Hike Mount Marsell via Lofty Lake Loop Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, UT

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The Lofty Lake Loop Trail is a popular hike that visits some great viewpoints and lakes, but I wanted to include a couple of peaks located just off the trail, Mount Marsell being the featured one. Starting from the Lofty Lake Trailhead, I headed along the loop counter-clockwise, pretty forest and nice switchbacks leading past Picturesque Lake and Scout Lake, the latter larger and with an excellent backdrop. The trail then climbed a bit more steeply to the basin housing Lofty Lake.

Rather than continue along the trail down to Lofty Lake, I made a detour over Peak 11158, a rocky hump that actually had excellent views. The ridgeline ascent had lots of Class 2 boulder-hopping, and rather than stick to the crest on my way down on the other side, I dropped onto a grassy slope that brought me back to the Lofty Lake Trail. The views continued to be excellent and it was clear why this trail is as popular as it is.

Soon I reached the base of Mount Marsell, where I pondered briefly why I'm incapable of just enjoying a nice loop hike and instead feel the insatiable need to get to some high point. Leaving the trail again, I headed up the steep southeast slope of the peak. I pretty much followed the same route up and back since keeping too far to the right felt more like bushwhacking and too far left had excessive boulders. There's a sweet spot that worked wonderfully and I was soon on the ridgeline of Mount Marsell, which was clear of trees until the summit. Unfortunately the views were minimal up top, but they were the best of the day on the way up.

Back on the Lofty Lake Trail, I descended past Kamas Lake and continued through the forest. I kept left at the Cuberant Lake Trail junction, passed some more small lakes, and then emerged into Reid's Meadow, a delightful viewpoint of Reids Peak with a gorgeous foreground. The trail then ascended a bit back to the trailhead, completing the loop.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)

Peaks on hike

Elevation

Prominence

Peak 11158

11158 ft

508 rise

Mount Marsell

11340 ft

993 rise

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Starting along the Lofty Lake Loop.

A view back, Bald Mountain and Reids Peak visible through the trees.

Passing Picturesque Lake.

Scout Lake.

The trail ascends a bit more steeply, Peak 11158 seen ahead. The trail leads to the pass on the left.

View back toward Scout Lake after reaching the pass.

From the pass, I left the trail to reach Peak 11158.

On my way up to Peak 11158, view back toward the pass. It's a bit of Class 2 bouldery stuff to reach the summit.

Wide shot of Bald/Reids (left), Lofty Lake, and Mount Marsell (right).

Heading down from the summit of Peak 11158, view toward Mount Marsell. I dropped off the ridge to get back to the Lofty Lake Trail.

View back toward Peak 11158 after reaching the trail again.

Excellent views along the Lofty Lake Trail, Cutthroat Lake seen below.

Approaching the base of Mount Marsell.

Steep ascent up Mount Marsell.

View back toward Peak 11158.

You can usually avoid all brush and excessive rockiness, this being the worst of it (at least the way I went).

A shot back down, Kamas Lake seen on the right.

Close-up toward Lofty Lake and Peak 11158.

Along the ridgeline.

Summit of Mount Marsell, view toward Bald Mountain and Reids Peak.

Back on the trail, heading down toward Kamas Lake.

Passing Kamas Lake.

After passing Kamas Lake, the trail is mostly forested. Seen ahead is a small pond, a break from the forest.

And then the trail emerged into Reids Meadow. Bald Mountain seen on the right.

Reids Meadow.

Gorgeous meadow with Reids and Bald in the background.

The trail ascends a bit back to the trailhead. This is a view back, Mount Marsell seen on the left.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!