terrible freezing rain and snow in September. Just keep an eye on it.

Another good hike would be to head out from the same trailhead but go up towards Clyde Lake. Lots of route options to make it longer or shorter. I'd recommend doing the loop through Wall, Twin, Clyde then down Petit, Watson and Cliff. Not technically a trail between Twin and Clyde but it's fairly easy navigation.
 
I echo everything Nick has said. I've been there in mid september and the high temps were a chilly 45 degrees! The weather is key for the kid-o's. Both Long and Clyde lake would be great options. Good luck

Salud!
 
Thanks for the recommendation, sounds like a great first hike for the kids! How many miles is the loop--Wall to Cliff, approx? Where would you recommending staying the night, any particular lake better than another? Does one have better fishing? Also, when you're watching weather, is there a particular station you're watching that monitors that areas, or just looking at Kamas?
 
Not sure but I think it's like 5-6 miles total. If you have the Probst book you can probably piece it together pretty close although his mileage tends to be short, especially on the longer routes.

I usually do a spot forecast on weather.gov. You can click right where you want a forecast and it will extrapolate one based on the coordiantes and elevation. It's not perfect but it's not bad. Here's one for Clyde Lake:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.70230950514283&lon=-110.97049713134766#.Uik8kGRATug

The nice thing about late September is that the monsoon pattern will have died out so you don't have to worry about the constant daily threat of storms as much but rather the real, forecasted storms.
 
I think Nick nailed it. Start out at Chrystal lake and just see what the kids ae up for. There are plenty of places to camp, fish and enjoy the scenery. It's not strenuous either. You won't be crowded in September.
 
The Crystal Lake TH is extremely popular. I'd recommend two other spots instead.

East Shingle Creek Lake- if you have a higher clearance vehicle
or
Star Lake.
You'll have less crowds and better fishing at either location.
 
Thanks all for the input and recommendations. We had a great trip, kids loved it, and they're begging to go back....mission accomplished. Ran across a beautiful camp spot at Twin Lakes, which I'd shoot for next trip.
 
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