Despite our hiking party being a chatty one likely to advertise our presence to any creature in our path, we came across several large herds of elk, 3 moose, over 100 mule deer, hundreds of domestic sheep, and other critters during the hike. Originally I was planning 7 days, which would be about 15 miles per day. Virtual Tour of Uinta Highline Trail. Highline Trail in the Uinta Mountains of Utah That luck cannot be relied on and could complicate pick-up logistics, so it is appropriate to add in buffer time to allow for weather related delays. I know it’s high elevation, so it is a hard to pump out 20+ mile days because of this. We did about 70 miles with the focus on hiking. The regional flights between Vernal and SLC, and various shuttle services in both cities make this thru-hike one that visitors to Utah or those without a car can complete. Uber: Park City, UT to Salt Lake City, UT (~35 min), Flight: Salt Lake City, UT to Vernal, UT (~45 min in 8 seater prop-plane [commercial flight]), Shuttle: Vernal, UT to Leidy Peak Trailhead in Ashley National Forest (~120 min), Hike: Leidy Peak to Highline Trailhead (Hayden Pass) ~80 miles over 5 days/5 nights, Shuttle: Highline Trailhead, Wasatch National Forest (~75 min) to Park City, UT. A few friends and I recently finished a thru-hike of the Uinta Highline Trail in northern Utah's Uinta mountains, so I wanted to throw a quick trip-report up here to combat the dearth of detailed info about this hike or the region more generally. My hike on the Uinta Highline Trail will cover 65 miles over 5½ days. Highline. Just found this report. Along those same lines, the trail can be quite intimidating, and at times can put travelers in unpredictable and deadly situations. Excellent and thorough guide book on the Uinta Mountains by author Cordell Andersen. That modified route (Chepeta Lake TH to Highline TH) stands as a worthy option for those with less time or simply wish to hike fewer miles per day. It's so close to the Highline Trail itself - less than a mile - that to skip it would be a shame. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, camping, horses, and backpacking and is best used from July until September. Well-traveled 19th-century explorer Ferdinand Hayden called Utah's vast Uinta Mountains—with their gorgeous pine forests, high-alpine meadows, and graceful symmetry—his favorite range. 104 mi. That’s much slower than normal for me, but I’m hiking with a less seasoned backer and I want her to enjoy herself. Uinta. In preparation, I brought along a pair of trekking pants for added protection, but preferred running shorts despite the vulnerability to the pests. It was a blast! Our pack weights were between 28 and 14 pounds. For most of human history, we lived in wild places. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Enjoy & research Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah with trail guides, topo maps, photos, reviews & GPS routes on Trails.com. A beautiful and unique view can be found around each corner, and for us, that is something we want to share with you. We have developed a love for this region that can't be described in words. The trail offers a secondary achievement near the hike's mid point as it tops out on Anderson Pass, just a .7 mile rock scramble from the Utah State Highpoint (Kings Peak, 13,527'). I did it last year by myself. We saw very few people until getting within 10 miles the hike's end. 10 days. 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 past Memorial Day Weekend. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies.Learn More. SOLITUDE. I’m planning on doing the Highline Trail this year, with my dad, but starting from the east end. By Casey Fiedler . 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). The trail spans over 100 miles and includes over 16,000 feet of elevation gain. Just prepare accordingly based on your comfort among the bugs. 9 part youtube series by Redbeard about the trail. DISTANCE (round-trip) DIFFICULTY. We have developed a love for this region that can't be described in words. The trail largely follows the ridgeline and offers great views of the valleys. Hiking the Quiet Corners of Utah. In places, the trail disappears under your feet and merely becomes a route occasionally marked with cairns and the infrequent sign or post. PrologueI left Casper and covered 100 miles before camping for the night north of Rawlins, avoiding all the major thunderstorms that threatened the area. Additionally, the trip from Hayden Pass/Highline Trailhead back to Park City/SLC is much simpler/shorter than Vernal to SLC. The Highline Trail in the Uinta Mountains is one of the best mountain trails in the state. The trail is around 100 miles long, but most backpacking trips are done over a 70 mile section between Chepeta Lake and Hayden Pass. In half the distance, it includes nearly as many passes as the John Muir Trail. This may have merely been a product of the heavy snow Utah received this year and our choice to hike in late July, but the hike took us through many boggy areas of standing water and over hundreds of glacial streamlets that inevitably seeped into our trail-running shoes and socks. Great backpacking trip with VentureOUT 16mi Jul 1, 2017 Jimmy Haugen. Despite some complexity in transport logistics, drop off and pick up at the trailheads can be done without a car of your own. Reading your story brings back all the memories from my own trip. 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