Utah’s High Uinta wilderness

– Westbound from McKee Draw to Hayden Pass –

Miles

Miles Hiked

Days

Rescue

About the Uinta Highline Trail

The Uinta Highline Trail (UHT) is a 100+ mile trek through one of North America’s rare east-west running high mountain ranges. The trail traverses the High Unitas Mountains through northeast Utah and also takes hikers out to state’s highest point, Kings Peak at 13,527′.

The majority of the UHT remains between 10,500′ – 12,500′ elevation as it works its way expansive alpine landscapes and glacial basins, so hikers need to plan for the altitude accordingly. Yet, this remote trail allow for the opportunity to spot an array of wildlife you might not automatically associate with the Beehive State – including moose, bighorn sheep, elk, and black bears.

The UHT only sees a handful of thru-hikers each season. There is no Guthook Guide for it and no dedicated map set. Instead, the route requires dusting off your cairn-following skills and creating your own GPX file before you head to the trailhead.

Check back soon for my daily blogs from the UHT, gear lists, and the whole story on why I needed to be rescued from the trail before I completed my thru-hike.

Trail Journal

Day 1 – The Dry Eastern Side (Miles 0 – 24.7)
Day 2 – Altitude and Lakes (Miles 24.7 – 48.0)
Day 3 – Finally Made it to Kings Peak (Miles 48.0 – 68.1)
Day 4A – What the Heck Happened?!? (Miles 68.1 – 70.6)
Day 4B – The Rescue

BlOG POSTS

PLANNING RESOURCES

High Uintas Wilderness Map (Trails Illustrated map #711)
Flaming Gorge Natl Recreations Area Map (Trails Illustrated map #704)
Hiking Utah’s Highline Trail (Backpacker.com)
Highline (full-length film about the UHT)