West of Anderson Pass and Kings Peak, the Uinta Highline Trail changes character. I camped out in the Naturalist Basin about .4 miles from Blue Lake. Easy. There are great views of the lakes below from the desolate ridges with the occasional pockets of dense pine. That’s much slower than normal for me, but I’m hiking with a less seasoned backer and I want her to enjoy herself. QB and I will be attempting to do it in 5 days, but first we… Backpacking: 24: Jan 8, 2018: Vernal, Utah Uinta Highline Trail shuttle offer: Noobs: Introduce yourself! Designated Trail Highline Trail Wilderness Boundary Unpaved Road High Clearance Road TH WARNING: Do not use this map for wilderness travel. Supervisor's Office (801) 999-2103 857 West South Jordan Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095 Mon-Fri:8:00am - 4:30pm. Milk Lake Dam Loop via Yellowstone Trail and Uinta Highline Trail. I strolled along until I came to a hulking brown form blocking the path, where I stared at three pairs of eyes twenty feet ahead. Watch as the ancient history of the trail is woven together with the personal history of each of the hikers as they get back in touch with the world, and each other. I live in Florida and I didn’t count on the altitude effect, which generally made the entire hike harder. Duh. There are some really incredible vistas on the hike with lakes and mountains. Big help. The Unita Highline Trail is a remote trial extending east to west as it roughly follows the ridge-line of the Uinta Mountains in northeast Utah. In theory it's a great zone: the only east-west oriented major range in the US with tons of great peaks, high elevation, and despite a bit of road access, most of it is quite remote. It’s a short section, but … It was a beautiful hike overall though. Contact Information. 2. WILDERNESS AMERICA’S RESOURCE ENDURING High Uintas Wilderness Ashley National Forest The Highline Trail is a 96 mile route crossing most of the Uinta range, to an easterly start point along US 191 between Vernal and Flaming Gorge NRA. The nighttime stars were simply unbelievable. At mile 62, we reach a junction and a choice: take the official Highline Trail and drop into forest to quickly reach the trailhead (mile 73.4), or extend our vista trek by detouring on the Head of Rock Creek Trail. The Uintas are no different, with the Unita Highline Trail running east-west along ridges and through passes, grazing the high point, and rarely dipping below 10,500 feet. Great hike. This amazingly remote run takes adventurers through the heart of the High Uinta Wilderness. About the Uinta Highline Trail The trail runs 104 miles east to west, which I’d love to crank out in 5–6 days (17–21 miles per day, which is what I averaged on the JMT). East Park Reservoir via Uinta Highline Trail. Uinta Highline trail - East to West - Mission Accomplished! The Sound of Silence Trail. Runtime: 117 minutes Uinta Highline Trail and Chain Lakes-Atwood Loop. Great day hike with easy trail and minor slope that is doable by young kids (at least to Bonnie Lake). Hades Pass via Hades-Rocky Sea Pass Trail. 5 stars = spectacular hike You do pass through a portion that was burned out from a forest fire, which is eerie yet beautiful. It's a trail I've had my eye on ever since moving to northern Utah a few years ago. This trailhead makes for the longest hike and easiest logistics, but the first 15-20 miles are mostly a forest walk, and don't really fit the high alpine theme of the rest of the route. The 104 mile Uinta Highline Trail in Utah does not disappoint! Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Over time, we've gained knowledge about this area and we want to share it with anyone interested in hiking this trail so that they can have a safe and memorable trip. 4 stars = lovely hike, would happily do again The Uinta Highline Trail is a trail in the Uinta Mountains of Utah that traverses the range 104 miles from east to west. 3 stars = enjoyed the hike, but not inclined to revisit. I’ll be back for that. This site is dedicated to helping travelers prepare for and execute a successful trip on the Highline Trail. Detailed maps are available from the Forest Service and outdoor retailers. Simply put, I flew in that same day from Florida, rented a car in Salt Lake, and drove straight to the trailhead. One of the few mountain ranges in the lower 48 that run horizontal. Lots of bugs, but I read some other reviews and brought a face net for when I set up camp. For each of us, our first experience on the trail was unbelievable! There are amazing views, peak climbing