Ryder Lake

Ryder lake is a peaceful getaway in the Uinta Mountains. Due to the hike distance, and it being further in than two other very pretty lakes, there are generally not too many people in the Ryder Basin. No, you will not be alone. But you should be able to find a nice camping spot out of sight and away from the noise of others. On the warm 2014 July 4th weekend, a group of us decided to head up to Ryder Lake. This was the first time in these mountains for one in our group. It was about time they experienced the Uintas. The trail begins in a wide valley that runs along the marshy Christmas meadow. The stream screams to be fished. Sightings of black bears are common in the meadow, though I have not even come across tracks in my wanderings. The trail is clear and pretty well maintained. There are many raised walkways to dodge the swamps and mud, but there are still numerous mud holes to cross. The first two miles are flat and nice. Then the trail quickly enters a tight stretch just after you pass the Forest Service sign. The trail becomes very rocky. After another mile and a half or so, after passing Ostler creek on the left coming down from Amethyst and Ostler Lakes, the canyon opens back up into a nice valley. At about 4/5ths of the way you come to the Stillwater Ford. The overheated and adventurous can remove their shoes and cross the river (creek). The others can take the far more technical, but dry, log crossing. The trail is a steady but gradual uphill climb until about 2 miles from the lake. Then there is a steep climb to the top of the basin shelf. You'll notice once you are on top of this shelf, that the Middle Basin is just one shelf on top of another. This is a result of the way the glaciers carved out this valley. We made camp far off the trail, on a ridge overlooking what I named Ryder Pond. You are not allowed to have fires within a quarter mile of Ryder Lake, so here we could. The view was spectacular. We were right below Agassiz. We never saw anyone else near our campsite. The fishing was very good. And of course, the mosquitos were terrible. The next day we hiked around and fished and had a good time. We hiked around Ryder Pond and found some really cool hollow trees, and a small pond at the foot of Agassiz that was milky azure. Then we hiked up to Ryder Lake. We climbed the next Glacial step up toward McPheters, which gave us an incredible view of Ryder Lake, the basin, and Mt Spread Eagle in the distance. I love waterfalls so I followed the little McPheters runoff stream and was rewarded with many picturesque cascades. Plus, it is more entertaining than just following a trail. We did this as a three night trip. We drove up Thursday evening after work and hiked a few miles and camped. Friday we hiked the rest of the way and fished. Saturday we hiked around the lakes, though we never quite made it to McPheters. Sunday we hiked out and drove home. Done this way, the trip was relaxing and casual. This Basin has options. You can obviously go back the way you came. Or you can go over Hayden Pass to the Highway.