Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Uinta Highline Trail

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Length
  
104 mi (167 km)

Trail difficulty
  
Moderate to strenuous

Uinta Highline Trail Uinta Highline Trail UT Davy Crockett39s Running Frontier

Location
  
Uinta Mountains, Utah, USA

Trailheads
  
McKee Draw, U.S. Route 191 Hayden Pass, Utah Route 150

Highest point
  
Anderson Pass, 12,700 ft (3,871 m)

Lowest point
  
McKee Draw (eastern terminus), 8,240 ft (2,512 m)

Sights
  
Kings Peak (highest peak in Utah), High Uintas Wilderness

Uses
  
Backpacking, Hiking, Equestrianism, Trail running

Uinta highline trail day 1 west fork whiterocks to fox lake


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. The trail passes through expansive alpine landscapes dominated by metasedimentary rocks sculptured by past glaciers. The broad glacial basins are dotted by hundreds of lakes.

Contents

Uinta Highline Trail Highline Trail Climbing Hiking amp Mountaineering SummitPost

Route

Uinta Highline Trail Lone Star Hiker Uinta Highline Trail Western extension

The Uinta Highline Trail extends 104 miles (167 km) along the east-west oriented crest of the Uinta Mountains. The eastern terminus is at McKee Draw along U.S. Route 191, between Flaming Gorge Reservoir and Vernal. The western terminus is at Hayden Pass near Mirror Lake on Utah Route 150;. The trail crosses eight named passes that exceed 11,200 feet (3,414 m) elevation and many other smaller saddles and ridges. Between these high points, the trail drops into broad, glacially carved basins and valleys. The high point of the trail is at Anderson Pass (12,700 feet (3,871 m) elevation), and Kings Peak (elevation 13,528 feet (4,123 m)), the high point of Utah, is located just 0.7 miles (1.1 km) south of the pass. Altogether, there is 16,700 feet of elevation gain and 14,600 feet of elevation loss on an east-to-west trip. The average elevation of the trail is 10,700 feet.

Uinta Highline Trail Highline Trail Climbing Hiking amp Mountaineering SummitPost

The Uinta Highline Trail passes through a mosaic of forests, subalpine meadows, alpine tundra, and rock and snow fields, but the striking character of the trail is its openness and expansive views—treeless terrain accounts for over half the distance of the trail.

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The trail is designated as Trail 025 for the 96 miles (154 km) it passes through the Ashley National Forest and Trail 083 for the 8 miles (13 km) it passes through the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, with Rocky Sea Pass being the dividing line. Over half the route is located in the High Uintas Wilderness where travel is limited to those on foot and horseback.

Hiking

Uinta Highline Trail HighlineTrail

The Uinta Highline can be thru hiked in either direction, but hikers of its entire 104-mile length more often hike east to west. The trail starts at the Highline Trailhead in McKee Draw, just 0.5 miles west of U.S. Highway 191 on Forest Road 062. A vault toilet and parking area are at the trailhead. The first 25 miles of trail pass through forest and subalpine meadows, and there can be limited sources of water, particularly late in the season. After crossing Little Brush Creek at mile 4.3, the next source of water may be over 20 miles away near Leidy Peak. There, Hacking Lake is a short hike off the trail.

Uinta Highline Trail Uinta Highline Trail Travel Tom39s

From Leidy Peak westward, the trail crosses long stretches of alpine tundra, rocky passes, and subalpine forests. Numerous lakes and streams serve as water sources.

The trail ends at the Highline Trailhead at Hayden Pass on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (Utah Route 150). A vault toilet and parking area are located at the trailhead. This is a busy trailhead, particularly on summer weekends, and is within a federal fee area requiring a day pass (may be purchased at a couple locations along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway) or an annual America the Beautiful Pass.

The Uinta Highline Trail passes two additional trailheads. Both are many miles from paved highways and are reached by gravel roads. The Leidy Peak trailhead is at mile 25. The Chepeta Lake trailhead is at mile 38. Starting at one of these trailheads shortens the westward hike to Hayden Pass to 79 miles or 66 miles, respectively. In the past some users have chosen to shorten the distance traveled due to the unmaintained condition of the far eastern portion of the trail. However, since 2013 the trail from US Highway 191 to Leidy Peak has been improved through the efforts of volunteers from Vernal, Utah.

There is no permit required to hike the Uinta Highline Trail.

The Uinta Highline Trail has a remote, primitive character. In places, the trail lacks tread and is merely a route marked with occasional cairns, posts, or signs. This can be attractive to users who seek solitude and have the necessary navigation skills.

References

Uinta Highline Trail Wikipedia