First off, note that this is sometimes called the Crystal Trailhead, and also referred to by the…read moreForest Service as Lakes Country Trail #066. The latter refers to a specific route, but we'll get to that. You will also see references to Notch Mountain Trail #081 and Clyde Lake Trail. We'll get to those, too. Oh, and while the following list of trails don't leave right from this trailhead, it's the most popular (and in some cases only) connections to North Fork Provo River Trail, Marjorie Lake Trail, Duck Lake Trail, Long Lake Loop Route Trail, and the Middle Fork Weber River Trail. It's all the same place, though -- this trailhead. Confused yet? Let's dive in. First things first, you've got to find the trailhead. To do that, get to Kamas and then travel up Highway 150 (The Mirror Lake Highway) about 25 miles until you see the signs to turn off for Trial Lake and Washington Lake. You'll turn north, pass Trial Lake, and at the signs, turn right and pass the Washington Lake Campground and continue on the dirt road (easily passable in all types of cars) for a few hundred yards until reaching the parking area. There is lots of parking, a few picnic tables, and vault toilets. In the busy summer months, this parking lot fills up fast on weekends. Like, fills WAY up. With all kinds of creative parking. I've watched over the last decade as it went from a somewhat busy spot to outright chaos on Saturdays. When it's full, they have overflow parking back down the road to the last junction and further west, but it will tack on almost 2/3 mile onto your hike each way. That's been a real bummer to see, and a nuisance when you just want to get out and hike and end up going over a mile on pavement because the main parking lot was full. But enough of the downsides of the popularity, let's dive into why so many people pick this hike. The reason, really, is that it's not just one hike, it's many. I will preface this with one giant note: GET A MAP. Seriously, the Forest Service has worked hard to make great trails and have a 2016 edition map that's very detailed and much more realistic that the USGS or other maps. Here, more than at any other trailhead, I've noticed that Forest Service maps are wildly different (and more accurate) than other versions. Below are the hikes that take off from this trailhead: Lakes Country Trail #066 This is one of three trails that have their terminus at the parking lot proper. This is the most popular, and it goes due west from the outer apex of the parking loop. It's signed and is the one that takes you to the northeastern shore of Crystal Lake. From there, it starts to rise and there's a turnoff to Clyde Lake (next paragraph), then past that you'll hit more switchbacks before cutting through a mountain pass with views of Mt. Watson. Then you traverse the rocks and have all kinds of decisions to make: you can peel off and go to the North Fork Provo River Trail which takes you towards Marjorie Lake and eventually allllll the way back down (nearly 10 miles) to the Highway, popping out about 3 miles below Soapstone. Or you can turn north on the Middle Fork Weber River Trail, but few do. There's another turn for Weir, Pot, and Duck Lakes (not shown on the maps) as well, but most people pass the Marjorie turnoff and press on to Long Lake. This aptly named, long, skinny lake is at around 2.5 miles in from the trailhead. It's a fine destination, but if you have the will, grit it out another mile and a half or so to Island Lake. It's gorgeous. From here, the Lakes Country Trail #066 goes on a bit, then ends at a junction with the Smith-Morehouse Trail and the Big Elk Lake Trail. Clyde Lake Trail Technically, you begin on the Lakes Country Trail #066, but only go a half mile or so before turning uphill to the right towards Clyde Lake. The Forest Service cut a new trail here in the last couple of years, so don't be confused by a sign in the old trail, with an arrow pointing away from what you think is that old trail. Now you pass Crystal Lake before turning off to Clyde, instead of turning off just before. It makes sense. This trail climbs up and delivers you to Cliff Lake, Watson Lake, and eventually Clyde, but most people veer east at Watson and go up to Wall Lake. This also isn't shown on the map, but makes a nice loop. Wall Lake/Notch Mountain Trail This trail also takes off from the Crystal Lake Trailhead. It bisects the Lily Lakes and runs right up the chute to Wall Lake. Then you can jog east and go past Hope Lake, turn back west and go right through a big notch in the mountain to overlook Lovenia Lake. The trail goes on north, downhill for miles before hitting the Main Fork Weber River Trail. Crysal Lake (South) Trail My own name for it, but you can take a short trail to the south shore of Crystal Lake. It leaves from the southwest end of the parking loop. This area is rife with lakes and hikes. I've kept some secrets. It gets heavy usage but is still so special. Be safe and enjoy!

