Mirror Lake Highway - Crowds? Recommendation?

Janice

Janice

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On Sunday morning, we're flying into SLC and hoping to do a half-day hike along Mirror Lake Hwy before heading to Evanston that night and then to the Winds the next day. Are trailheads on MLH still super crowded? (I remember earlier this year some of you commented on the crowds.) I know it's not good to be there on a Sunday, but I can't change that. Any specific recommendations for spots where we hopefully can find parking and enjoy a great hike? Thanks for any suggestions!
 
Janice said:
On Sunday morning, we're flying into SLC and hoping to do a half-day hike along Mirror Lake Hwy before heading to Evanston that night and then to the Winds the next day. Are trailheads on MLH still super crowded? (I remember earlier this year some of you commented on the crowds.) I know it's not good to be there on a Sunday, but I can't change that. Any specific recommendations for spots where we hopefully can find parking and enjoy a great hike? Thanks for any suggestions!
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They'll be crowded all summer, but that doesn't mean it won't be a great time! Sunday is when the weekend crowd is headed out, so it may be easier to get a spot in the late morning or early afternoon when people are starting to trickle out. My standard advice is to start at Crystal Lake trailhead and hike the loop around Clyde Lake. So much scenery packed into a pretty easy 4-5 miles. It's fun to go a little off the trail and see the Three Divide Lakes and other lakes up on that bench too if you've got time.

Other idea would be to start at the Bald Mountain trailhead and hike down to Dean, Notch, and Bench Lakes. Another easy trail with a lot packed into a few miles.

Both parking lots are large and will be pretty busy, but for some reason the trails never seem as busy as you'd think.
 
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Jackson said:
They'll be crowded all summer, but that doesn't mean it won't be a great time! Sunday is when the weekend crowd is headed out, so it may be easier to get a spot in the late morning or early afternoon when people are starting to trickle out. My standard advice is to start at Crystal Lake trailhead and hike the loop around Clyde Lake. So much scenery packed into a pretty easy 4-5 miles. It's fun to go a little off the trail and see the Three Divide Lakes and other lakes up on that bench too of you've got time.

Other idea would be to start at the Bald Mountain trailhead and hike down to Dean, Notch, and Bench Lakes. Another easy trail with a lot packed into a few miles.

Both parking lots are large and will be pretty busy, but for some reason the trails never seem as busy as you'd think.
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This is so helpful - thank you very much!
 
@Jackson, thank you so much for your fabulous recommendation. We went to Crystal Lake trailhead and - after waiting for a big storm to pass - we hiked to Clyde Lake and nearby areas and had the trail mostly to ourselves. This was a perfect first day of our vacation!

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