Overview

The Uinta Highline Trail is Utah's premier wilderness backpacking route—a 102-mile traverse of the High Uinta Wilderness that stays at or above 10,000 feet for its entire length. This is high-alpine backpacking at its finest: a rolling journey across eight mountain passes above 11,000 feet, through golden tundra basins dotted with glacial lakes, beneath the rugged peaks of Utah's only east-west mountain range. The trail passes just 0.7 miles from Kings Peak (13,528'), Utah's highest summit.

This trail rewards experienced backpackers who appreciate solitude, self-sufficiency, and navigational challenges. Expect faint tread in places, navigation by cairns across alpine meadows, exposed ridgeline travel, and afternoon thunderstorms that demand respect. The east-to-west direction is most popular—you'll knock out the hardest passes first while hiking toward increasingly spectacular scenery. Most hikers complete the route in 6-8 days, carrying all their food from start to finish with no practical resupply options.

Permits & Regulations

No permit required for private overnight trips—one of the few long-distance western wilderness trails without permit hassles. However, the western trailhead at Hayden Pass requires a parking pass ($12 for 7 days) available at the self-service kiosk or pre-purchased at Recreation.gov. An America the Beautiful Pass also works. No parking fee at the eastern McKee Draw trailhead.

Campfire restrictions are extensive. Many popular lake basins prohibit campfires entirely. Download the current campfire closure map from the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest website. Naturalist Basin has a permanent fire ban. Where fires are allowed, you must be at least ¼ mile from any lake. Bring a reliable stove.

Standard wilderness rules: Camp 200+ feet from trails, water, and other campers. Maximum group size is 14 people and 15 stock animals. Filter all water—cattle graze throughout the range. Bear canisters are not required, though proper food storage (bear bag or odor-proof sacks) is mandatory. Black bears rarely venture above 9,500 feet, so encounters are uncommon at Highline Trail elevations.

Best Season

Late July through mid-September is the hiking window, with conditions varying dramatically by month:

July: Beautiful wildflower displays, abundant water, and lingering snowfields add visual interest—but you'll battle muddy trails, brutal mosquito swarms, and daily afternoon thunderstorms. Snow patches often linger on north-facing slopes of Dead Horse Pass and other high passes through mid-July. Only attempt in July if you're comfortable with snow travel and can tolerate aggressive bugs.

August: The sweet spot. Late August is considered ideal by many experienced Highline hikers—the balance point between summer storms and early winter. Trails dry out, mosquitoes diminish (though not disappear), and golden grasses paint the high basins. Thunderstorms remain a concern but become less frequent as the month progresses. Water is still plentiful.

September: Stunning fall colors below treeline, virtually no bugs, and minimal thunderstorm risk. Trade-offs include colder temperatures (expect freezing nights), reduced water flow in some sources, and the ever-present risk of early-season snowstorms. By late September, winter can arrive any day. Only for experienced backpackers comfortable with cold-weather camping.

Shoulder season snowpack: In heavy snow years, passes may hold snow into late July. Check current conditions with the Kamas Ranger Station (435-783-4338) before committing to an early-season trip.

Water & Resupply

Eastern 25 miles (McKee Draw to Leidy Peak): This is the trail's crux for water planning. After crossing Little Brush Creek at mile 4.3, reliable water becomes scarce for over 20 miles. Manila Park (mile 8) has a creek accessible via short off-trail detour—critical late-season water. Hacking Lake near Leidy Peak (mile 24) is your next dependable source. Late summer hikers have reported dry conditions throughout this stretch. Plan to carry 3-4 liters and camel up at every opportunity.

Western 77 miles (Leidy Peak to Hayden Pass): Water worries end at Leidy Peak. From here westward, the trail crosses countless streams and passes dozens of alpine lakes. You'll rarely need to carry more than a liter. Exceptions: if camping on exposed ridges between basins, tank up before climbing.

Filter everything. Cattle graze extensively, especially in the eastern sections, creating muddy wallows and contaminating water sources.

No resupply options exist. The trail crosses one dirt road at Chepeta Dam (mile 38), but it sees virtually zero traffic. Intermediate trailheads at Leidy Peak (mile 24) and Chepeta Lake (mile 38) offer cache opportunities if you arrange a friend to meet you, but most hikers simply carry 6-8 days of food from the start. For longer trips, consider leaving a cache at Chepeta in a hard-sided bear canister or military ammo box—plastic containers will be destroyed by wildlife.

Hazards & Challenges

Afternoon thunderstorms: The Uintas experience predictable afternoon lightning from July through August. At these elevations, lightning is the trail's most serious hazard. Storms build by noon on most summer days, bringing dramatic electrical displays, hail, and wind-driven rain. Plan your daily mileage to reach campsites below 11,000 feet by early afternoon, and avoid exposed passes and ridges after midday. If caught in a storm on a pass, descend immediately to treeline or lower terrain.

Navigation: Expect primitive trail conditions, especially east of Leidy Peak. The eastern 25 miles cross heavily grazed cattle country where livestock tracks obscure the trail. Cairns, occasional orange diamond markers, and tree blazes guide you through miles-long stretches of alpine meadow and burn areas where tread vanishes. Download GPS tracks and carry a backup navigation method. Hikers have reported losing the trail multiple times in these sections. The western portion is better defined but still requires attention.

