Backpacking suggestions

[Clint]

I am trying to plan a weekend trip this summer or spring depending on the feedback I get here. Y'all seem to know what your talking about so I'll leave it at that. I am new to backpacking as well as this area of the country. I have only been on one half assed backpacking trip in my life. I am a prior Marine so I think I can use those skills as well. Back to the point, I wanted to go up in the Unitas. That place appeals to me as of right now because its the only place I've really been so far. I am in decent shape but I wanted to keep the trip to under 30 miles for the weekend. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Nick]

For the Uintas, you'll need to wait until late June or July before you'll be able to get into the good stuff. It's possible with a bad snow year like we're having that it could be earlier in June though. So are you shooting for a 3-day trip up there? What are you into? Fishing? Photography? Peak bagging? Just knocking out miles?

 

[Clint]

Yeah I think a 3 day up there would be nice. However I am open to other options. I would just do a little fishing and site seeing mainly. Just to get out of the house.

 

[Nick]

There are tons of options for a 3-day trip in the Uintas. You could keep yourself occupied for years. If you haven't already, checkout the BCP Trail Guides for the Uintas. We've got a lot in there and more coming. I'd also pickup the Trails Illustrated Map for the High Uintas and the Probst book.

Here are some of my favorites that make good 3-day backpack trips in the Uintas. Most are simply done as out and backs but if you want to make things interesting, there are lots of other ways to spice up the routes by making loops and point-to-points if you have a shuttle.

The most dramatic scenery is found on the north slope. The first three drainages east of Highway 150 have some of the best alpine scenery and could keep you busy for a long time. You really can't go wrong there. I'd probably start with the Stillwater Fork (Christmas Meadows). There are three sweet basins up there that each make for a good 3-day trip although middle Basin (Kermsuh) might be a bit short for that. Amethyst Basin is the most popular and for good reason. Middle Basin with Ryder and Kermsuh Lakes is also a sweet trip. About 20 miles round trip to Ryder but tons of exploring to be done on that middle day.

Here's a quick list of what I think are some of the best 3-day backpacking trips in the Uintas:

Amethyst Basin
Middle Basin
Allsop & Priord Lakes
West Fork Black's Fork & Dead Horse Lake
Red Castle
Four Lakes Basin

 

[Clint]

Again you come thru in the clutch! Thanks I will look at all those options.