Backpacking the Uinta's

[GlockedNloaded]

Me and a couple friends are looking to do our first backpacking trip and could use some help. Any one willing to share some insight or a favorite trail? appx 3 days is what were looking into.

[CarpeyBiggs]

how many miles a day?

[GlockedNloaded]

Never thought of that.. Something moderate and preferably near water.

[CarpeyBiggs]

i don't know what moderate means. that may be 20 mile/days, maybe 7 miles/day

[GlockedNloaded]

K lets say 10 or so.

[ibenick]

If you don't have much other criteria than around 10 miles per day and near water you can pretty much pick up a copy of the High Uintas Trails Illustrated map and just go crazy... you really can't go wrong. I've never been on a trail up there I didn't enjoy. The only thing I would avoid is the long stretches coming up through the trees to get to the higher elevation, Yellowstone and Uinta River drainages are good examples of this. Still good trails, just kind of long and boring in my opinion.

[CarpeyBiggs]

typically, within the wilderness area of the uintas, the western side of the range has the most dramatic scenery, and the northern slope probably has the single best scenery.

do you want a loop, or just out and back? red castle is probably the most beautiful setting in the whole range, imo, but it's hard to do a big loop in 3 days. i think it's about 40 miles to do the whole thing. but, if you just do one day into red castle, a day of day hiking from around there, and then a day out, that would be pretty good.

allsop lake, amethyst basin, christmas meadows, and middle basin of the stillwater are generally considered the best scenery. all out and backs though.

but, if you want a loop of sorts, i'd suggest something off the highline trail from the hayden pass trailhead, and maybe throwing in some of the upper part of grandaddy lakes. lots of loops on the east side of mirror lake highway too, if you don't care about being outside of the wilderness. plenty of good loops. long lake, island lake, etc...

[Iceaxe]

If this is your first backpack I'd keep it on the short and easy side. I'd suggest the Long Lake Loop in the Uintas.

Long Lake Loop
http://www.climb-utah.com/Uinta/long.htm

It's pretty flat hiking and you can easily change your trip on the fly to add or subtract mileage and/or more destinations.


http://www.climb-utah.com/Uinta/Files/long04.jpg

[Iceaxe]

And if you want to do Southern Utah Grand Gulch is noobie friendly and trips can be set up for over night to week long.

Grand Gulch - Kane to Bullet Canyon
http://www.climb-utah.com/CM/uppergrand.htm


http://www.climb-utah.com/CM/Files/uppergrandgulch04.jpg

[Dr. Nebz]

I'm with Iceaxe, Long Lake Loop would be a good one. You have a lot of options over there.

[GlockedNloaded]

Thank all, We decided on the long lake loop. I'll be sure to keep ya posted and post pics when we get back.

Thanks everyone for your help

[DSTRBD]

Nice, we have hiked that many times, you will really enjoy that area! Pictures Pictures Pictures!