The Hayden Peak Challenge: A Story of Wildflowers, Rainbows, and Pushing Limits

The Hayden Peak Challenge: A Story of Wildflowers, Rainbows, and Pushing Limits

Amethyst Lake - Hayden Peak VRGetaway

It all started with some beautiful video shots I had of Hayden Peak in the Uinta Mountains. Its majestic beauty was calling to me, and I decided I had to explore it more. I discovered a stunning lake on its backside, Amethyst Lake, and became determined to chase it. The problem? I severely underestimated the hike. What is normally a multi-day backpacking trip, I decided to tackle in a single, grueling day. This is the story of that adventure—of pushing my body to its limits, struggling with new camera technology, and discovering that sometimes the journey *around* a mountain is just as rewarding as standing on its summit.

The Golden Nugget 🌟

Don't Miss This: The last mile to Amethyst Lake. The 14-mile round trip is a serious challenge, but the final approach to the lake basin is absolutely breathtaking. The scenery becomes so stunningly beautiful that it makes every difficult step worth it.

TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO THE HIGH UINTAS

Grab your VR headset and join me to explore the glorious Hayden Peak for a wonderful positive boost from nature. This VR Getaway enjoys views of this majestic mountain, its surrounding wildflowers and lakes, and even a fantastic rainbow that appeared just for us! It's the perfect virtual escape to a beautiful area.

"...my knees and ankles were about ready to give out when I dragged myself to the car."

Adventure at a Glance

• 🏞️ Location: High Uintas Wilderness, Utah
• 🚶‍♀️ Activity: Strenuous Hiking, Paddleboarding
• ⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
• ☀️ Best For: Alpine scenery, challenging day hikes, wildflowers, solitude.
• ⏳ Recommended Time: A very full, long day for Amethyst Lake; or a more relaxed day for the shorter hikes.
• 🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: Amethyst Lake, Ruth Lake, Butterfly Lake, Pass Lake.

My Hayden Peak Story

My goal was to explore all around Hayden Peak. I decided against hiking the peak itself, as being so close can sometimes diminish a mountain's majesty, and I heard the final scramble was a bit scary. Instead, I set my sights on Amethyst Lake. The 14-mile round trip hike to its nearly 11,000-foot perch was a massive undertaking for a single day. I started at 4:30 AM and didn't drag myself back to the car until early evening, completely exhausted. But the views in that final mile to the lake were so stunning, it took my breath away.

A Creator's Struggle: The New Camera Test

This trip was also my first real test of the new Insta360 RS 1-inch camera, and I was excited to use its Log/Lut color features. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that the feature wasn't quite ready. I struggled to correct the colors in post-production, and many low-light shots had a strange green or blue tint or overly red skin tones. I had to throw away a lot of footage. It was a frustrating, but valuable, learning experience!

Other Gems Around Hayden Peak

Besides the big hike, I explored some other beautiful, more accessible spots. Paddleboarding among the yellow lily flowers at Butterfly Lake was a delight, and the easy 2-mile hike to Ruth Lake was a joy, filled with gorgeous wildflowers. Pass Lake is right by the road, but it offers lovely views of Hayden Peak from across its cute little islands.

Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints

• ♦️ Amethyst Lake is a HUGE Day Hike: Be prepared for a long, strenuous day. Start before dawn, pack plenty of food and water, and be ready for changing weather at high elevation. Most people backpack this trail over 2-3 days.
• ♦️ Easier Alternatives: If a 14-mile hike isn't for you, the 2-mile round trip to Ruth Lake offers fantastic wildflower views and is much more family-friendly.
• ♦️ Google Map List: I've created a Google Map list with all these great spots to help you plan your own adventure around Hayden Peak. You can find it here: Google Map List for Hayden Peak

VR Video Treasure Hunt!

• 🔎 The Rainbow: Can you find the lucky moment where a fantastic, full rainbow appeared in the sky?
• 🔎 Butterfly Lake Lilies: Look for the shots of me paddleboarding among the bright yellow lily flowers on Butterfly Lake.
• 🔎 The "Off Color" Shot: I left one shot in from Amethyst Lake where the colors felt a little weird to me from the new camera. Can you spot it?
• 🔎 Ruth Lake Wildflowers: See the beautiful fields of wildflowers on the much easier hike to Ruth Lake.

Conclusion

This adventure around Hayden Peak was a perfect mix of beauty, challenge, and frustration. It pushed me physically, tested me technically with my new gear, and rewarded me with some of the most stunning alpine scenery I've ever seen. It's a powerful reminder that not every adventure goes perfectly to plan, and sometimes the struggle is what makes the final view so much sweeter. I'm so glad I was able to capture the beauty of this area, and I hope it inspires you to get out and tackle your own beautiful challenge.

Sending Love and Positive Vibes,

Shauna from VRGetaways