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- Aug 9, 2007
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August 2010
I had a fantastic couple of days at Kermsuh Lake. The weather was nothing shy of perfect, not a drop of rain, one day of clear blue skies and another of fluffy clouds, I almost couldn't believe it. Seems like no matter how nice the forecast is, you can always count on that afternoon thunderstorm in the Uintas.
The hike was about 7 miles in from the Christmas Meadows Trailhead. Lots of ups and downs until the last 2 miles which was pretty much just all up. Fishing was good but difficult from my campsite on the south side of the lake. It's very shallow over there, if fishing is your plan I would recommend the west end or anywhere on the north side. There are loads of springs coming off of the peaks surrounding the lake, nothing beats not having to pump water and water just doesn't get much better than that. I had the whole basin to myself while I was there. I ran into a few people on horses up for the day on my way in but other than that nothing until I was back on the main trail the next day.
On day two I threw a few things in a bag and hiked up to the unnamed lake just south of Kermsuh to have breakfast and a cup of coffee. There were no fish in it, far too shallow, but the view was incredible. It was great to watch the morning sunlight work it's way down the back side of Hayden Peak... what an incredible piece of rock.
What else? Bugs were mostly subdued, especially in the morning... definitely still not gone yet. Oh and if you like the alpine cirque views definitely camp on the north side of the lake. The spots aren't as nice but the view and fishing is top notch.
And the pics...
Hayden Peak from my breakfast spot at the unnamed lake south of Kermsuh
Kermsuh from the north side of the lake, my camp site was on the other side, roughly the center of this photo.
Decent sized brookies were plentiful.
Sheep grazing all over near the trailhead at Christmas Meadows.
Featured image for slideshow:
I had a fantastic couple of days at Kermsuh Lake. The weather was nothing shy of perfect, not a drop of rain, one day of clear blue skies and another of fluffy clouds, I almost couldn't believe it. Seems like no matter how nice the forecast is, you can always count on that afternoon thunderstorm in the Uintas.
The hike was about 7 miles in from the Christmas Meadows Trailhead. Lots of ups and downs until the last 2 miles which was pretty much just all up. Fishing was good but difficult from my campsite on the south side of the lake. It's very shallow over there, if fishing is your plan I would recommend the west end or anywhere on the north side. There are loads of springs coming off of the peaks surrounding the lake, nothing beats not having to pump water and water just doesn't get much better than that. I had the whole basin to myself while I was there. I ran into a few people on horses up for the day on my way in but other than that nothing until I was back on the main trail the next day.
On day two I threw a few things in a bag and hiked up to the unnamed lake just south of Kermsuh to have breakfast and a cup of coffee. There were no fish in it, far too shallow, but the view was incredible. It was great to watch the morning sunlight work it's way down the back side of Hayden Peak... what an incredible piece of rock.
What else? Bugs were mostly subdued, especially in the morning... definitely still not gone yet. Oh and if you like the alpine cirque views definitely camp on the north side of the lake. The spots aren't as nice but the view and fishing is top notch.
And the pics...
Hayden Peak from my breakfast spot at the unnamed lake south of Kermsuh
Kermsuh from the north side of the lake, my camp site was on the other side, roughly the center of this photo.
Decent sized brookies were plentiful.
Sheep grazing all over near the trailhead at Christmas Meadows.
Featured image for slideshow: