White Pine Lake
For a while now, we have been talking a lot about trying out backpacking. We decided that if we were going to backpack, we’d start with the tallest peak in Utah. The summit of Kings Peak sits at just over 13,500 feet and the entire hike covers over 25 miles. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate, and we had to adjust our plans. While we wanted to go big, sometimes it’s best to start small. We altered our plans and decided on White Pine Lake. White Pine Lake is about a 4-mile hike from Tony Grove Lake, which is between Logan and Bear Lake
While we hike often, we do not carry 30+ pounds of gear with us. As this was our first backpacking trip as amateurs, we needed to invest in some backpacking gear. With backpacking, it’s best to keep your gear light. Unfortunately, light usually equated to more expensive. We found some reasonably good deals on Amazon.com that were lighter instead on lightest.
Packing
It’s important to bring what you need, but not to bring anything you don’t. This causes a dilemma as there are things you could potentially need. Knowing the weather helps in determining what to pack, but you should also pack for the unexpected. While the weather may show sun, it’s important to pack for any potential bad weather like rain, cold, or wind. Clothes are light, but can take up a lot of room. Packing clothes that can be easily compressed is helpful. Packing a backpack seems to be a learning process. Everyone packs a little different.
Gear List
- Backpack 2 lbs. (MOUNTAINTOP 40L Hiking Backpack)
- We used our backpacks from our Europe trip
- Tent 3 lbs. (OneTigris HILLRIDGE Backpacking Tent)
- This tent can be setup with hiking poles which save weight or additional poles can be purchased
- Ground Tarp 0.5 lbs. (Clostnature Tent Footprint)
- Tarp Cover
- We bought one from Walmart to cover our tent and gear if it rains
- Hiking Poles (Covacure Hiking Poles Collapsible Trekking Poles)
- Water Filter (Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter)
- This works great to fill up in streams as you hike and for camp.
- Chair 2.4 lbs. (Sportneer Lightweight Portable Folding Camping Chair)
- Not required, but definitely recommended
- Sleeping Pad 1.9 lbs. (Sleeping Pad, Ultralight Inflatable Sleeping Pad for Camping with Pillow)
- Sleeping Bag 1.7 lbs. (ZOOOBELIVES Ultralight Backpacking 32-50F Down Sleeping Bag)
- Clothes
- Toiletries
- Food
- Meals and snacks
- We like the Moutain House Meals (Beef Stroganoff & Beef Stew)
- Jetboil
- Meals and snacks
- Bear Spray (SABRE Frontiersman 7.9 fl oz. Bear Spray)
- Light (KIZEN Solar Camping Lantern)
Parking
You will park at the top parking lot that is nearest to Tony Grove Lake. There is a $15 a night fee to park near the lake, but it saves you from parking further down the trail and adding on multiple miles to the hike. We were unsure if we would stay 1 or 2 nights, so we paid for 2. The fee does need to be paid in cash, so it is best to carry increments of $15.
Hiking In
The hike in is about 4 miles. It actually ends up being about 2 miles of gradual climb and 2 miles of a steeper descent and leveling off at the end. This up and down works out nicely as once you are about halfway, it’s all downhill. The first half is mostly uncovered, while the second half in mostly covered with trees. There’s a small stream on the way up and you’ll cross a bigger stream a few times on the way down in. After crossing a bridge, you’ll reach a sign that points to White Pine Lake. Either trail going left will reach the lake. Be prepared for an odd sensation when you remove your pack. Your legs will notice that you are now a lot lighter.
Camping at White Pine Lake
On the way to the lake, you will pass by a number of campsites. We reached the lake and followed the path to a site a little further from the water as the bugs are worse the closer to the water you camp. If you follow the main trail, by following the sign, you will end up at the lake and off to the right there is a small spring. This is where we collected our water and I’m still alive, so it must be okay. It’s always best to gather water from moving sources.
Try to find a site where there is some tree coverage for your tents. It’s best to choose trees that aren’t dead and that might possibly fall in the near future. There are plenty of dead trees for campfires and it’s best to bring an axe. Choosing a site with some coverage provides shade and shelter from the rain. It’s also helpful if you can find a spot near the spring.
Things To Do at White Pine Lake
There are a number of things to do at White Pine Lake. The most obvious is fishing, which most people didn’t seem to find much success. You can walk around the lake, but it does require a little bit of bushwhacking as the trail is not well established. When we were there, you could cross back over a fallen tree. There is also a cave on the far side of the lake that can be accessed by scaling a somewhat steep path of fallen rocks. The climb up to the cave was a bit scary, but the cave and the views were worth seeing once.
Hiking Out
When hiking out, chose the closest of the two trails that lead out. Hiking out does require more effort as the incline portion is much steeper in the first half. It’s helpful to remember that you only need to hike up for the first half and that the second half is a gradual descent.