The Uinta Highline Trail is a 102-mile traverse of Utah's High Uinta Wilderness that stays at or above 10,000 feet for its entire length. It is high-alpine backpacking start to finish: eight mountain passes above 11,000 feet, tundra basins full of glacial lakes, and the rugged peaks of Utah's only east-west mountain range overhead. The trail passes just 0.7 miles from Kings Peak (13,528'), Utah's highest summit.
The route suits experienced backpackers who value solitude, self-sufficiency, and a navigational challenge. Expect faint tread in places, cairn navigation across alpine meadows, exposed ridgeline travel, and afternoon thunderstorms that dictate your schedule. East to west is the most popular direction: you get the hardest passes done first while the scenery keeps improving. Most hikers finish in 6-8 days and carry all their food from start to finish, since there is no practical resupply.
No permit is required for private overnight trips, which makes this one of the few long-distance western wilderness trails without permit hassles. The western trailhead at Hayden Pass does require 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. There is 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, since 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.
Late July through mid-September is the hiking window, and conditions vary dramatically by month:
July: Wildflower displays, abundant water, and lingering snowfields, but also muddy trails, brutal mosquito swarms, and daily afternoon thunderstorms. Snow patches often linger on the north-facing slopes of Dead Horse Pass and other high passes through mid-July. Only attempt July if you are comfortable with snow travel and can tolerate aggressive bugs.
August: The best month. Many experienced Highline hikers consider late August ideal, the balance point between summer storms and early winter. Trails dry out, mosquitoes diminish (though they do not disappear), and the high basins turn gold. Thunderstorms remain a concern but become less frequent as the month goes on. Water is still plentiful.
September: Fall colors below treeline, virtually no bugs, and minimal thunderstorm risk. The trade-offs are colder temperatures (expect freezing nights), reduced flow in some water sources, and the ever-present risk of an early-season snowstorm. By late September, winter can arrive any day. Only for experienced backpackers comfortable with cold-weather camping.
Shoulder season snowpack: In heavy snow years, the 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.
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 reachable via a short off-trail detour, and it is 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, and you will rarely need to carry more than a liter. The exception: if camping on the exposed ridges between basins, tank up before climbing.
Filter everything. Cattle graze extensively, especially in the eastern sections, where they create muddy wallows and contaminate 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 for 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; wildlife will destroy plastic containers.
Afternoon thunderstorms: The Uintas get 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 heavy lightning, hail, and wind-driven rain. Plan your daily mileage to reach campsites below 11,000 feet by early afternoon, and stay off 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 the 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 of them easy rock-hops or ankle-deep fords. In early season or after heavy rain, crossings get harder. 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 because of the intensity. By late August the bugs diminish considerably; by September they are gone.
Wildlife: Black bears exist in the Uintas but rarely venture above 9,500 feet, and the Highline stays higher. Moose frequent the wetland areas, especially in the western basins. Give them a wide berth; they look docile but can charge if approached too closely. Mountain goats roam the higher peaks.
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) has the 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, running shuttles from Vernal to either trailhead. As of 2024, expect shuttle costs around $150-200 for point-to-point transport. MTX Utah also comes recommended. Book well in advance for peak season (July-August). Self-shuttling via hitchhiking and Utah Transit Authority buses is possible but slow and unreliable.
Airports: Salt Lake City International (SLC) is the closest major airport, with rental cars readily available.
Hike east to west. The scenery improves as you travel west, the passes get shorter and less steep (though you climb more on the east side and descend gradually on the west), and you finish at the more accessible Hayden Pass trailhead where your shuttle or vehicle waits. The logistics also favor this direction if you are coming from Salt Lake City.
Plan 6-8 days for the full thru-hike. Strong hikers can push it in 5 days and ultralight hikers have finished in under 4, but a 7-day itinerary (roughly 12-15 miles per day) leaves time to enjoy the scenery, take breaks, and climb Kings Peak. Build in a weather buffer, since 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 is a steep climb at altitude. The summit views justify the effort.
Camp near lakes in tree cover when possible. Alpine meadows are scenic but leave you exposed to wind and lightning. Lakes typically have established camping areas with tree clusters for wind protection and a faster escape from storms. Popular lake camps: Fox Lake (past North Pole Pass), Dead Horse Lake, North Star Lake, and the basins west of Anderson Pass.
Start early, finish by noon. Summer thunderstorms build on a near-daily schedule. Leave camp by 6-7 AM to clear the 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, because 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 navigating the cairn-marked eastern sections and the 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 an ultralight approach. This cuts your food carry significantly. Use a hard-sided bear canister (BearVault or similar) or a military surplus ammo box; bears or other wildlife will destroy plastic buckets.
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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