Looping the Highline - Episode Two

Perry

Formerly Cuberant
.
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Messages
2,072
This is the second in a series of three day solo backpacking trips in the interior of the Uinta Mountains. The theme involves avoiding out-and-back routes, making a loop involving the Highline trail. You have to get pretty creative to keep the mileage manageable for a three or four day trip. This is one that has become one of my favorites.

Heres a video of the adventure if you would like.



On the way into to the trail head a view of Tokewanna Peak whets the appetite.

82336


The East Fork Blacks Fork trail traverses through forest, across meadows and of course includes numerous river crossings. I managed to keep dry feet on all crossings only to end up stepping in a hole full of water when crossing a meadow. Grrrr!

82337


82369


Lunch break would be in a stand of trees next to the river to take shelter from the first of several rain events that day. While having my lunch here I would get rained on, hailed on, sun came out, and wind whipped up a couple of times. I ended up having to get out my poncho tarp to cover up my pack and myself but stayed mostly dry.

As a consolation I had a good view of Mt Tokewanna to the west.

82338


Trail begins climbing up through the trees to reveal the ridge line separating the main canyon from Little East Fork Blacks Fork.

82339


First peek at Quandary Peak.

82340


Coming out of the trees I found a nice big meadow with some picture opportunities. Got out the tripod and started shooting when clouds came in bringing rain and hail once again. I did manage at least one picture though.

82341


A look back to the east at the lower end of Little East Fork Blacks Fork.

82342


Rain came through again after leaving tree line. There was no place to shelter so I thought I probably should put on my poncho tarp. As hard as I tried could not manage to get the poncho up and over my backpack. I tried everything I could think of. As I continued to wrestle with the dang thing I look up and there is sunshine and blue sky above me (grrrrr). I wasted a bunch of time for nothing.

The trail continues up to the very head of the main drainage then climbs up a series of long switch backs. It was quite a haul.

82343


It would rain on me yet again as I neared the top but was rewarded with a beautiful rainbow show.

82344


More rewards. Looking off to the west into West Fork Blacks Fork. Impressive Mt Beulah commands respect.

82345


Finally over the top the Lake Fork River Drainage is revealed with Mt Lovenia standing watch.

82346


Arriving at Red Knob Pass was a bit disappointing as the clouds were blocking the sun. No good light on the head of West Fork Blacks Fork, home of beautiful Dead Horse Lake.

82347


I waited as long as I could hoping for a break in the clouds. Finally got a bit of light and a poor shot of Dead Horse Lake.

82348


Zooming in I was able to capture the heads of several drainages in the area. I hadn't realized the close proximity of so many of them. I had just crossed over from the East Fork Blacks Fork. Standing on Red Knob Pass I had Lake Fork River Drainage at my back. In the foreground is West Fork Blacks Fork. Over the first low pass is Left Hand Fork Bear River home of Allsop Lake. Over the next ridge running up to Yard Peak is the head of the Rock Creek Drainage flowing to the south. Over the next pass between the Yard Peaks is the Right Hand Fork Bear River Drainage containing Priord Lake. I'm pretty sure over the next high ridge is the Amethyst Lake Basin area. I might be wrong on some of this but seems right to me. Pretty amazing.

82349


Camp that night would be along the Highline Trail in the Lake Fork drainage not too far from the Lake Fork River Trail junction. Not the best choice as the grass was wet from the rain and it's pretty low-lying near the river. It was damp and cold but after 15.7 miles sleep came quickly.

Next morning I got back on the trail just before 8 am. Arriving in the Lambert Meadow area I was treated to a beautiful stream crossing.

82350


Although I had been through the area in 2017 I never realized how far back it goes.... and how beautiful. Sure wish I could have camped here.

82351


Love the numerous tarns in the area. Reflections are delicious.

82352


82353


First glimpse of the Oweep Creek Drainage. Sure looks like a long way over there!

82354


Passing by Squaw Pass leading to the head of Little East Fork Blacks Fork.

82355


Next up: Off trail, up and over the pass to the Smith Fork Drainage. Actually found some cairns running up right-hand side suggesting a way up. It wasn't all that bad gaining the pass.

82368


A shot of my favorite view along the Highline Trail.

82356


Over to the Smiths Fork side the views continue to amaze. Wilson Peak and Red Castle Peaks along with three of the Red Castle lakes.

82357


Part way down from the pass Upper Red Castle Lake with Wilson Peak as a back drop.

