Henry's Fork Basin - Camp Site Suggestions

[Perry]

I'm going to be taking Cyndie on her second backpacking trip this weekend. Its going to be a three day, two night going from China Meadows TH, up past Lake Hessie and into the Henry Fork Basin. Looking for some suggestions for good camp sites in the basin. She loves waterfalls so that could be a factor. Any ideas of what might be good in that area?

 

[Ugly]

I am surprised there were not other responses, and I forgot after reading this that I was going to go and look back in the archives. Henrys Fork has kinda been a basin I have avoided for a while, but a long time ago I remember Lake Blanchard and then getting up to Cliff lake were nice scenery. Especially right now when it will be autumn colors and the weather is good to be above the treeline. I do not remember any real waterfalls.

I would say though that the extra 2 mile huff up and over Lake Hessie is going to be felt either going in or out, or both by coming in from China meadows. The positive is that the aspens and willows with the chance for seeing moose could be nice.

Dollar lake and Henry's are the lakes with the crowds doing Kings peak- normally.

 

[Perry]

I am surprised there were not other responses, and I forgot after reading this that I was going to go and look back in the archives. Henrys Fork has kinda been a basin I have avoided for a while, but a long time ago I remember Lake Blanchard and then getting up to Cliff lake were nice scenery. Especially right now when it will be autumn colors and the weather is good to be above the treeline. I do not remember any real waterfalls.

I would say though that the extra 2 mile huff up and over Lake Hessie is going to be felt either going in or out, or both by coming in from China meadows. The positive is that the aspens and willows with the chance for seeing moose could be nice.

Dollar lake and Henry's are the lakes with the crowds doing Kings peak- normally.

Thanks for the info @Ugly! The crowds in Henry's Fork Basin are definitely a concern and was hoping someone could point me away from the problematic locations. I like the suggestion of Blanchard and Cliff lakes being a little higher. Are there good places to camp in that area?

Originally I was going to take her into Red Castle but wanted something a little different. The plan is to cross the divide above Hessie for that wonderful view of Henry's Fork and all the thirteeners to the south. I'm planning the return to be up the Dahlgreen Ridge trail then drop down to China Meadows past Sargent Lake. This will give me some new miles I haven't seen before (The west side of Henry's Fork, The crossing via Lake Hessie and the Sargent Lake route).

We're going to hit China Meadows in the late afternoon on Friday with the hope to get to Lake Hessie to camp for the night. Saturday we'll make our way into Henry's Fork Basin where I would like to camp at Blanchard/Cliff lake. Sunday I think we would head around the Henry's Fork Loop and find a nice camp site for Sunday night. Monday we would depart via Dalhgreen Ridge/Sargent Lake trails. There is very little water on this last leg so we'll have to pack more water. At least this is the initial plan. Any other thoughts?

 

[Ugly]

Up by Blanchard I remember it being normal rocky alpine, but I am sure late in the season with some areas dry now that were previously wet you can find places. I prefer those kinds of places to being down in the trees when the weather is good. If you decide to stop short there are some tarns and stuff around Henry that I am sure have plenty of places to camp and innumerable firepits as happens in the busy places in the Uintas.
But I think much of the crowds will be gone. Most people disappear when temps start to drop to freezing at night.
For the rest, sounds awesome. Should have some variety, views and big blue skies.