With thousands of lakes, hundreds of miles of streams, the highest peaks and some of the prettiest scenery in Utah, it’s no wonder that the Uinta Mountains are a summertime favorite. If you are new to the Beehive State, or are just beginning your Uinta adventures, here are some facts and tips that will help you understand and prepare for hiking and backpacking in these majestic mountains.
Tidbits About the Uintas
These mountains are located in the northeast portion of Utah, and even extend into southern Wyoming. A subrange of the Rocky Mountains, the Uintas have a character all their own. They are the highest range in the Lower 48 that runs east to west in profile. If you want to climb Utah’s tallest mountains, you’ll find them all here; over 30 of the highest peaks in the state can all be found in the Uintas. The mightiest of them all is Kings Peak (elevation 13,528”), which happens to be one of the most popular destinations in the entire range.
A walk through these mountains is a stroll through time. The rock here dates to the Precambrian age of time (billions of years old). The incredible basins that the Uintas are known for were carved by retreating glaciers. Oddly enough, this is the highest mountain range in the USA that contains no glaciers (after deep winter, permafrost can help snow last all summer long). But enough science and factoids, how about some hiking!
Yeah, We’re in the Rockies
The Uinta Mountains are chock full o’ rocks. Many of the peaks are comprised of car and house-sized boulder fields, and most of the trails are littered, if not made entirely out of, rocks. So what does that mean for hikers and backpackers? You better have a good pair of boots. Of all the gear that you might bring into the Uintas, a supportive, fully waterproof pair of boots is the most crucial. If you plan to hike a lot of miles, carry a fully loaded pack, and maybe bag a peak or two, don’t go cheap when it comes to footwear.
9,000’ above sea level is where nearly every trail in the Uinta Mountains begins. Many are closer to 10,000’. If you are backpacking, chances are you will sleeping above 10,000’. You need to be prepared for high elevation recreation! This means making sure to stay hydrated, keeping a modest hiking pace, and paying close attention to your body’s signals. Altitude sickness (caused by a lack of oxygen) can cause headaches, weakness, dizziness and nausea among other ailments. Allow yourself to rest, and in extreme cases, get to a lower elevation ASAP. Also, if you plan to camp, be prepared for a restless first night as your body adjusts to sleeping at elevation.
Weather, Weather Everywhere
You locked the car up and hiked out under gorgeous summer skies. Two hours later, you’re in one of the nastiest looking thunderstorms you’ve ever seen. This is a typical Uintas experience. These mountains don’t allow weather to pass through, they create weather. That means that you have to be prepared for anything: freezing temperatures, snow in summer, heavy rain and lightning. Combat the elements by making sure you always carry full rain gear, and extra layers for insulating against the cold. It may sound like a pain to pack all that if you are just day hiking, but if you get caught in a nasty Uintas storm, you’ll be glad you shouldered the extra weight.
Get High the Utah Way
So, it’s peaks you seek? The Uintas have dozens, and they range from moderate day hikes to difficult multi-day adventures. If you are just starting out, try some of the mountains just off of the Mirror Lake Highway (Utah State Road 150) like Bald Mountain or Mount Watson (trailheads found on the west side of SR-150). There are even numerous large peaks (such as Mount Agassiz or Spread Eagle Peak to the east of SR-150) that can be climbed as day trips.
Longer treks to more difficult peaks are accessed from the northern and southern slopes of the range. China Meadows and Henry’s Fork trailheads provide access to many of the Utah ‘13ers. The trips involve carrying a backpack and spending a night or two in the wilderness in order to get your Rocky Mountain high. Embrace the idea, because the deeper you go into the Uintas, the more beautiful they seem to get.