Head for lower ground. Pack into one of the more distant basins. Pay attention and never walk between a cow moose and her calf. The Uinta Mountains offer beautiful alpine forest scenery, grassy meadows, cold clear streams and thousands of alpine lakes. Sunburn is a common problem when hiking at high elevations. Seasons Best lake trails in High Uintas Wilderness, Utah 2,564 Reviews Explore the most popular lake trails in High Uintas Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Four Lakes Basin was great. Natural resources; Recreation and tourism, Lakes; Lakes--Recreational use; Fishing; Outdoor recreation, Daggett County, Utah, United States, http://sws.geonames.org/5773608/, 40.88727, -109.50765; Uinta Mountains, Daggett County, Utah, United States, http://sws.geonames.org/5783904/, 40.88274, -109.29708. Build a fire. Allsop Lake sits on the Northern slope of the High Uinta Wilderness at an elevation of 10,600 ft. The booklets provide hiking directions and describe fishing opportunities, along with details about camping, spring water and horse feed. In addition, a few trails are open to ATVs. View Full Item. I pulled the rod out three times on my trip through the High Unitas—twice at dusk and once during the middle of the day. The High Uintas Wilderness is administered jointly by the Ashley and Wasatch-Cache National Forests. Lakes of the high Uintas : Provo and Weber River drainages. High passes may start to accumulate new snow in September. They are often seen along the rivers and in marshy areas. [Walter K Donaldson; Chad W Crosby; Glenn M Davis] Other Nearby Lakes. In other areas, most campgrounds have sites available most summer weekends. Blisters can be a big problem. LAKES OF THE HIGH UINTAS . These rugged mountains are ideal for backpacking, and provide opportunities for long trips and solitude. A permit is needed for recreational activity along the highway. For their size, they can carry a considerable load. Several options are discussed below: U.S. Highway 150, which is a national treasure, formally designated the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway. The High Uintas Wilderness was established by Congress in 1984. Highway 150 is a popular snowmobile route in winter. I was fishing large lakes each time rather than the kinds of streams where this system excels. Don't try to approach a moose. Stay on designated trails. Ridges divide the area into large, scenic basins; many ridges rise abruptly several thousand feet above the basins. Lakes in the higher central basins are located in heavy timber or on the gently rolling tundra of upper elevations. All rights reserved. The Utah Wilderness Act of 1984 designated portions of the High Uintas in Ashley National Forest as Wilderness, including the Yellowstone and Lake Fork watersheds that house the thirteen high mountain reservoirs in Swift Creek, Garfield and Brown Duck Basins . Be sure to stay on designated routes. We chose a lake that was a little off the beaten path. 85-7 on Amazon.com. And, while all trails are not carbon-copy, what follows is a typical trail report for the area. But fall backpackers need to be extremely careful - harsh storms can arise in a hurry and trap campers. Developed campgrounds are located wherever roads extend into the forest. The Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah are unique. It shows the entire area in detail. One of the prettiest and most accessible of these lakes is Ruth Lake. 7.5 Minute topographical maps for your specific destination are also important. The lakes are stocked heavily, and fishing is often good. A number of peaks rise over 12,000 feet in elevation. Davis Lakes were named for Bob Davis, an early guide in the area and was the first to stock fish in the lakes. Get this from a library! During the summer month, high mountain lakes provide the ideal water temperature for trout to feed. The paved highway stretches 42 miles through mountains and forest, from Kamas, Utah, to Evanston, Wyoming. A few roads and a handful of rugged 4X4 tracks provide access to areas outside the wilderness. A Basecamper takes his first solo on a 5-day, 31-mile trek through the High Uintas, but finds their way hampered by wildfire smoke. Bring a soft bed, comfortable chair and Dutch oven. § 9-7-201 to 9-7-209 to be in the public domain under U.S. copyright law (17 U.S.C.). Hazards in the Uintas. Many peaks extend above tree line. Black bears occasionally cause concern at some campgrounds at mid-elevations. Then cover the spot with moleskin. Bedground Lake, Beaver Lake, Browne Lake, Butterfly Lake, Buckeye Lake, Chepeta lake, Cutthroat Lake, Echo Lake, Fish Lake, Hayden Lake, Haystack Lake, Hoover Lake, Julius Park Reservoir, Little Elk Lake, Marshall Lake, Mirror Lake, Moon Lake, Paradise Park Reservoir, Pyramid Lake, Round Lake, Ruth Lake, Smith and Morehouse Reservoir, Upper Stillwater Reservoir, Whitney … "Fifty-five