This trail head gives access to many, many different trails, many of which lead to spectacular…read morelakes. The trails around here aren't too difficult or strenuous, but they are breathtaking. I highly recommend for all levels!

It's a short little hike--something like 1.1miles each way on the main trail, so you probably…read morearen't going to make a day of it. And it's on the way to such great hiking farther up towards Wolf Creek Pass, so it's going to be overlooked by many. However, in the winter, this place is hopping. It's popular with the wintertime crowd, and the trees are all marked for winter x-country skiing and you'll hear a lot of motors that time of year, too. But I've only hiked it in summer--twice, actually--and both times it's been a delightful excursion. I ran it the first time, and though it's not perfect for running (some rocks later in the trail and some skinny parts that don't make for easy passing) it was fine. The last time I hiked it, I was carrying a picnic and that was just right. One mile, a nice cascade at the end, a lovely picnic, and back at sunset. You wander along a little river after parking in the massssssive parking lot (trailers, snowmobiles, you really have to see it in winter) and being near this brook is absolute loveliness. It drowns out the sounds as you leave the highway, and has enough pools and ponds that you can stop and wander. We crossed once for curiosity's sake and then went back to the trail and on our way. It's pretty easy, so kiddos could pick their way along the trickier portions, and still probably make it to the end. Just watch them near the water. It never gets too too deep, but they'll want to run and jump in it. Dogs, too. There have been groups hiking there on both my visits, as it's a well-marked trailhead and fairly popular. I quite like these little hikes you can do in a quick evening, though driving from SLC it doesn't much make sense to just come here for this hike, as the drive will take twice as long as the actual hike.

Great hike near a natural spring river. The dogs love splashing around in the summer. Fairly easy…read moreat only 1 mile. I've been on this hike maybe 15 times and enjoyed it each time. Even in the winter it is magical.

This is an easy hike for little ones to climb up the canyon if they want to see an actual…read morewaterfall. As far as the waterfall goes, it's on the small side, but it is a nice little hike at Corner Canyon in Draper. The trail does have some sunny areas, but mostly it's covered buy foliage and it's quite shady on the higher end of the trail.

Memory Of The Upper Provo…read more Perfect dark blue line, stretched transparently thin. Like taffy tumbling over and over as it bends and twists and turns, but never breaks. Each rivulet and riffle tells the story- connecting the dots between the headwaters of how it all began, and the tailwaters of how it all ends. How did it all begin? The same story plays out each year. A year ago today, then tomorrow, a little warmth, then warmer still. Mountain shoulders appear smiling in a beautiful green and white patterned dress. Warmer still, and the dress melts away to fiery red beneath-- melting slowly at first, then faster, then powerless to the call. Winter cedes to the universal order: Two forces become one-- Heat and Gravity join together each tendril of melted snow like interlocked fingers making sweet, soft noises as they tumble unknowingly, happily, gleefully, to where they belong. Raging rapids, calm flats, trout-filled pools, and riffles that whisper secrets from upriver and predictions of what's below. Snow and rain and hail have become River. Soapstone pools, happy hikes, jumping off of logs, sending wishes under a bridge. A river fulfills the promise of life together under the blue sky: Baking sun on garden shores. Each river is unique; a love story tied between how it all begins and how it all ends. How does it all end? Autumn slows the story, Spring runs rapid with confused and turgid channels, summer meets the full measure of happiness. But winter's cold and cruel isolation cannot stop current beneath the ice. The heart of the river beats always. A river never ends. The stretch between how it all began and how it all ends is infinite, ever-flowing, unceasing. Time, distance, dam, or diversion: The heart of the mountain only beats louder; its pulse never wavers, never ends.

