Littleknown, and littletravelled, it is a great destination for hikers seeking altitude. It traverses about 70 miles, and requires a bit over 15,000 feet of vertical gain and corresponding. Backpacking the 83mile uinta highline trail rootsrated. Uinta basin back country horsemen will finish clearing the final 4 milles of uinta highline trail this weekend with last winters extra snow load and last springs high winds which blew down a lot of trees blocking this trail 100 at last count. The highline trail in the uinta mountains is one of the best mountain trails in the state. See why on the 78mile highline trail, which arrows right along the spine of the uintas, seldom dipping below timberline as it traverses a range with more.
Its something i have always wanted to do and with both of us in our midtolate fifties it seemed like if were going to do this we needed to do it now, before we got too old. Its also a much lesser known trail in comparison to many of the trail throughout the country. The uinta highline trail is a beautiful and worthwhile adventure, however its much more rugged and remote than trails like the john muir trail. Planning to hike the uinta highline trail in northeast utah c. Learn more about the national forest foundation at. The uinta range, in northwest utah, is utahs highest range, and a western extension of the rocky mountains. It traverses about 70 miles, and requires a bit over 15,000 feet of vertical gain and corresponding vertical loss. My experience backpacking on the uinta highline trail in utah. A hiking and backpacking guide to the high uintas wilderness. Mountainpranas 2008 uinta highline trail journal first previous next last. Dinosaur national monument is located on the southeast flank of the uinta mountains on. Its something i have always wanted to do and with both of.
In the early part of 2016 my brother, brent, and i decided to plan and execute a backpacking trip along the uinta highline trail. Dinosaur national monument is located on the southeast flank of the uinta mountains on the border between colorado and utah. Highline trail glacier national park 2020 all you need to. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from june until october. As such, it is home to some very notewor thy hiking, namely the highline trail which follows the spine of the uintas for about 85 miles from the western trailhead at castle lake to the eastern terminus of 12,028foot leidy peak. This book is your complete guide on fishing,trails,springs etc. The uinta highline trail traverses the entire range and is a popular backpacking trail.
Five friends embark on a tenday journey on the incredible uinta highline trail in northern utah. Big thanks to marcus selig for guesting on this months show. The uinta highline trail is an east to west, 104 mile long trail that truly is a special place. It is a true wilderness trail, and does not intersect a road for at.
The trail is around 100 miles long, but most backpacking trips are done over a 70 mile section between chepeta lake and hayden pass. Welltraveled 19thcentury explorer ferdinand hayden called utahs vast uinta mountainswith their gorgeous pine forests, highalpine meadows, and graceful symmetryhis favorite. Feb 08, 2017 welltraveled 19thcentury explorer ferdinand hayden called utahs vast uinta mountainswith their gorgeous pine forests, highalpine meadows, and graceful symmetryhis favorite range. I get quite a few questions on it from time to time. Many people arent aware that the trail continues east of the leidy peak trailhead. Near leidy peak 12,028feet, the boys consulted the map as i passed by and walked into a dense conifer forest. Highline trail along the continental divide is arguably one of the best day hikes in north america including the kalalau trail from logan pass to the loop is 11. I tried to find someone who was up to the challenge and could take a week off work to go with me. The highest continuous established trail in the uintas is. Uinta highline trail east to west mission accomplished. The path climbs very gradually for about a mile before emerging from the trees on the edge of a wide green meadow with the picturesque cliffs of the uinta crest behind it.
The highest mountains, the unique alpine ecosystem, and the largest designated wilderness in utah are all. Aug 23, 2009 apple pies 2009 uinta highline trail journal starting in uinta canyon exiting at mirror lake. Aug 27, 2016 the highline trail is a 100 mile trail that runs the length of the high uinta mountains in northern utah. It crosses the eastwest extent of the high uintas wilderness. You wont reach it until you have crossed the uinta divide at gunsight pass. Using the backdrop of northeastern utahs majestic uinta mountains, smead weaves a tale of five friends all veterans of the appalachian trail, the pacific coast trail and many other longtrail. It is a true wilderness trail, and does not intersect a road for at least 70 miles. This hike, in the heart of one of the most picturesque valleys of the. My son and i just hiked the uinta highline trail in utah one end to the other last month. The oftenbouldery track crosses nine major passes and seldom dips below 10,500 feet.