High elevation: The entire route stays above 10,000 feet, crossing passes from 11,000 to 12,700 feet. Anderson Pass (12,700'), the trail's high point, sits just below Kings Peak. Give yourself time to acclimatize if coming from low elevations. Afternoon headaches and reduced energy are common the first 1-2 days.

Stream crossings: Generally straightforward, but snowmelt and rain can raise creek levels significantly. The trail crosses numerous streams—most are easy rock-hops or ankle-deep fords. In early season or after heavy rain, crossings can become more challenging. Bring camp shoes or sandals for safer, more comfortable fording.

Mosquitoes: July and early August bring legendary swarms. Hikers describe "clouds of hundreds or thousands" in some valleys. Bring a head net, chemical repellent, and permethrin-treated clothing. Some backpackers have cut trips short due to the intensity. By late August, bugs diminish considerably; by September, they're gone.

Wildlife: Black bears exist in the Uintas but rarely venture above 9,500 feet—the Highline stays higher. Moose frequent wetland areas, especially in the western basins. Give them wide berth; they appear docile but can charge if approached too closely. Mountain goats roam the higher peaks.

Getting There

Western terminus (Hayden Pass): From Salt Lake City, drive east on I-80 to exit 148 (Kamas). Head south through Kamas on UT-150 (Mirror Lake Scenic Byway) for 34.5 miles to Hayden Pass/Highline Trailhead. Drive time: 1.5 hours from SLC. Note: UT-150 is a seasonal road, typically closed November through May due to heavy snow. Check current status at 801-887-3147 or the UDOT seasonal roads website.

Eastern terminus (McKee Draw): From Vernal, drive north on US-191 for approximately 28 miles. The Highline Trailhead parking area is on the west side of the highway, 0.5 miles north of the Wyoming border. No parking fee required. Drive time: 3.5 hours from SLC via Kamas and Duchesne.

Nearest towns: Kamas (west) offers Kamas Foodtown grocery, gas stations, and last-minute supplies—stock up here. Vernal (east) has multiple grocery stores including Smith's, Walmart Supercenter, and Davis Food & Drug. Salt Lake City is 1.5 hours from the western trailhead.

Shuttle services: Most thru-hikers use paid shuttles rather than arranging two vehicles. Mountain Trails Transport (mountaintrailstransport.com) is the established service, offering shuttles from Vernal to either trailhead. As of 2024, expect shuttle costs around $150-200 for point-to-point transport. MTX Utah is also recommended. Book well in advance for peak season (July-August). Self-shuttling via hitchhiking and Utah Transit Authority buses is possible but time-consuming and unreliable.

Airports: Salt Lake City International (SLC) is the closest major airport, with rental cars readily available.

Tips

Hike east to west. The scenery improves as you travel west, passes become shorter and less steep (though you climb more on the east side and descend gradually on the west), and you'll finish at the more accessible Hayden Pass trailhead where your shuttle or vehicle awaits. The logistics also favor this direction if you're coming from Salt Lake City.

Plan 6-8 days for the full thru-hike. While strong hikers can push it in 5 days and ultralight enthusiasts have completed it in under 4, a 7-day itinerary (roughly 12-15 miles per day) allows time to enjoy the scenery, take breaks, and tackle Kings Peak. Build in a weather buffer—consecutive afternoon thunderstorms can slow your progress.

Summit Kings Peak (13,528'). From Anderson Pass at mile 60, Utah's highest point is just a 0.7-mile scramble to the south. The Class II route takes 2-3 hours round trip. Drop your pack at the pass and carry water—it's a steep climb at altitude. The summit views are extraordinary and you'll regret skipping it.

Camp near lakes in tree cover when possible. Alpine meadows are scenic but expose you to wind and lightning. Lakes typically have established camping areas with tree clusters for wind protection and faster storm escape. Popular lake camps: Fox Lake (post-North Pole Pass), Dead Horse Lake, North Star Lake, and basins west of Anderson Pass.

Start early, finish by noon. Summer thunderstorms build with clockwork regularity. Leave camp by 6-7 AM to clear passes by late morning. If you hear thunder while crossing exposed terrain, descend immediately—lightning kills backpackers in the high Rockies every year.

Bring full rain gear including jacket, pants, and gloves. Afternoon storms can drop temperatures 30-40°F in minutes, with driving rain, hail, and even snow (yes, even in August). Pack warm layers—nights routinely drop to freezing even in summer. One hiker's recommendation: "Plan on being wet every day."

Download maps offline. Cell service is nonexistent. GPS tracks are essential for navigation through the cairn-marked eastern sections and burned areas. Carry paper maps as backup—the USGS 7.5' quads or a National Geographic Trails Illustrated map.

Consider a mid-trail cache at Chepeta Dam if doing a longer trip or ultralight approach. This cuts your food carry significantly. Use a hard-sided bear canister (BearVault or similar) or military surplus ammo box—plastic buckets will be destroyed by bears or other wildlife.

Water strategy for the east: From McKee Draw, carry 3+ liters to Manila Park (mile 8), refill completely, then carry 4 liters to Leidy Peak (mile 24). This is the make-or-break section—late-season water can be scarce or nonexistent between these points.

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