Ok Jeffrey, you can't have this river all to yourself. From the headwaters in places like three…read moredivide lakes to when it enters the Jordanelle reservoir, it's a treat. It provides the backdrop for so many campgrounds and picnic areas along the mirror lake road. I've loved driving along it, and enjoying the sites for many years.

Spectacular views from the tops of Wasatch Mountains between Salt Lake City and Park City. About 20…read moreminutes out of SLC at the top of the road that goes by the Hogle Zoo. Wonderful 360 views and moderate hiking difficulty.

Although the trail is well traveled, the constant ascents and descents can still be rough on the…read morelegs... at least, my legs. But all-in-all a great hike. As for the view, if you love being on top of the world, this should be a joy ride for you. If you want to get away or be insulated from civilization, you may want to go elsewhere, because you can see traffic on I-80 going up Parley's Canyon, as well as all the houses and neighborhoods snaking up Emigration Canyon. Take water, for sure.

I love taking friends from out of town on this hike! It's long enough that you feel like you did…read moresomething active, but not too far or too difficult that your friends never trust you to pick a trail again. The trail can be crowded at certain times of the day/year and it can seem confusing because of lack of signage/multiple spur trails but you really can't get lost if you keep heading towards the mountains. This trail is dog friendly! And the dog owners are very respectful and responsible. Which makes this trail even more fun to try!

Trivia: What university originally established in 1850 as the University of Deseret and used in the…read more2002 Winter Olympics sits rather close to the base of this trail? Finding the actual trail can be a little bit of a challenge. From the road where everyone seems to park, we started on a shaded, tree-lined trail that looked promising. But after a short jaunt, we arrived in a dusty, tree free area with trails going in lots of directions. The group in front of us took off like they knew where they were going, but I wasn't fooled by their confidence. Yay Me! But BOOO on the existence of trail markings. I reviewed the map and pointed my hiking companion and I to the trail I thought was most closely aligned with GOOGLE maps and AllTrails. Service was a little spotty. Luckily, it all worked out! The trail is a solid 1000-1200 feet of elevation over a mile which is a solid click of UP. Bring water as shade is rare and the trees are really more shrubs and bush size. The living room area is superb, but depending on the time of day, VERY congested. The seats will feel like the best chair you've ever parked your tired rump, and you will begrudgingly give them up when the crowds form around you.

If you are in Park City in the warmer weather you MUST take this drive to Mirror Lake. In the…read moreautumn the many colors are overwhelming. Hint - look for the Beaver Creek Nudist Ranch! The on way back take the back road to Heber City then back to Park City.

So many lakes. So many trails. So many places to backpack or camp, and only an hour from Salt Lake…read moreCity. The Uintas have a million secret treasures. The more you go, the more you find. Love the Uintas year round, but the mosquitos are FOR REAL in summer. Go prepared.

Lovely hike right in Downtown Park City! There is only parking for 4 vehicles, so I recommend…read morewalking or biking to trailhead. Mother Urban trail starts here. If you do bike, you can only go uphill. Hikers can go both up and down. It's 4.6 miles to Mid Mountain Trail. WARNING: Not much shade on this trail, so go early in the morning, or later in the day once the sun cools down.

Beautiful and peaceful. I've been to the park a handful of times. The trails and views are awesome…read more Totally worth your time to visit.

This park is perfect for a picnic. A nice river is located in one of the trails, and there are all…read moresorts of animals to see. It's a beary nice park.

This waterfall is only about 150 feet off Highway 190. There is plenty of parking across the…read morestreet. The trail is relatively easy but plenty of roots and rocks. You only need to walk for about five minutes to enjoy the falls. You will know when you are getting close as thee is an old mine shaft next to the falls. It is spooky and open for anyone brave enough to go in. Lots of hiking at trailhead nearby, but if only up for a quick walk, this is the spot.