4th Of July.

Hurakan

Hurakan

Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2013
Messages
134
I'm planning a trip this 4th and taking some visiting family on a 3 to 4 day trip to the Uinta's. I have hiked it tons but never this early in the season due to the bugs so I was wondering if anyone has advice on this.

How bad will buck pasture be? last time I was there it was awesome but I cant imagine it all muddy or how bad the bugs would be, since its mainly marsh. I would love to take them to Dead Horse and spend some time in Rock Creek or Maybe even start from East Fork Blacks and come back thru West Fork Blacks.

I just did Amethyst with one of the persons coming last year, and also Ryder last year with my GF. I'm trying to find a good trip that isn't super crowded, not too muddy and less bugs. Any Advise for a fun early season trip?
 
Hurakan said:
I'm planning a trip this 4th and taking some visiting family on a 3 to 4 day trip to the Uinta's. I have hiked it tons but never this early in the season due to the bugs so I was wondering if anyone has advice on this.

How bad will buck pasture be? last time I was there it was awesome but I cant imagine it all muddy or how bad the bugs would be, since its mainly marsh. I would love to take them to Dead Horse and spend some time in Rock Creek or Maybe even start from East Fork Blacks and come back thru West Fork Blacks.

I just did Amethyst with one of the persons coming last year, and also Ryder last year with my GF. I'm trying to find a good trip that isn't super crowded, not too muddy and less bugs. Any Advise for a fun early season trip?
Click to expand...
Bugs should be peaking right around the 4th; perhaps a little later. You're gonna want DEET and long clothing for sure. Depending on how much they enrage you, a headnet may or may not be overkill. Mud is a little more tricky because it depends on the recent precip. Hasn't been too bad mud-wise the last few years.

You could also try a loop between East Fork and the Bald Mtn trail over Squaw, Porcupine, Tungsten, and Smiths Fork passes; Red Castle Lake will be crowded but it's an optional side trip. Did that last year over the 4th and it was magnificent. Or if you're looking for a little longer trip, you could take the West Fork instead of the East fork and spend longer on the Highline.

Or you could head from the Uinta River trailhead and go up to Kings the long way, through Trail Rider Pass and back through Painter Basin. Possibilities are vast!
 
Thanks Larry, I do have headnets, Permethrin for clothing, 100% Deet and going to try Picaridin as my Dog isn't a fan of Deet. I just hate mosquitos enough I don't hike in July, I'm wondering if Buck Pasture will be bad enough its worth avoiding till later in the season. I'm glad the mud might not be too bad, I don't mind it. But my dog loves to track it into my hammock.

I was looking at both routes, only issue I have is my Airedale is afraid of heights, took him to the top of Bald Mnt and it was like dragging a mule up it lol. Other than Dead Horse Pass, how exposed are the other passes? Was there Snow last year on the passes on the 4th?

Both the highline and Kings are high on my bucket list, I usually hammock camp so I would have to pop down by the trees to camp. Is there enough options to hang or bring a tent?
 
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