opportunities, wildlife, fishing, lakes—this one has it all! Very nice hike bugs are still out but only bothered us when we stop for water and snacks. But, as any aspiring UHT hiker will soon find out, transportation is a problem. Our team has spent a significant amount of their lives in the High Uinta Wilderness of northeastern Utah. It only crosses to the north for one drainage – the West Fork of the Blacks Fork between Red Knob and Dead Horse Pass. Really great trail for the most part, it sorta ends a little before shaler lake, but it’s pretty obvious where to go. on the east end, or at Mirror Lake on State Route 150 on the west end. Uinta Highline Trail 2017 This was the third year my brother, Andrew, and I decided to go for an approximately week-long hike, the week before Labor Day Weekend. Maybe a mile of the trail travels through a wild land fire burn scar but most of the trail is tree sheltered and only steep climbs out of Naturalist Basin. When faced with a quandary, always take the high road. Snow at Blue Lake, no significant issues to report. We have developed a love for this region that can't be described in words. There are three options: The "true" trailhead on Highway 191 (105 miles). Hiked to Blue Lake beyond Naturalist Basin with the dog. One trek across Utah's Uinta Highline Trail. Skiing the Uinta Highline Trail I have tried a good number of times to embrace the Uinta Mountains. The broad ridges and passes of the east change to rugged notches and arêtes. I barely slept at all, I think the fact my heart was pumping harder from the high altitude had an effect. Length Beginning at McKee Draw in the east and ending at Hayden Pass on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, the official length of the Uinta Highline trail is 107 miles. August 22, 2015 . The trail crosses the divide many times to find a hiking route among the rough country. The 104 mile Uinta Highline Trail in Utah does not disappoint! In contrast, the Highline Trail runs east/west near the center spine of the range and crosses over many high passes along the way. With hundreds of miles of mapped trails, the High Uintas Wilderness map can guide you off the beaten path and back again. Some of our favorites are Kings Peak,Sound of Silence, Tokewanna Peak, and Uinta Highline Trail. Read about my complete Uinta Highline Trail experience, including prep, gear, logistics, and post-hike impressions. The way Though this trail is within striking distance of Salt Lake, you’ll need … As of this writing, only black bears inhabit the Uintas, and there is a general understanding that they rarely come up above 9000 feet or so. Those 100 miles of untouched wilderness make it very difficult to get from one end to the other. One of the best hikes I've ever done anywhere in the world! A baby deer wandered right into my campsite and I saw a few other deer in the area too. Near Leidy Peak (12,028-feet), the boys consulted the map as I passed by and walked into a dense conifer forest. Highline Trail is a 101.6 mile heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Kamas, Utah that features a lake and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. DIFFICULT 35.4 mi. The trail largely follows the ridgeline and offers great views of the valleys. Dogs are also able to use this trail. It can begin east of Leidy Peak at Hwy 191 just north of Vernal. See why on the 78-mile Highline Trail, which arrows right along the spine of the Uintas, seldom dipping below timberline as it traverses a range with more than 100 summits topping 12,000 feet. Because each traveler has unique challenges and expectations, we have designed this page to be a comprehensive resource for everything associated with the Highline Trail. I didn’t make it the entire length so I probably missed the best part - Blue and Shaler lakes. At the trailhead, I hoisted my 38-pound pack and proceeded up trail number 025. Because each traveler has unique challenges and expectations, we have designed this page to be a comprehensive resource for everything associated with the Highline Trail. This site is dedicated to helping travelers prepare for and execute a successful trip on the Highline Trail. Before packing up, I wandered over to get a closer look at the reservoir. A handy chart notes each trailhead, the number of parking spaces at the trailhead, and the facilities available there including horse ramps, corrals, water, toilets, and developed campsites. 