This is hopefully a straightforward description that answers those questions. In 2016 my brother brent and i embarked on a highly ambitious goal to do the entire length of the uinta highline trail in the uinta mountains. Highline follows 5 hikers as they traverse a lesser known mountain range in utah call the uinta. Our cast and crew were composed of very experienced backpackers. Easier to say mags than trying to pronounce the last name. Hiking the highline trail in the high uintas of northern utah. Officially the entire trail is between hayden pass and highway 191 105 miles. Polly scotland at the trailhead, i hoisted my 38pound pack and proceeded up trail number 025. The maps are detailed and have the trail outlined well with the data guide giving mileage between trail junctions, water, and mountain passes. Aside from residing in the coolest of the 50 states, the high uintas exist under a wilderness designation, leaving it void of roads and machinery. In italian, the name is pronounced monnyantee, like lasagna.
The trailhead at hacking lake, the eastern terminus of the uinta highline trail. This is a complete rewriting of the original high uinta trails, first published in 1974. Hikers travel all or part of 60 miles through classic alpine and subalpine utah. This very remote trail is one of the most remarkable trails in the nation. The uinta highline trail is a trail in the uinta mountains of utah that traverses the range 104 miles 167 km from east to west. High uinta wildernessthree emotioncharged words that describe a very precious place. Highline trail glacier national park 2020 all you need.
Follow the highline trail as it weaves over passes and aside lakes, often following dispersed cairns across meadows, tundra, and talus slopes. The word uinta comes from the ute native american tribe word pronounced yoovwe. Hikers commonly start at one of these trailheads to shorten the westward hike to hayden pass to 79 miles or 66 miles, respectively. It only crosses to the north for one drainage the west fork of the blacks fork between red knob and dead horse pass. Unusually, it runs eastwest rather than northsouth. In basic terms, the popular highline trail parallels the uinta crest, staying almost entirely on the south side. Highline is a feature length film about 5 friends who embark on a 10 day journey across the uinta mountains in northern utah. The more i studied the high line trail on the map the more enticing this idea became. The only hike out of the 99 that is focused on backpacking is the 99th, the highline trail. This has better trail descriptions gives trail mileages more frequently, especially for the highline trail. The highline trail in the uinta mountains of utah, often called the uinta highline trail uht, captured my imagination since someone, and i took a trip to the nearby dinosaur national monument this. The highest mountains, the unique alpine ecosystem, and the largest designated wilderness in utah are all found here. The trail is primarily used for hiking and fishing and is best used from july until september. Backpacking the uinta high route dan ransom photography.
The highline trail can be taken in bitsize pieces by going up numerous drainages that contain side trails, hiking a portion of the highline, and dropping down another drainage. I have taken the dwr listing of all stocking done during 2019, and separated out those. This book is the number one selling trail guide on the high uinta mountains. It only crosses to the north for one drainage the west fork of the. Begin at the leidy peak trailhead or for a shorter route begin at chepeta lake trailhead. Nevertheless, ive found this to be a more reliable and complete trail guide than any other books ive come across for the high uintas backcountry. Apr 06, 2020 chris smead is raising funds for highline. The uinta highline trail is an 83mile, eightmountainpass journey that. Dec 01, 2000 this book is the number one selling trail guide on the high uinta mountains.
