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I heard the Mirror lake highway was open so I decided to head up and see if Trial or any of the other lakes were fishable. So I pull in to the day fee booth and hand the guy $3.00 for the day and he informs me that the day fee is now $6.00 and a year is $45.00. Man what a rip!. So I did the full tour up to Butterfly lake and then back to Trial. All lakes had ice but Trial had some open water that I fished for a while and wasn't able to catch anything. The snow around mirror lake is 3-6' deep but melting fast. A few weeks and things should start to open up.
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If you also go to National Parks the National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass is $80 and cover all the federal lands that charge a fee. I fished Lost Lake just up the road from Trial today with my son. Only about 10% open water but it was opening more in the few hours we were there. Fishing was very fast for small brooks and rainbows once we figured out they were mainly feeding on the bottom. Weather was perfect.
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I am really glad that the snow is holding up up there still. I am not glad that you weren't able to do much fishing, but this snow up there will really help with the fire season. The longer it holds out the wetter the ground will be. All that will make it more resistant to fire.
At the same time though, I can't wait to hike into my favorite brookie and grayling spots. The High Uintas are second to none in beauty, I tell you what.
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I agree line dangler, the roadside lakes are fun but you just can't beat the backcountry. Some of the backcountry lakes last year were a little low this year they should all be full. The only down side of the large amount of snow is the meadows and such get very wet and the mosquito population explodes.
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Beautiful country. Last summer I made my first ever trip up there and it is 2nd to none. I couldn't believe all the people though! So we hiked back a bit to one of those other lakes and we were the only ones there. Loved it. Some folks say that Bigfoot hides out up there : )
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He does, and I actively look for him when I have been drinking.... [:p]
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I am looking for a few good lakes to hike into for fishign with the girlfriend - any you recommend. Really would like to keep it to 3mi or so hike in but for amazing fishing will go further. Thank you in advance.
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I think I may know the perfect places for you. You said that you are looking for a few lakes and a hiking distance of about 3 miles in.
I would wait a couple more weeks for all the snow to clear, get a couple bottles of insect repellent and drive over to the Highland Trail Trailhead. it is about 3 miles north of Mirror Lake, and there is a road sign that points to the parking lot. After a little over 3 miles you will come to Scudder Lake-it has fewer but very descent sized brookies-which not very many people fish. This lake has a nice log that points far into the lake. It was pretty stable when I was there last. You can almost cast into the middle if you walk to the end of the log.
When you have had enough of Scudder Lake or want more action head further dow and you will reach another lake, about a mile further, (I honestly don't remember the name, and I cant find my USGS map for it either). It is a little bigger with more brookies in it.
Walk further down, about 1 1/2 miles, and you will hit a bigger lake, Packard Lake. It is much deeper and holds some fine brooke trout. It is harder to fish becuause of hte vegetation around it but the fish are much bigger. You can keep 8 brook trout per person if you catch at least four. So you and your girlfriend will have a tasty dinner.
The trail is easy to follow unless the signs have been vandalized, whcih happens every so often. But you should still be able to find your way easily.
I will give you some pics. The scenery and fishing is fantastic. Especially if you decide to hike to Packard lake. You will come to a vertical dro-off overlooking the river drainage. It is some rewarding scenery for a short day hike.
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I found the same price increase up American Fork canyon as well, [pirate].
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Ahh my old stomping grounds. I remember running up to AF canyon most every day during summer/fall months and just slaying the trout. As I recall, it was most browns with the occasional decent rainbow in that creek.
Oh yeah, back then there was no charge to drive up the canyon.
Funny what increased population will do.
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Grandaddy Lakes are my favorite. They have the prettiest cutthroats I have ever seen up there; they are pretty decent in size too. Grandaddy Lake is almost exactly 3 miles from the trailhead. The first 2 miles are uphill, which makes for any easy hike back.
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