3. Skinner Cutoff Trail Via Duchesne River Trail, East Fork Duchesne River Trail to Pinto Lake, Duchesne River Trail to Four Lakes Basin to Highline Trail Loop, Duchesne River Trail to Little Deer Creek, Highline Trailhead Loop: Naturalist, Four Lakes and Grandaddy Basins, Pinto, Governor Dern, Allen, Daynes, Thompson, Four Lakes Basin Loop, Uinta Highline Trail to Blue Lake and Shaler Lake. 9: May 22, 2017: Uinta Highline Trail - East to West: Backpacking: 21: Dec 16, 2016: Uinta Highline Trail: Food and Bears. Pretty obvious, just forgot last time and am in pain. Overview. From Vernal, travel east on Highway 40 as it turns south through Naples, then east to Jensen. After researching many options we decided that Uinta Highline Trail would be a great option. The track crosses eight major passes and affords plenty of opportunities for peakbagging detours and sweet layover camps. So my body had zero time to adjust. 2+ miles. https://lonestarhiker.blogspot.com/2015/03/uinta-highline-trail.html One of the best hikes I've ever done anywhere in the world! Start of the Trail The hike to Naturalist Basin begins at the Highline Trailhead, located in the woods on the east side of Highway 150, near 10,347 foot Hayden Pass. Follow the Highline Trail as it weaves over passes and aside lakes, often following dispersed cairns across meadows, … Their preferred habitat lies further out on the outer, lower flanks of the Uintas where their food sources are also more abundant. Begin at the Leidy Peak Trailhead (or for a shorter route begin at Chepeta Lake Trailhead). This amazingly remote hike takes adventurers through the heart of the High Uinta Wilderness. Nevertheless, I've found this to be a more reliable and complete trail guide than any other books I've come across for the High Uintas backcountry. I camped near the junction where you turn to either go to Blue Lake or Shaler Lake. DIFFICULT 31.8 mi. Uinta Highline Trail to Blue Lake and Shaler Lake is a 16.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Kamas, Utah that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. EASY 4.8 mi. Autumn colors should be bold in a couple of weeks. The maps are hand drawn. The trail passes through expansive alpine landscapes dominated by metasedimentary rocks sculpted by past glaciers. Hiked this with younger family from the Mirror Lake campground out to Bonnie Lake and back. The Uinta Highline Trail is a 104 mile trail that goes east to west in Northeast Utah from McKee Draw trailhead to Hayden Pass trailhead(or vice versa). 4. They blinked. Uinta Highline Trail Day 2: East Park Reservoir to Summit Park August 26, 2017 Daily distance: 16.14 Cumulative distance: 20.54 I rested well during the night even though it did rain. I blinked. RATING KEY We awoke to a beautiful but chilly morning. The Uinta Highline Trail crosses most of the length of the Uinta Mountains, the only major east-west mountain range in the United States. The Uintas have notoriously dark skies for great stargazing, so don't forget to check them out. My hike on the Uinta Highline Trail will cover 65 miles over 5½ days. 14 miles (35.5 km) in, the trail climbs above 10,000 feet (3,048 m) and stays above that elevation for the next 82 miles (132 km) with only a … The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, horses, and backpacking and is best used from July until September. Begin at the Leidy Peak Trailhead (or for a shorter route begin at Chepeta Lake Trailhead). The Highline Trail … Uinta Highline Trail to Blue Lake and Shaler Lake is a 16.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Kamas, Utah that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Day hike from Mirror Lake to Blue Lake (15miles). Bring bug spray. Leidy Peak/Hacking Lake trailhead (80 miles). Few if any bugs (I didn’t see any but maybe they like you more than me). My heart pounded as the unknown shape morphed into three female elk that bolted––one l… The Uinta Highline Trail is a world-class adventure and is becoming more popular every year. The Uinta High Route In basic terms, the popular Highline Trail parallels the Uinta Crest, staying almost entirely on the south side. A beautiful and unique view can be found around each corner, and for us, that is something we want to share with you. This has better trail descriptions gives trail mileages more frequently, especially for the Highline Trail. 5. Gladys Lake. We hiked up to Blue Lake 11 miles round trip. Simply stated, this is not only the great mountain trail of Utah, it's one of the best in the nation. There are amazing views, peak climbing opportunities, wildlife, fishing, lakes—this one has it all! 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