Emerald Lake (Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Emerald Lake |
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Emerald Lake below the Timpanogos Glacier, August 2007
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 Emerald Lake
Location in Utah
Emerald Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mount Timpanogos Wilderness Utah County, Utah, United States |
| Coordinates | 40°23′35″N 111°38′23″W / 40.39306°N 111.63972°W |
| Type | proglacial lake |
| Primary inflows | snowmelt and glacial runoff |
| Primary outflows | unnamed stream (a tributary of North Fork Provo River) |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface elevation | 10,397 feet (3,169 m) |
Emerald Lake is a beautiful small lake found high up on Mount Timpanogos in Utah, United States. It's a special type of lake called a proglacial lake. This means it was formed by a glacier that has since melted away.
You can find Emerald Lake in the middle of the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness. This area is part of the Wasatch Range mountains.
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About Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake sits at the base of Mount Timpanogos's steep northeast side. It is very high up, at an elevation of about 10,397 feet (3,169 m).
How the Lake Formed
Long ago, a large Timpanogos Glacier was here. As the glacier moved, it pushed rocks and dirt, forming a big pile called a terminal moraine. When the glacier melted, this moraine acted like a natural dam. It held back the water, creating Emerald Lake.
Today, the lake gets its water from melting snow and a rock glacier. A rock glacier is a slow-moving mix of ice and rocks. The minerals from these rocks give the lake its pretty blue color.
Visiting Emerald Lake
You can reach Emerald Lake by hiking. The most popular path is the Mount Timpanogos Trail, also known as the Aspen Grove Trail. This trail starts from Aspen Grove.
The hike to the lake is about 6.9 miles (11.1 km) long. It's roughly two-thirds of the way to the very top of Mount Timpanogos.
Safety on the Mountain
During busy summer weekends, a group called the Timpanogos Emergency Response Team (TERT) helps hikers. Volunteers from TERT set up a camp near Emerald Lake. They are there to assist with any emergencies that might happen on the mountain.
The Legend of Emerald Lake
There's a local story, or legend, about Emerald Lake. Some versions of The Legend of Timpanogos say that the lake is connected to a character named Red Eagle. The legend tells that Red Eagle fell from the peak of Mount Timpanogos. The lake is said to be a way he became immortal.