to 65 degrees is the ideal water temperature for trout," Birdsey said. The wilderness covers the Uinta Mountains, encompassing parts of Duchesne and Summit counties. Designated as a wilderness in 1984, the area is located within parts of Ashley National Forest and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The best maps and guides 800-477-5558 There are also over 400 miles of streams. Remember, the heart of the Uintas is a protected wilderness area, where motorized travel is not permitted. The booklets are free. Read more... 152 E. 100 N. Elevations range from 8,000 feet in the lower canyons to 13,528 feet atop Kings Peak - the highest point in Utah. The Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah are unique in that they are the highest mountain range in Utah and the only major range of mountains in the … Some of the best fishing in the mountains can be found at the end of a 5-7 mile backpack. If you're 10 miles back, carrying a heavy pack, and you can't walk because of a blister you're in trouble. That season is long, often stretching from November into May. Buy Lakes of the high Uintas: Ashley Creek drainage (Publication / Utah Department of Natural Resources and Energy, Division of Wildlife Resources) Revision 1981 by Donaldson, Walter K (ISBN: ) from Amazon's Book Store. Lakes of the High Uintas, Bear River and Blacks Fork Drainages, Publication No. Be prepared for harsh weather. Created Date 1996. Glaciers have created large alpine basins filled with hundreds of lakes, and surrounded by magnificent peaks that reach up to 13,528 at Kings Peak, the highest point in Utah.Wildlife abound - moose and elk are commonly seen, but more elusive mammals such as black bear, bobcat, and fox live in the Uintas as well. Visitors need to be aware that the highway climbs from an elevation of approximately 7,000 feet to nearly 12,000 feet. Hundreds of picturesque lakes, streams, and meadows are nestled within beautiful basins. They also include maps of specific drainages. Day hikes are also possible from other access roads. Hypothermia can also be a killer. Most roads and trails become snow packed during November. These ancient rocks were elevated under tremendous pressure to form nearly vertical faults. The booklets provide hiking directions and describe fishing opportunities, along … The Utah State Library Division considers state publications made available by state agencies and political subdivisions as required by Utah Code Ann. Recreational use is heavy in some popular areas, while other remote spots may go years between visitors. If a storm starts to build, take cover. The Uinta Mountains are a high, pristine mountain area in northeastern Utah that is popular for fishing, hiking, backpacking, horse packing, hunting and other outdoor activities. The peak season for most campgrounds is Memorial Day through Labor Day. The western portion lies within the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which was created by presidential proclamation in 1906, and the Cache National Forest, which was designated in 1907. The scramble to Thompson Lake, not so much. 85-7 Lakes of the high Uintas : Sheep Creek, Carter Creek and Burnt Fork drainages Lakes of the Sheep Creek and Carter Creek drainages are located on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains and encompass the first series of alpine lakes west of Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Lightning occasionally kills people in the Uintas. (Llamas are quickly growing in popularity as pack animals. Lakes of the High Uintas, Bear River and Blacks Fork Drainages, Publication No. Short backpack. Watch for advisories. Kings Peak, Utah's tallest summit at 13,528 feet, draws major trail traffic in the High Uintas Wilderness, but this need not deter solitude-seekers. This is a cool little fishing system. You don't need the permit if you are just driving, but if you stop to picnic, hike, fish or camp you need to purchase and display a permit. Utah State Publications; Utah Outdoor Recreation. Created Date 1963. Explore the wild and rugged Uinta Mountains. They are everywhere, and they can drive you crazy. Isolated meadows - resembling large parks - and willow fields add variety to the timbered areas. The High Uintas Wilderness envelops the wild core of this massive mountain range. High Uinta Wilderness Area Lakes Note: Some of Utah's most picturesque lakes are located in very remote areas, are only accessible on foo t and can take days to hike into. It's essential if you are backpacking. Pack in, set up camp, and you still have several hours of daylight to fish and explore. Night temperatures during summer are 30-40 degrees, with freezing possible at any time. Bring strong repellent - it really helps. The High Uintas backcountry has long been a favorite haunt for backpackers, anglers, and equestrians alike. All informational materials in this government