82358


Passing by Red Castle lake I finally found a normal trail after traveling over rocks and rocks and more rocks. Numerous cliff bands along the way required some navigation to find reasonable routes. I took what I think is an older trail below Red Castle Lake. Foot path was only visible occasionally. I found no blazes or cairns until it would rejoin the more formal trail just above Lower Red Castle Lake the next day.

Glad I went this way though. Otherwise I would have missed this fortuitous tarn.

82359


Camp two will definitely do!

82360


It was a hard day coming over that off-trail pass at the end of a long day. I had hoped to have made it part way up the Bald Mountain trail to make camp so I didn't have a long final day. After 13 miles I was done for the day.

Final day. Looking back at Red Castle as I approach the Bald Mountain Trail junction. What an impressive mountain!

82361


The Bald Mountain trail pulls up through the trees to finally reveal the saddle to which I would head. I was hoping the trail might pass below one of the numerous snow drifts so that I might get a cold drink of water. It was not to be as the trail heads off to the north from the just below the saddle.

82362


Final climb up to the saddle was pretty steep. Some switch backs helped somewhat but the views rewarded.

82363


Once on top its a different world. Expansive in every direction.

82364


Heading toward Bald Mountain the distances are hard to judge.

82365


The trail runs along the east below the summit of Bald Mountain providing views of many of the prominent peaks. If I'm not mistaken the peak almost dead center is Kings Peak.

82366


Gorgeous Bald Lake below.

82367


From here the trail descends back down to the East Fork Blacks Fork trail. Since I had to cut day two's miles short this was a longer day that I had planned. However, the incentive of Mexican food in Evanston provided much-needed motivation for the 11+ miles out. It was a great trip. I highly recommend the route.
 
Last edited:
Wow @Perry ! Best photos so far, the combination of clouds, sun, stormy weather is awesome. I also love the reflections in some of the photos. No lightning at all when you had rain and hail? I would worry about it, we have once been chased down the mountain.
Thanks for sharing.
 
Wow @Perry ! Best photos so far, the combination of clouds, sun, stormy weather is awesome. I also love the reflections in some of the photos. No lightning at all when you had rain and hail? I would worry about it, we have once been chased down the mountain.
Thanks for sharing.

Thanks!

Yeah it was an odd day. Never did see any lightning although there had to be some somewhere since there was thunder. Once I got up to the pass it just rained but no thunder to be heard. Its a hard call many times up there.
 
Awesome report! I love the shots high up in the drainages, especially the one looking down on the Red Castle lakes. So cool.

I was thinking about doing something similar to this a little under two weeks ago, but ended up only having one night for backpacking, so I went to Naturalist Basin instead. It's the best time of the year up there right now! Even though I STILL had a few mosquitoes going at me in camp.
 
Awesome report! I love the shots high up in the drainages, especially the one looking down on the Red Castle lakes. So cool.

I was thinking about doing something similar to this a little under two weeks ago, but ended up only having one night for backpacking, so I went to Naturalist Basin instead. It's the best time of the year up there right now! Even though I STILL had a few mosquitoes going at me in camp.

Thanks!

I'm hoping to get at least one more over-nighter in before the snow comes in full force. Naturalist Basin sounds like a good option.
 
Looks great, but you are missing at least one sunrise or sunset photo, with those lakes and clouds, you had to have had at least one good one, right? :)

This report makes me want to move to UT
 
Looks great, but you are missing at least one sunrise or sunset photo, with those lakes and clouds, you had to have had at least one good one, right? :)

This report makes me want to move to UT
Wow! You're right! What was I thinking to miss the sun events. Must have been more tired that I thought LOL.
 
Thanks!

I'm hoping to get at least one more over-nighter in before the snow comes in full force. Naturalist Basin sounds like a good option.
You've got this! Looks like the weather should stay generally good, if only a bit cold. I've gotten a few mid-October trips in before. I love how few people are there then. Best time to enjoy busy places like Naturalist and other stuff off of MLH.
 
I did a similar, albeit longer trek that covered almost the exact same route. The extra days for me were added by continuing to Deadhorse Pass, to Squaw Basin, and over the Ottoson Basin Trail to hit the same spot. I also returned the same way you did over the unnamed pass by Red Castle. That view might be my favorite in all of the Uintas. I don't think another spot has held my attention in the same way. I could have stayed up there for hours. Great report and a great trip. Thank you for sharing. I love the video.
 
