Uintas Amethyst & Middle Basins

DrNed

The mountains are calling and I must go
Joined
Mar 31, 2013
Messages
1,024
After having such a great time in the Uintas this summer on a week long adventure with my kids, I wanted to get out for another multi day trip before it got cold. We decided on the week of September 16.

I recruited my friend Jerry, and after enjoying the pictures & trip reports here on BCP I decided on trip to the Amythest & Middle Basins. During trip planning this was going to be a four day / three night trip. Due to work demands we ended up with a three day / two night trip.

We started out early from the Christmas Meadows Trailhead. Notice the message on the top right of trailhead sign.
IMG_2719.JPG

I say notice because within :20 minutes of hiking we ran into this.
IMG_2721.JPG

After working our way around this mess, the trail is fairly easy with only small rises & falls. My excitement was high and I was feeling good. After a few miles we reached the fork in the trail where one goes to the Amythest Basin, the other to the Middle Basin. We followed the trail to Amythest.
IMG_2722.JPG


Shortly after passing the fork there is a nice little fall.
IMG_2723.JPG

The trail from here into the basin is quite steep and rocky. I don't know if it is always this way or just the time of the year, but from here up, there was quite a bit of water & muck - which really slowed the travel down, got my feet wet and I started chaffing in my groin and getting blisters on the inside of both heels.

By the time we reached the meadow at the entrance into the basin I was ready to get rid of my back and sit for awhile.

IMG_2756.JPG

From here we went up the hill to the right and found a nice spot and set up camp.
IMG_2749.JPG
As much as I like lake side camping this really was a great spot. It was flat, off the the trail, and we had the river just below to serenade us.
IMG_2750.JPG

After setting up camp, getting some food in me I was feeling refreshed and ready to do some exploring.

We wandered on and off trail finding BR-24 first.
IMG_2726.JPG

After walking around BR-24 we got back on the trail towards Amythest. On the way we spotted this guy.
IMG_2779.jpg

He was so patient.
IMG_2781.jpg

I'm not very quiet or a very good photographer, but he did a good job of standing there while I fumbled around and finally got a few good shots. After which he calmly walked away.
IMG_2780.jpg

The hike from here turns out to be easy and the driest part of the trail.

We finally arrive at Amythest Lake. I love how many of these High Uinta Lakes sit in castle like cirques, showing off their majesty.
IMG_2732.JPG

IMG_2735.JPG
Until some bozo gets in the way, messing with their beauty.
IMG_2733.JPG

An outlet from Amythest. For some reason I just loved this view.
IMG_2734.JPG

This is a view down canyon, just below Amythest.
IMG_2739.JPG

Unfortunately, I don't know my directions here. So while looking down canyon we went to the left from here and climbed up this rocky ridge to see what there was to see.

I think this is a moraine.
IMG_2742.JPG

We climbed up just below Amythest and followed this all the way down to BR-24.
My friend Jerry is much quicker than I, so he would get ahead and look around while he waited for me.
IMG_2740.JPG
Messing with the natural beauty of things again.
IMG_2743.JPG

Once we got to BR-24 again, we went further up the mountain in search of Ostler Lake.
IMG_2747.JPG


Here we sat down for awhile and took a little nap. Until it started raining on us.
IMG_2744.JPG

Because the trip had been cut a day short we got up the next morning, broke camp and got on the trail towards Middle Basin. It rained a good part of the night so the muck is in full force the next morning.

After backtracking to the fork, we're on our way to Middle Basin. Shortly after passing the fork you must cross the river on a ramshackle bridge. From what I understand this bridge is not always in and is purely user maintained. I'm glad it was in because the amount of water going through here at this time, if I wasn't I don't know that we could have made it across.
IMG_2759.JPG

As we progressed on the trail the muck got worse, as did the way I was feeling mentally and physically.

