It’s not often that the Uinta Mountains get a new trail. Even more rare is a mountain biking trail. But both happened with the grand opening of the Slate Creek Trail, located at the Yellow Pine trailhead just up the road from Samak. The Slate Creek Trail is a 5-mile loop with a directional ascent…
Tag: Uinta Mountains
Explore Amethyst Basin in the High Uintas Wilderness
High peaks, lush basins, oodles of wildlife and breathtaking views are just a few of the joys awaiting hikers in the High Uintas Wilderness of Utah. It’s hard to pick a bad spot, in fact, it’s more of a game of which basin is the most beautiful. I’m not going to take a stab at…
Hiking the Uinta Mountains: What You Need to Know
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…
Summit West Grandaddy Mountain in the High Uintas
Grandaddy Basin is a gorgeous area on the southern slope of Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness. There are enough streams, lakes, and trails to keep you busy for a week, but if you only have time for one hike, I highly recommend a summit of West Grandaddy Mountain. The route is not difficult, the views are…
Backpacking to Cuberant Lake
Autumn is upon us, and backpacking trips to the Uinta Mountains may soon be in short supply. If you want to squeeze in a quick overnight trip, but don’t want to skimp on the scenery, Cuberant Lake may be just the trip you’re looking for. A short but stern hike leads to a uniquely shaped…
Kings Peak – hiking to the top of Utah
Kings Peak is the tallest mountain in Utah, so climbing to the summit is a rite of passage for any hiker living in the state. All serious hikers around the country have one thing in common: an insatiable desire to climb the highest peak in the state they live in. Standing atop the king of…
Hike to Ibantik Lake in the Uinta Mountains
There’s certainly no shortage of picturesque lakes to visit in Utah’s Uinta Mountains. With literally thousands of choices, it can be tough to select any one body of water for a destination. Ibantik Lake, nestled below the mighty Notch Peak ridgeline is definitely the hike. Choose this trek and you’ll enjoy a pristeen lake in…
Winter backpacking (in August) at Kamas Lake
Months before planning a backpacking trip to Kamas Lake in the Uinta Mountains, it seemed August would the the ideal time of year. Temperatures should be just right, an afternoon thunderstorm would be likely but not a concern, and the fishing should be hot. But as I exit my tent in the dawn hours and…
Climb Mount Watson in the High Uintas
Screaming children, flailing weekenders and hordes of Boy Scouts are what I usually associate with the trailheads just off of Mirror Lake Highway in the Uinta National Forest. Not a pretty sight. But what if I told you there was solitude and immense beauty to be found just a few miles past the cacophony of…
Backcountry skiing from the Castle Peak Yurt
Utah has dozens of mountain yurts, and I’ve stayed at many of them. From the Snorkeling Elk Yurt in the Tushar Mountains, to the Steam Mill Yurt in the Bear Rivers, I’ve sampled both the good and bad in terrain and yurt amenities. But my favorite yurt of all, by far, is the Castle Peak…