Day 1 - Hike from Christmas Meadows to campsites on the far end of the lake below the peaks Day 2 - Hike 11 miles to Ryder Lake, camp Day 3 - Hike 11 miles back to Amethyst Lake, camp Day 4 - Return to Christmas Meadows. A few lakes are directly accessible to vehicles, but the vast majority of these waters are remote and accessible only by trail or cross-country travel. The first 2.5 miles of trail south from Christmas Meadows includes a few minor ups and downs, but the trail gains little elevation. Fly-fishing for cutthroat and brook trout is a popular activity on Stillwater Fork, which can be accessed just outside the campground. Beginning of the trail. The mountains seemed to play ping-pong with the thunder, … Christmas Meadows Trailhead Parking lot, 3½ miles southwest; Explore Your World. Robin Phillips shot Christmas Meadows in Utah in memory of his son, a Boy Scout Hero . It is a beautiful, colorful ride. The first 4 or so miles of the trail were really mellow with maybe 500 ft overall elevation change. Setting up camp. The trailhead is well marked and signed. Christmas Meadows Trail, for hiking and horseback riding, begins just outside the campground. Within a couple of hours, dark clouds gathered overhead. The trail is crossed several times by brookes, creeks and marshland, and moderately rocky. I could tell that the rain was going to pick back up, so I quickly rolled up the tent, used the fly as a makeshift backpack rain cover an hit the trail. However, with over 1700 miles of trail, there are many great hikes to experience that are not included. Help me, help you – we make a small commission every time an item or piece of gear is purchased after … First third of ride is along lush Christmas Meadows. I had stayed at Christmas Meadows on a Monday night in July of last year and backpacked up to Kermsuh Lake the following day. The trail to Amethyst Lake and Amethyst Basin starts at the Christmas Meadows trailhead. Follow the Christmas Meadows road, staying on the main road, about 3 miles to the Christmas Meadows campground. MAPS & GUIDEBOOKS. Colorful clouds through the trees. The trail offers a number of activity options. Fly-fishing for cutthroat and brook trout is a popular activity on Stillwater Fork, which can be accessed just outside the campground. While it can be difficult to get a reservation here in winter, it is definitely worth the effort. Parking is available, although spaces may be filled on warm summer weekends. Season: Midsummer through mid-fall. Type what you are searching for: Home; About; Shop; App; FAQ; Support; My Account Christmas Meadows is only really accessible for about 5 months out of the year, so anytime you can get there during summer and fall is a good time. You'll follow a pretty creek … Dogs on leash Backpacking Camping Fishing Hiking Nature trips Forest Lake River Views … These campgrounds are located in the northern slope of the Uinta Mountains, Wasatch National Forest in Utah. It's mostly soft ground, and it's almost flat, except for a few steep rocky areas. The meadow is green and lush in the summer, but I personally like fall … The trail starts at the Christmas Meadows trailhead in the Uintas. After breakfast and packing up camp on Saturday morning we hit the trail, which immediately began … Christmas Meadows Trailhead: 8,790 ft. Amethyst Meadows: 10,360 ft. Amethyst Lake: 10,740 ft. Bear Claw is one of five Yurts in Utah's Uinta Mountains near the Wyoming border along the Mirror Lake Highway. Some great areas to fish off Mirror Lake highway are the Crystal Lake trailhead, the lofty lakes loop trailhead or Christmas Meadows. This ride is the center, main trail into Ryder Lake. 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