It started raining and hailing pretty good, so we stepped into a stand of pines and got our rain gear on.
IMG_2762.JPG


Unfortunately I did not prepare for this trip as well as I should have. I looked at the map of course, but I didn't do any distance calculations so I didn't have any real ideas of how far I had to go to reach the basin. As the trail & weather worsened I had had enough. So once we reached the spot where the trail splits between Middle and West Basins, we got off trail and set up camp.

I had some good blisters, chaffing and mud up to my thighs. Again, though after sitting down for about :30 minutes, eating and debating what the weather was going to do, I was feeling refreshed and we took the risk and headed up towards Ryder & McPheter's lakes and in this case, the eye of the storm.

Unfortunately the muck did not improve, but the weather did and we finally reached the meadow.
I wouldn't say the hike was difficult, but it was tough. There's a rock strewn chute that you must navigate to reach the basin that turns away all but the truly committed - and mine was wavering.

But persevere we did and no doubt about it - it was worth it. There's something about high mountain meadows that really does it for me . . . and this was in September when most everything was brown. I can only imagine the grandeur with warm, sunny, blue skies, green grass and blooming flowers.
IMG_2771.JPG

IMG_2772.jpg

IMG_2773.jpg

IMG_2774.jpg

The bad news - it was 7:30 PM by now and we had two hours of hiking down in front of us to reach camp, so unfortunately we never made it to either of the named lakes. There were several ponds in this wide open meadow.

Fortunately for me I had a reliable partner on this trip who was able to guide us down in the dark. Just before reaching camp the skies cleared and the moon came up behind us. A full moon, just over the mountains is an amazing sight.

We ate, got to bed and woke up the next morning to the best weather all week. We packed up and hiked down to the trailhead and called it a trip.
IMG_2775.JPG

If you're considering doing this trip, and I strongly suggest you do, do your distance calculations it's a ways in. Be prepared for lousy trail conditions and give yourself more time to fully consume this Uinta gem. The advice I would give to my past self - suck it up and camp by the lakes it will be worth it.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2741.JPG
    IMG_2741.JPG
    93.7 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_2777.jpg
    IMG_2777.jpg
    70.5 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_2778.jpg
    IMG_2778.jpg
    83.8 KB · Views: 25
Nice! I think I first saw this on my phone and forgot to come back and read the whole thing. The trail conditions sound pretty typical for that area. Soggy with an extra helping of horse crap. :)

That sucks on the blisters and chafing. I have chafing issues sometimes, and as silly as it sounds, I often pack a little stick of Body Glide. It's worth it's weight and then some compared to hobbling for miles with hamburger thighs. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=B000WDSL24&linkCode=as2&tag=backcountrypo-20
 
After hitting King's Peak several times while I was young, I finally went back to the Uinta's this year.

I hit Amethyst on the first of three trips up to that range spanning east to west this summer. Duck Lake, and Ibantik being the others. Amethyst was by far the most beautiful. Glad you enjoyed it. Looks like you had some good solitude.
 
Nice! I think I first saw this on my phone and forgot to come back and read the whole thing. The trail conditions sound pretty typical for that area. Soggy with an extra helping of horse crap. :)

That sucks on the blisters and chafing. I have chafing issues sometimes, and as silly as it sounds, I often pack a little stick of Body Glide. It's worth it's weight and then some compared to hobbling for miles with hamburger thighs. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=B000WDSL24&linkCode=as2&tag=backcountrypo-20


Thanks for the recommendation! Have you found the Body Glide to be better than old fashioned Vaseline? Horse crap for sure!
 
I haven't but I'm quite sure it would be superior. It goes on dry and lasts a long time. Usually one application does me for a trip but if it's bad, no more than once per day and I'm good.
 
I haven't but I'm quite sure it would be superior. It goes on dry and lasts a long time. Usually one application does me for a trip but if it's bad, no more than once per day and I'm good.

Sweet! Already got it in my Amazon cart.
 
