Grandaddy Basin Out and Back

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Grandaddy Basin is a very popular area in the High Uintas Wilderness due to its proximity to Salt Lake City, its fantastic lakes, and overall gorgeous views. While you might not have the basin to yourself, once you make it past the first few lakes, the number of hikers drops drastically and the landscape offers more solitude. While this hike turns around at Lost Lake, a few more miles is all that's between you and the gorgeous Four Lakes Basin sitting in the shroud of Cyclone Pass and the surrounding mountains.

Beginning at Grandview Trailhead, follow the trail for 2.5 miles on a gradual ascent to Hades Pass where you'll be rewarded with a view of the Grandaddy Basin and Rock Creek Basin.

After enjoying the view, get ready to start your descent to Grandaddy Lake. Grandaddy Lake is reached by mile 4, and there is a junction that either takes you to Lodgepole Lake or Betsy Lake. You're going to want to go to Betsy Lake. At Betsy Lake, keep your eyes peeled for another junction where you'll want to go toward Paradise Lake and Lost Lake.

About 1 mile from Betsy Lake, there is another junction that either takes you to Paradise Lake or Lost Lake—turn toward Lost Lake. Lost Lake is a beautiful lake surrounded by a pine forest and green meadows.