Wasatch-Cache National Forest
Kamas Ranger DistrictMirror Lake Scenic Byway
Human activity and use of the area has been long and varied. Native Americans visited the area in search for game and herbs. Rich deposits of gas, oil, coal, gold and silver drew interest from early explorers and settlers. Gold was mined from the time of Spanish exploration in to the days of Mormon settlement. The forests of the Uintas were harvested for timber, charcoal and railroad ties. Since the 1900's, recreational use of the area has grown as tourist from around the work have taken advantage of the abundant opportunities< for recreation. High altitude ecosystems found along the Byway are home to a
wide range of plants and animals. Variations in elevation, aspect,
soil type, and growing season create diverse habitat. However,
living at high altitude can be challenging. Fragile ecosystems
can be easily damaged. Always practise "leave no trace" guideline
for limiting your personal impact.
Map of the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. To check out other Scenic Byways, explore the Scenic Byway Website at www.byways.org.
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Welcome to one of Utah's unique treasures- The Mirror Lake Scenic
Byway. Winding 42 miles through the Uinta Mountains of the Wasatch-Cache
National Forest, the Byway provides access to one of Utah's most
valuable pieces of high altitude terrain. From Kamas, Utah to Evanston,
Wyoming it is the main access to many of the 400 lakes found in
the Uinta Mountain Range. Though most mountain ranges run north
to south, the Uintas were pushed up into an east-west orientation,
a trait shared by only a few other mountain ranges in the world.