You're lucky Amazon has that little size too. I had to buy Body Glide 'for her' to get it in the small size here locally. Same stuff but I get weird looks when it drops out of my backpack at the end of the day. :D
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
JoshuaDyal Uintas: Amethyst to Middle Basin off-trail pass? Trip Planning 16
Nico Uintas - Toomset/Ostler/Amethyst Lakes Backpacking 8
Jackson First Uintas Trip - Amethyst Basin Backpacking 5
Nanda Invite Amethyst basin(or similar areas) couple nights in uintas Meet Up (Members Only) 3
Artemus Amethyst Pass route across the Uintas Divide Backpacking 8
Nick Uintas: Amethyst Basin Backpacking 5
Tarp Boy Looking for Shuttle service for Uintas Granddaddy basin trip Trip Planning 0
2eez4life Suggestions: Uintas Backpacking with some rock climbing routes Trip Planning 0
regehr (Uintas) Lake Fork Fun Backpacking 8
scatman Reid's Peak - Uintas - July 22, 2023 Hiking & Camping 6
Upgrayedd Uintas Conditions 2023 Trip Planning 39
NorthwestWanderer First time in the High Uintas | Red Castle SNEAK Loop | I give these mountains 5 out of 5 stars Backpacking 7
2eez4life Uintas Conditions 2022 Trip Planning 18
regehr Uintas this weekend? Trip Planning 4
2eez4life 4 days 3 nights in the Uintas Trip Planning 9
6 Uintas Trip Planning Trip Planning 5
Perry Sunrise/Sunset Uintas Marriage Proposal Location Suggestions Trip Planning 25
N Gilbert Meadows- High Uintas Trip Planning 0
Upgrayedd Uintas Conditions 2021 Trip Planning 9
WasatchWill The High Uintas 4-4-4: Four Basins, Four Passes, Four Days Backpacking 20
C High Uintas Wilderness - Last minute plans Trip Planning 4
Mountain Wanderer High Uintas Wilderness - Granddaddy Basin Backpacking 4
scatman Bourbon Lake, Uintas - July 11, 2020 Hiking & Camping 4
ridings82 Uintas Backpacking Loop Trip Reports 12
Upgrayedd Uintas Conditions 2020 Trip Planning 69
B Uintas question Hiking & Camping 3
Tarp Boy Uintas in late June? Trip Planning 10
Born to Hike Mountain Solitude: Reconnaissance Lake, High Uintas, early Sept 2019 Backpacking 9
Ehouston24 Uintas Loop (Red Castle/Kings Peak) Trip Planning 14
DrNed Plan B to High Uintas Backpacking Trip Planning 20
J Uintas Conditions 2019 Trip Planning 209
DrNed Recommendation for 35-45 Mile Route in the Uintas Trip Planning 7
Yvonne A weekend in the Uintas Hiking & Camping 10
WasatchWill 5 Guys on a Trail: A Tour of the Southwestern Uintas Backpacking 12
wabenho Rainbow Lake, Uintas - September 2018 Backpacking 6
DesertRatShorty Solitude in the Uintas -- Gilbert Lake Loop Backpacking 14
jdfut66 Uintas - Priord Lake to Deadhorse Lake Loop Backpacking 6
Born to Hike Clements Lake and East Basin in the High Uintas, mid-July 2018 Backpacking 6
TrektheWorld Need help with Uintas trip - camping Trip Planning 8
Perry Missing hiker in Uintas - Ray Humpherys General Discussion 104
Mike K Uintas Three Nighter Backpacking 13
LarryBoy In Which I Forget Sunscreen (Uintas 2015) Backpacking 11
Brian Handsaker Uintas Backpacking (or Montana) Trip Planning 9
Dave Uintas Conditions 2018 General Discussion 210
Uncle_Dim October in the Uintas Trip Planning 2
Perry Late Season Uintas Day Hike Ideas. Bear River to WFBF and Back? Trip Planning 13
r3biker Backpacking trip to Clyde lake in Uintas Backpacking 8
WasatchWill An Intro to the Uintas Hiking & Camping 2
TClark Uintas - Erickson Basin Aug. 3-5 2017 Backpacking 4
Nick 3 Children Struck by Lightning in Uintas General Discussion 0

Similar threads

Back
Top