I did a similar, albeit longer trek that covered almost the exact same route. The extra days for me were added by continuing to Deadhorse Pass, to Squaw Basin, and over the Ottoson Basin Trail to hit the same spot. I also returned the same way you did over the unnamed pass by Red Castle. That view might be my favorite in all of the Uintas. I don't think another spot has held my attention in the same way. I could have stayed up there for hours. Great report and a great trip. Thank you for sharing. I love the video.

Thanks! The view of the Oweep Creek basin from Porucupine Pass is my favorite of the entire Highlline.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Perry Looping the Highline - Episode Three: The Crossing Backpacking 6
Perry Looping the Highline - Episode One Backpacking 14
LarryBoy Looping the Highline: Gilbert Peak Edition Backpacking 13
JBG Water Beta 2022 - Highline Trail Trip Planning 6
J Uinta Highline Trail Shuttle Trip Planning 0
JBG Water on the Highline Trail - 2021 Trip Planning 2
Parma Uinta Highline Trail Website General Discussion 1
Born to Hike 85 miles on the Uinta Highline Trail including Crater Lake and a Dinosaur: July 26 - Aug 1, 2020 Backpacking 35
S Uinta Highline Trail shuttle options? Trip Planning 5
Born to Hike Early June 3-day jaunt on the Uinta Highline Trail: Naturalist Basin, Pinto Lake, Margo Lake Backpacking 8
DrNed Highline Movie General Discussion 6
B Highline trail questions Trip Planning 12
sydissoocool Looking for a backpacking buddy for Uinta Highline Trail Noobs: Introduce yourself! 6
DrNed 2019 Highline Planning - Leidy to Mirror Lake Trip Planning 75
Nick Unfinished Business: Highline 2018 Backpacking 46
Parma Highline: A feature documentary on the Uinta Highline Trail General Discussion 21
Dave 3/4 Highline in ±96 Hours Backpacking 10
DuneElliot Trip Report: Backpacking the Uinta Highline Trail, July 2018 Backpacking 6
K Uinta Highline Trail, July 4-8 2018 Backpacking 6
Perry Uinta Highline trail - East to West - Mission Accomplished! Backpacking 24
Jimmy BANFF: Fish/Devon Lakes/Pipestone Highline Backpacking 5
Perry Mirror Lake-Highline Loop Hiking & Camping 0
Amanda Mitchell Vernal, Utah Uinta Highline Trail shuttle offer Noobs: Introduce yourself! 9
DaveW Uinta Highline - Chepeta Lake to Hayden Pass Backpacking 6
Perry Uinta Highline Trail Part II Planning Trip Planning 67
WasatchWill UHT - Day 6: Olga Lake to Highline Trailhead Backpacking 3
Perry Uinta Highline Trail - East to West Backpacking 21
Parma Highline Trail, Whiterocks to Mirror Lake Hwy Backpacking 33
Perry Uinta Highline Trail: Food and Bears. General Discussion 39
seekinglost Uintas Highline Trail Solo Thru Hike - Getting to/from trailheads logistics Trip Planning 59
Blake Merrell Planning a Uinta Highline Trail Trip Trip Planning 51
DrNed Highline To WFBF Part 6 Backpacking 12
DrNed Highline To WFBF part 5 Backpacking 44
DrNed Highline to WFBF part 4 Backpacking 8
DrNed Highline Trail to WFBF part 3 Backpacking 3
Parma Have You Completed The Highline Trail? General Discussion 2
natylka 100 miles of Highline trail in Uintas Trip Planning 39
DrNed Highline Trail To WFBF Part 2 Backpacking 5
DrNed Highline Trail to WFBF Part 1 Backpacking 3
A Help me with a Trip to Grandaddy and Highline trail Trip Planning 5
Hurakan Highline to Grandview point to point Trip Planning 0
SPAC3MAN UTAH: Highline Trail Trip Planning 13
Bob Petzholt Highline Trail Resource Discussions 1
mathew highline trail uintas Trip Planning 23
JoeJoeMeek Uintas Highline Trail General Discussion 18
Bob Teton Highline Trail - The long way Backpacking 22
Dstring The Highline Trail, 8/31 - 9/7 Backpacking 25
Nick The Highline: Leidy to Chepeta Backpacking 10
Nick Live from The Highline Trail General Discussion 65
Nick Uintas Highline Trail 2012 Trip Planning 58

Similar threads

Back
Top