Highline Trail, High Uintas Wilderness Area

The High Uintas Wilderness Area was estabilished in 1984, setting aside 460,000 acres of land. This land is located east of Kamas Utah and ranges in elivations from 8,000 to 13,000 feet above sea level. The weather ranges from mild to cold. The temperatures hit 80 degrees+ in the day to 30 degrees at night in the summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are very common from mid july to late august.

The Trip started out on a thursday morning. We drove from Orem, Utah to the Highline trailhead, about 1 1/2 hour drive. We reached the trailhead and realized there is a $3 a day charge to park in the trailhead parking lot, so we went and paid (checks and cash only). The first thing we did was to put on our misquito protection. The uintas are the playground for these pesky little bugs.

The first landmark that you will pass is bonnie lake, a small lake that is to the north of the trail. You will travel about 2 miles when you reach the wilderness area markers. At this point there is a self issue permit station where you fill out a permit to travel in the backcountry. For now this is just to reasearch the usage of the area. The trail this far is fairly flat and is at about 10,000 feet.

You will now start to get some elevation as you pass Scudder lake to the right. Scudder lake is off into the trees and I don't remember seeing it on the way into the area. the hike continues on through some beutiful area and you will pass the trail split to Packard lake. We stop for lunch and take some time to relax. At this point we have almost traveled 4 miles.

Now the trail begins to take on some elevation. Taken one step at a time it is not too noticable. But when you first look at the incline it looks tougher than it really is. Soon we hit the trail split to the naturalist basin. So far there has been about a 200ft pick up in vertical feet. The next 2 miles are used to pick up 200 more vertical feet. At the top of the hill is the Trail split to Jordan lake. This is the Naturalist basin.

There is a stream running through a great medow and heading up to Jordan Lake. To get to Jordan lake ther is about 200 more feet to pick up. When you reach Jordan Lake the elevation is about 10,600 feet and the about 8 miles has been traveled. The fishing here is very good. The average size of fish is about 8-10". Good size for eating.

The hike down from Naturalist basin took about 1 hour. From the trail split to the naturalist basin you head on the highline trail to the Four Lakes basin. this part of the trail is downward and there is about 400 feet that is dropped. We come to the Pinto lake trail split. and this is the part of the trail that begins to take on some elevation to make the 10,900 foot camp at Four Lakes basin.

As you move towards the Four Lakes basin you will pass some very beautiful meadows. The wildflowers were in full bloom, though it looked as if they were at their end. As you come acrros the trail you hit the Rock-Sea pass trail that you follow to the right to the basin. From here yo will come across a pass that looks over the Four Lakes basin.

From here you are about 9 miles from the original Highline trailhead. It rained both nights at about 4:30 pm and lasted about one hour. The Storms had strong winds and alot of lightning. The bugs were very pesky and the repellent kept them from biting, but not from swarming. I think I ate about 5 while talking or even breathing while walking. The trail gains about 900 vertical feet from start to the Four Lakes basin. There is abundant water so bring alon a good filter.

For more information contact:
Kamas Ranger District
50 East Center Street
P.O. Box 68
Kamas , UT 84036
(801)789-3194

By Steve Mann
Steve Mann is the Editorial Director and a Co-Founder at GearReview.com.