Nov 10 - Mirror Lake and Ruth Lake (Uintas Mountains)

Heading into the Uintas today for one last time this year. Need to take advantage of the opportunity since the road still being open due to the lack of snowfall this year. My plan is to hike to Ruth Lake. I usually go there in the Fall when the lake is frozen. This time, I expect a little bit of snow as well. I'm also hoping to get to Mirror Lake but that depends if the road heading down to the lake is open.

I head off just after 8am. It's supposed to be sunny today but it's pretty cloudy as I head up Parley's Canyon towards Park City. Sure hope it clears out.

Travel up the Mirror Lake highway is just brown with lots of naked aspen (and other) trees. No cows or deer along the road this morning.

When I arrive at my first stop, the Provo River Falls, it's still cloudy (bits of sun peaking thru) and in the upper 20s - brrr!

There's just a bit of snow on the ground at this elevation. The trail is snow packed and icy in spots as I head down to the viewpoint near the Falls.

When I was here a month or so ago, there was very little water coming over the Falls. I'm not expecting much for an icy falls so I am surprised what I see.

(Definitely, looked better in past years but I'll take it.)

Onward and upward towards Bald Mt Pass (10,759ft). The snow coverage widens as I near the pass but its still probably 6 inches or less. I have hope for a Mirror Lake visit!

I reach the pass and start down hill until I reach the Mirror Lake turn. I'm a bit surprised that the road is clear at the top. I'm heading down!! Just the top of the road is clear of snow. The rest is snow packed and slick but I safely reach the parking lot below. It's just after 9am (a crisp 21 degrees and mostly sunny) and I have this snow covered wonderland to myself! How great it is!

The lake is frozen (of course) and snow covered in spots.

I start clockwise around the lake. It's so quiet all I hear are my shoes crunching in the snow covered trail. I just soak in the moment (and the sun) as I make my way around the lake.

Tons of tiny animals tracks in the snow all around the lake. Some are fresher than others.

I'm surprised that there are some tiny streams still flowing into the lake but some are flowing under ice.

Finally on the other side, I get views of Bald Mt and Reids Peak.

And I finally hear a squirrel - never find him though.

When I reach my car, there is another group at the lake sledding down one of the inclines and one car coming down the hill. Time to continue down the road to the Ruth Lake parking.

I arrive to an empty parking lot, gear up and start up the snowy trail thru the forest.

Just a couple of inches of snow on the ground. Travel is easy as many people have already packed down the trail.

Again it is very quiet - but in addition to my crunching footsteps, there's a wind blowing.

A great trip looking back at wonderful views of Hayden Peak

passing snowy meadows

the 1st snow covered lake with more tracks

all before reaching Ruth Lake. She too is frozen and snow covered except the one corner.

I work my way around the lake until Hayden Peak comes into view. There I find a rock and take a break in the warmth of the sun.

At one point, I here a noise and turn to find a Clark's Nutcracker. He's moving through several of the pine trees looking for seeds this morning.

After a bit, it's time to start heading back.

Awesome day!