Aug 04, 2007 august 45, 2007 70 miles the uinta mountain range in utah is one of the few ranges in north america that runs east to west. The information it provides is priceless, and is compiled in an easy to understand format. Views of every kinddistant horizons, nearby wildlife, isolated lake basinsare better on ridgeline hikes. Uinta river trail april 30, 2019 uiinta basin back country horsemen has agreed to help move uinta canyon trail away from beaver ponds this will allow the beavers to do what they do best. Backpackers, day hikers, horsemen, and fishermen will all benefit from this comprehensive trail guide. Mags is a family nickname that goes back to at least my grandfather. As such, it is home to some very notewor thy hiking, namely the highline trail which follows the. I admit i would have preferred some more accurate mapping. It was to be a monumental journey that would begin at the east end of the trail at mckee draw just outside of the flaming gorge national recreation area. The lands through which the wind river high route passes are managed by bridgerteton national.
Aside from residing in the coolest of the 50 states, the high uintas exist under a wilderness. Sep 04, 2015 the uinta highline trail the uintas in northeastern utah are a pretty special place. The uinta highline trail the uintas in northeastern utah are a pretty special place. What hikers see is the very best of alpine and subalpine utah. Dec 12, 2016 the trailhead at hacking lake, the eastern terminus of the uinta highline trail. Overloaded on the uinta highline trail mediocre mountaineering. And the king of the hill is the highline trail, which runs 78 eastwest miles. May 14, 2020 wolf creek pass open 2019 dwr stocking of high uintas snow depths the book. Welltraveled 19thcentury explorer ferdinand hayden called utahs vast uinta mountainswith their gorgeous pine forests, highalpine meadows, and graceful symmetryhis favorite range. I felt the desire to explore the uintas in more detail after seeing this highlight reel of the wild places.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. Highline is a feature length film about 5 friends who embark on a 10 day. Uintas hikes best uintas hiking trails 10adventures. Having an unusual last name of italian origin leaves many english speakers stumped. The uinta mountain range in utah is one of the few ranges in north america that runs east to west. Many past trip reports described some areas of the highline trail as little used and easy to lose, so i was expecting to be relying heavily on my gps and maps. The uinta highline trail runs the length of the high uinta mountain range through the high uintas wilderness in northeastern utah. In its entirety, the trail is more than 100 miles long, however. The trail runs 104 miles east to west, which id love to crank out in 56 days 1721 miles. A feature documentary on the uinta highline trail on kickstarter. This trail follows the spine of utahs uinta wilderness area. Uinta highline trail east to west backcountry post. And the king of the hill is the highline trail, which runs 78 eastwest miles through the 456,705acre high uintas wilderness of northeast utah. The trail passes through expansive alpine landscapes dominated by metasedimentary rocks sculptured by past glaciers.
But full of rich history, amazing views, high altitude and more, its a trail that ought to be on any hikers bucket list. Between the highline trailhead at hayden pass to east park reservoir on the ashley national forest, the trail stretches nearly 100. Uinta highline trail 2003 the high uinta wilderness is the largest wilderness area in the state of utah. Behind the scenes with chris smead uinta highline trail. Its a short section, but almost always the most memorable part of that trail. Using the backdrop of northeastern utahs majestic uinta mountains, smead weaves a tale of five friends all veterans of the appalachian trail, the pacific coast trail and many other long trail excursions tackling the highline trail, a seldomhiked traverse along the uinta mountain crest. Apr 09, 2020 the unita highline trail itself as with previous documentaries, i found the cinematography exquisite. There are amazing views, peak climbing opportunities, wildlife, fishing, lakesthis one has it all. So last winter i began to plan out a trip along the highline trail covering more than the length of the high uintas wilderness area. With joe valesko, tom flanigan, ashley braden, benny braden. Hiking the highline trail in the high uintas of northern. Cordell m andersen a deep dive into the uintah wilderness. So during the inordinately long amount of time that it took me to actually complete my four day journey on the uinta high line trail i put together an ultralight map and data guide for this trail. Continue to the next lake by following the trail up a.