Backpack to Amethyst Lake, High Uintas

Amethyst Lake is a 2-3 day out and back backpacking trip, The hike gains 2000 feet in elevation as you hike 6.5 miles to the lake which is nestled at 11,000 feet right under Ostler Peak.  

The Trailhead starting to Amethyst Lake starts out at the Christmas Meadows campground/ trailhead. Park at the very end of the road at the trailhead. Make sure to pay the 6 dollars at the fee booth, The fee is small but helps pay to keep these places the way they are. Also make sure to register your names at the trailhead! 

For the first 2 miles, the trail to Amethyst Lake meanders along the east side of Christmas Meadows, A peaceful, open grassland that surrounds Stillwater Creek. Being a popular fishing area it is common to see fly fisherman along the creek. Moose and deer fill the meadows around you. 

Shortly after leaving Christmas Meadows you will encounter a Forest Service sign informing you that you are entering the High Uintas Wilderness. 5 minutes past this the trail forks, keep left to reach Amethyst Lake.  This is where the trail starts to steepen.  As you hike through lush trees along a rushing river the trail gains almost 750 feet in elevation in less then a half mile. Hikers carrying a heavy pack need sure to be careful not to roll any ankles as it is rocky steep terrain. After the short, steep, half a mile climb the trail mellows out to a gradual climb that winds through dense trees for the next 2 miles until you reach Amethyst Meadow.  A picturesque wetland filled with small streams, ponds and a view of Ostler Peak on the south side. This is where we decided to make camp for the first night. We found a nice place settled in some pines trees with a small stream running through the middle, which made for a great place to filter our water. The best part about this site was that there was wild strawberries growing all around us. These strawberries were a little small but were the most amazing strawberries I had ever had. Lets say I stayed full the entire time we camped there. We hiked a good 10 mins off the trail to find this amazing campsite.

Amethyst lake is just a fun mile and a half away from Amethyst Meadow. The trail winds along a green wet meadow surrounded by sharp snowy peaks. After gaining 400 feet in elevation you will come over the hill and have perfect view of Amethyst Lake, sitting at 11,000 feet in elevation it is a glacier blue alpine lake nestled under Ostler peak at the head of the Ostler Fork Drainage. This lake makes for some of the greatest fishing, Reel or Fly.  Be sure to pack in what you pack out, and come prepared to have a killer time!