Hike up one of the state's tallest mountains for a view of dozens of lakes below.
After trying the "best donuts in Utah," we had to burn a bit of calories by way of climbing to the top of Bald Mountain.
There are sever Bald Mountains throughout the United States, but this particular on his located in the Unite-Wasatch-Cache National Forests (say that three times fast).
The trailhead contains a dirt lot for parking. All visitors to the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest must pay the Recreational Use passes.
The trailhead has a toilet that I'd recommend uses as there are no spaces to "step away" on the trail.
While the trail is listed as only 2.7 miles of a hike, it's almost entirely an incline up nearly 1,200 feet, so it goes a lot slower than one would expect.
You'll start making your way up the mountain, with rocks scattered all over the trail. Trees will line the trail here and there, but you'll see mostly grays and browns all round you.
Eventually, you'll get to a false peak of sorts, turn around and see many lakes in the distance to the west, including Dean Lake and Cliff Lake.
Continuing east along the trail, views of the opposite side of the mountain come into focus. You'll see the hairpin turns on the road of the Mirror Lake Highway (State Road 150) and Moosehorn Lake.
The trail cuts left to you begin to see the sharp cliffs at the top of the mountain. Here, the trail gets a bit more daunting as you start to notice spots that you could fall several hundred feet with a mis-step.
Curving back towards the middle of the mountain, you'll begin to see the true top of the peak. Here the terrain becomes tremendously rocky and it's not so much as trail as worn-down rocks clustered together.
Eventually, you'll reach the top of the mountain and have incredible 360 degree views all around you. Looking east, you'll see sharp drops and Mirror Lake below.
If you make your way to the west side of the mountain, there is no defined trail and you're simply stepping from rock to rock. Use caution here as not all rocks are stable. Eventually, at the west side of the mountain, you'll be treated to a similar view of the plentiful lakes below and Reids Peak.
The views all-around are rather stunning and it's tough to walk away. You really have to use your best judgement however as you'll spot parts of the mountain that have given away, so you could fall from the mountain at any moment.
This was easily one of my favorite hikes in Utah and given the limited time commit, I'm likely to try this one again and again!
Know Before You Go
There is plenty of parking at the trailhead, but you must have a recreational use pass (see link below).
There is zero shade on this hike, so be sure to include sunblock and some water.
The second part of the hike is unforgiving on your feet with rocky terrain, so wear appropriate footwear.
I'd keep children far from the edges as it's very unclear how stable or unstable the rocks are.
Resources
Video
Location
Just a few hundred feet off of the Mirror Lake Highway, about 40 minutes east of Kamas. Parking is plentiful, but a recreation use pass is required.