What is the Best 3 day trip in the Uintas?

What's the best 3 day trip in the western Uintas?

  • Amethyst Lake

    Votes: 4 23.5%
  • Four Lakes Basin

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Highline Trail out & back

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • Long/Island Lakes from Crystal Lake TH

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Middle Basin

    Votes: 5 29.4%
  • Naturalist Basin

    Votes: 4 23.5%
  • Red Castle

    Votes: 4 23.5%
  • West Fork of Blacks Fork/ Deadhorse Lake

    Votes: 6 35.3%
  • Kings Peak

    Votes: 2 11.8%

  • Total voters
    17

uintahiker

Adventure Guru
Joined
Jan 20, 2012
Messages
719
I have my preferences, but I'm wondering if there's a general consensus on what the best 3 day trip in the Western Uintas is. I'm limiting this generally to the western half because more people are familiar with it then the eastern end.
Things to consider in your ranking are: Scenery, (lack of) crowds, fishing or peakbagging, and total impressions or enjoyment. You can all vote for your top two. Of course, if there's another place I haven't listed, I'd be interested in hearing why it should be on the list.
 
Oh I can choose. I just feel like the less information on the Uintas the better. Yes I am very selfish.
 
I don't mind sharing information (obviously), but I'm always hesitant to admit what my true favorites are publicly. I'll even admit to playing down certain places in my trip reports. I'll say this though. The best of the best in the Uintas, in my opinion, can be found east of 150 and west of Tokewanna. :)
 
Really you can't go wrong with any of those areas. I haven't been in any area of the Uintas I haven't enjoyed. some are more scenic, some provide better fishing, some more solitutude, it really just depends on what you are after.
 
I know that some people love the view from the top of the mountain, but I have to say that the most beautiful part of the Uintas are the wildlife and there aren't too many critters on the top of the mountain. You just cant beat the beauty of a brook trout and in the Uintas, you can enjoy that beauty 100+ times a day.
 
Brook trout.... eh. yeah, they are nice, but not as nice as the amazing views, wildflowers, glacier lakes, and the abundant high alpine meadows, and streams! :D
 
Of the areas I've visited, I have my favorite Uinta spots and campsites, some of those sites I saw in passing, that I'm not going to publicly reveal. Still a lot areas left for me to see and explore though.
 
I haven't been to all of the places you mention, but I've been to several of them. I went with Dead Horse lake because it's got the best views for the length of the hike.
 
I'll say that Kings Peak is worth doing at least once, if only to say you've done it. The views are incredible from up there. I thought Henry's Basin was pretty with some decent fishing in the many of the lakes. Certain parts of the basin can get real crowded with lots of scouts and others, but it's so big up there that it's not hard to get away from the crowds if you're willing to go off the main trails a bit. A few nice waterfalls and good wildlife viewing. I think that it offers a little bit of everything. Of course, Henry's Fork Basin isn't the only way to get there, but it's the shortest and thus the most popular route.

That said, as pretty as it can be up there, there are other areas that offer a bit of everything (fishing, wildlife, mid-week solitude, colorful flowers, waterfalls, etc) with much less of a drive that I see myself returning to more regularly.
 
Most of those are 2 days or even some day hikes - especially Amethyst, but I like to do mileage. I think Red Castle has the most secrets of any in the area, in that it has its crowded and named lakes, but...I have said too much. - since I have moved back to Wyoming, the locals have threatened me about telling the Utahns where all the hidden places are.

The last time I climbed King's Peak it seamed that most of the State of Utah had the same idea. There were over 50 people on the mountain, and several more groups on the way to the mountain - there needs to be a permit system in place for that area, or maybe our stinking friends from American Land & Leisure can get their grubby hands all over that trail head and start to institute a parking fee like they do at China Meadows. Something to thin the crowds a little.
 
I voted for Red Castle because Timothy Lakes was not on the list. Swasey Lakes is a good weekend trip as well.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
T Best practices for upcoming trip General Discussion 4
Devin Ashby Best Cedar Mesa/Bears Ears Guide Books? Trip Planning 8
ghsmith76 Looking for best multi-day Backpacking Trips near Livingston, MT Trip Planning 6
Parma The Best Arch in Utah is... General Discussion 20
forest dweller The best / ideal conditions/ criteria to backpack with a stranger / allow a stranger to backpack with you... General Discussion 6
forest dweller What do you think is the best way to meet other SERIOUS backpackers when you only backpack once or twice a year and... General Discussion 52
Nick Best of 2019 General Discussion 48
Perry Exploring above Cataract Basin - One of the Best Seats in the House Hiking & Camping 1
Nick Best of 2018 General Discussion 43
Outdoors24 Best computer for picture/video editing? General Discussion 26
Vegan.Hiker A Personal Best (ascent) - Pemi Loop, WMNF Backpacking 23
JDWalters Best time to photograph Zebra Slot? Trip Planning 3
Upgrayedd Best place to live? General Discussion 46
IntrepidXJ Meet the woman who knows Bears Ears best General Discussion 106
B Best Time of Year for Backpacking the Uintas in Utah Trip Planning 15
Perry Leona Spring Trail to UHT - A New Personal Best Day Hike Hiking & Camping 2
B Best Alternatives to the Sierras Backpacking 12
kimbur96 Best lens for backpacking? Photography 14
Kelin Best Route to Alpine Lakes? Trip Planning 4
Jimmy Best Backpacking Near Phoenix/Scottsdale? Trip Planning 1
JoshuaDyal Best San Juans hike Trip Planning 0
LarryBoy Best ranges for off-trail travel General Discussion 11
Langdon Greene 2016 might be your best chance to do Wonderland (Rainier) Trip Planning 2
muir_mountain Best Backpacking in early June Trip Planning 12
Mike Jones Best UL Mountain Hardwear Rain Jacket Gear 2
SwimsWithTrout Best time of year for San Rafael Swell/Cedar Mesa ? Trip Planning 4
Nick Best Packrafting Paddle Gear 8
Mike K Best Backpacking Pillow Gear 16
T Best place to backpack the Bob Marshall? Trip Planning 17
WasatchWill Best Cell Phone Camera: iPhone, G4, S6, or Other? General Discussion 6
Chuck the Mauler Best dual use camera? Photography 6
balzaccom Your best shot General Discussion 2
natylka Advice on the best lightweight sleeping bag for backpacking. Gear 27
natylka Advice on the best light backpacking tent Gear 39
Scott Chandler Help with the Best of the CPW Photography 9
jmerkley9 Best Car Camping - Uintas Trip Planning 2
Laura My tent shot is the featured photo for Best of May 2014 Photography 8
Antlerking Gear Review Best Hiking Briefs Gear Reviews 15
DrNed Best Hikes in Canyonlands Trip Planning 8
D Cedar Mesa to Hanksville, best day hike options? Trip Planning 3
Tater Head It was the best of times, It was the worst of times... General Discussion 6
Nick Best easy day hikes around Salt Lake General Discussion 25
Aldaron Best hike in the Uintas General Discussion 2
Aldaron The best part of BCP General Discussion 6
slc_dan Best Book for Hiking in the Uintas? Trip Planning 11
Nick BCP wins 'Best Adventure Blog'! General Discussion 16
uintahiker Aravaipa Canyon- what end is best? Trip Planning 2
Nick Album Best of 2012 Photography 45
intuitive cat what was your best/most satisfactory new gear this last season? Gear 18
Dan Best Camp Shoe - What's the lightest and most versatile? Gear 51

Similar threads

Back
Top