Backpacking - Ruth Lake, Uintahs 8/2-3/24

Best first backpacking trip! 1 mile in to a beautiful lake with lots of side trip options.

Sample Itinerary:

Day 1 -

Ruth Lake Trailhead - 3 pm

Hike in - 3-430 pm

Camp and set up - 430 pm

Dinner - 5 pm

Day 2 -

Hike to Jewell Lake (1-2 hrs)

Pack up and head home

Directions - Ruth Lake Trailhead, Mirror Lake Hwy, Uintahs. Parking in two parking lots next to the road or on road parking.

Cost - Recreation Fee: $6 (pay cash at kiosk or FREE if you have a National Parks Pass)

Activity -

Backpacking Ruth Lake - 0.9 mile hike to lake. Slight uphill dirt and rock trail. Cross over stone bridge. Pass by small pond that is on your left. Follow trail to Ruth Lake. There is a sign that says “ Ruth Lake” Take a left when you get to the lake for the best camping. Second option is at Naomi Lake on rt upper side of Ruth Lake. (Make sure you camp 100 ft from water to protect the waters edge) Hang food - Bear country. All Trails Trip Report

Day Hike to Jewell Lake - trail starts on the north-west side of Ruth Lake. Trail is VERY tricky to find without a topo map or topo app (Gaia). We left cairns at the beginning section, passes Naomi lake and goes to the left of a couple ponds before dropping down into the small basin surrounding the lake. You can circumnavigate the lake. The trail follows under the cliffs on the right side. did a day hike to Jewel lake. Took some route finding to locate trail. The trail on All Trails to Jewel Lake was incorrect but the comments were helpful in finding the trail. Many people camping there. Found a great established campsite away from the lake and others.

Bathrooms - Trailhead

Cell Reception - No/Patchy - 1 bar at lake and trailhead

Dogs - Yes

Gear -  Thin T-shirt, thin long-sleeve shirt, fleece, puffy coat, rain jacket, shorts or hiking pants, swimming suit, running shoes, hiking boots, 2 L water, water filter (can rent), 8-10 snacks, 65+ liter backpack with waistbelt, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, first aid kit, sleeping bag (warmest you can get - down is preferred) (can rent), sleeping pad (can rent), tent (can rent), headlamp, pj's, toiletries, dehydrated or backpacking meals.

Rentals - (2 day) -

• Tents (2 man - $13, 4 man - $22 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; 2 man - $14, 4 man - $18 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

• Sleeping bags (0 degree - $22, 30 degree - $22 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; 0 degree - $14, 30 degree - $10 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

• Sleeping pads (thermarest - $9 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; thermarest - $8 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

• Backpacks (85 liter - $12 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; 65 liter - $14 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

• Stove with fuel ($8 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; $8 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

• Mess kit ($8 BYU Outdoors Unlimited; $10 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

• Water Filter ($6 UVU Outdoor Adventure Center)

Ruth Lake

Jewell Lake