publication are in the public domain, and as such, are not restricted by copyright law unless otherwise stated. Utah Government Publications Online, a service of the Utah State Library, http://ugspub.nr.utah.gov/publications/Wildlife/Lakes_of_High_Uintas/Sheep_Creek.pdf, http://digitallibrary.utah.gov/awweb/guest.jsp?smd=1&cl=all_lib&lb_document_id=51243, Lakes of the high Uintas : Sheep Creek, Carter Creek and Burnt Fork drainages. Temperatures in areas above 10,000 feet are seldom above 80 degrees during summer days. I went on a solo backpacking trip in the High Uintas of Utah to a lake that produces nice brook trout. Coronavirus Updates: Stay current on the latest news and park access. Visit website. The highway is usually open from June through early October. Some high passes have snowy spots throughout the year, but should be passable from late July through the month of August. The range has peaks ranging from 11,000–13,528 feet, … At that time it is possible to ski, snowmobile or snowshoe into some lakes for early ice fishing and other recreational activities. The mountains pick up heavy snowfall and include several areas designated for snowmobile recreation. Cold, clear rivers plunge from the basins into deep canyons that form the headwaters of Utah's major rivers. View Full Item. This is a 10-booklet set that describes all waters managed as fisheries. Don't hide under a tree which stands by itself; but you can take refuge under a grove of trees off the side of a ridge. The lakes in Grandaddy and Squaw basins are generally surrounded by heavy timber. Never leave food or garbage around camp, and don't keep food in your tent. Mosquitoes are public enemy number one in the Uintas. Drink warm soup. Copyright © 2021 Utah.com. I didn’t catch anything on my trip, but I had fun. Carry moleskin and use it before you get a blister. Over 2.5 million visitors come to the Ashley National Forest each year for outdoor recreation. The Uinta Mountains are an east-west trending chain of mountains in northeastern Utah extending slightly into southern Wyoming in the United States. Don't wait until you see lightning - by then it might be too late. Other roads penetrate the mountains from every direction. Most of the crowd enters from the north, keeping the inner sanctums of the south slope and the fabled Chain Lakes crowd-free. Most of the mountain slopes are forested. The Lakes of the High Uintas booklets published by the Utah DWR are also extremely valuable. The High Uintas Wilderness Map, published by the Forest Service, is a great resource. Moose can also be dangerous. The Highway 150 map that you get at the fee station describes some possibilities. I have found that lakes beyond the 7-mile mark typically have fewer people and better fishing. Image. The Uinta Range is the highest in Utah, and is the only major range in the contiguous United States with an east-west orientation. When most of the rivers and lakes in the state are starting to slow down the waters of the Uinta’s are just getting into high gear. It often snows and hails, even in August. August is the big month for backpack trips into the high country. They are less intrusive and easier to handle than horses. Lakes of the Uinta’s About 90 minutes from Salt Lake City, there are over a 1,000 lakes in the Uinta Mountains, and of these, more than half support populations of Bows, Cutts, Brookies, Golden, and Brown trout along with Grayling. The Rock Creek drainage is noted for its scenic beauty and vast panoramas, especially at … Work Assigned To: Roger Wilson Fiel, Projecd t Leader Tom Pettengill, Fishery Manager George McLaughlin Projec, t Leader William H. Geer, Directo r Publication completed under Federal Aid to Sport Fish Restoration — Utah Project F-42-R . In contrast to the surrounding desert, the Uintas receive about 40 inches of precipitation annually, mostly as snow. Wear a hat and sunscreen. The mountains' skeleton is pre-Cambrian rock over 600 million years old. Mention the Uintas and most people think about backpacking: forty pounds of weight on your back, four gallons of mosquito repellent in your pack, and 10 miles of steep trail between you and your destination, which is located above tree line, next to a snowfield that never completely melts. ), Motor vehicle travel is restricted in much of the area. As a subrange of the Rocky Mountains, they are unusual for being the highest range in the contiguous United States running east to west, and lie approximately 100 miles east of Salt Lake City. (These dates may be pushed up a bit when winters have light snowfall or when early summer temperatures are higher than normal.). Higher elevations are characterized by short rocky ridges and lobes which extend north from the main Uinta divide. Most roads open in early June and provide access to lower-elevation campgrounds and lakes. 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