We scouted Teapot Lake a week in advance to see what sites were available.

We found the perfect spot for our operation, so we packed up and headed out for a night on the lake.

Teapot Lake is located in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.  One of the hundreds you’ll run into, this one has a fairly easy trail that wraps around the shore topping out at a total of one mile with little elevation gain. 

There are plenty of fish, and plenty of mosquitoes. 

DO NOT forget your bug spray on this one. 

Backpacking and Prep

My backpack is the REI Flash 58 purchased back in 2015.  While it has been priceless, this year the metal frame broke through the bottom of the pack, putting a lot of pressure on strange parts of the pack and my back. Looks like I’ll be in the market for a new pack this coming fall. 

The pack, otherwise, has lots of space.  Generally I’m packing 30-45 pounds of camera gear, food and supplies.  The Flash can hold two camera bodies, 3 lenses, misc camera gear, sleeping bag, mosquito net, sunscreen, bug spray, a set of clothing and our kitchenette which holds pans, oil, seasonings, plates, cutting board, utensils and soap.

The Hike

Teapot Lake has no established campsites, only a few primitive dispersed (here’s a link for details regarding dispersed camping in the uintas). Nearby is Lily Lake Campground. But with a little luck, we were able to find a beautiful spot tucked back from the trail. 

Due to an injured back in recovery, our trek across took a little more time. Ronny left me to establish camp while he returned to the car to inflate the boat, and row the remaining gear over.  

Day on Teapot Lake

We love ourselves a Jimmy John‘s sandwich to have when we get to camp.  It’s a quick grab on our drive up the canyon and stays fresh for a surprising amount of time when kept correctly. Lunch in our bellies, we headed out on the lake where the hours seemed to blend and before we knew it, it was time to get camp set up.  

We set up a temporary mosquito net enclosure to help lower the amount of karate-chopping of flies we had to do.  After another fishing excursion, we returned to the camp and started filtering our water for the night. 

Dinner was steak and vegetables for Ronny.  Whittling a few sticks into skewers, he slow-roasted them over the open fire (here is a link to any active fire restrictions in the uintas). For Kariann, tuna and vegetables. We weeped the vegetables in a tupperware all day on the hike and they were perfectly softened and seasoned by the time it was dinner. 

Retiring for the night into the tent, we shared Oreos and took photos of the stars.

Our one night stay was so tranquil and unbothered. A few reminders to store food and waste properly while in the mountain homes of wildlife, make sure your fire is DEAD OUT, cold to the touch.  

Budget

Lunch Jimmy Johns – 14.42

Groceries at Smiths – 20

Food/Drink – 25

Dinner

Weeped Vegetable Medley, Steak, can of Tuna

Uintas 3 day pass – 6

Total Cost – 65.42