Uintas Conditions 2023

Thanks y'all, I taking your advice and not doing it. After doing the long trail, I've been looking for another thru-hike but it just isn't in the cards right now. I'm switching it up and hitting Colorado. I found some 14ers that sound good right now and tons of people commenting on conditions.
 
Me too, but I don't know about doing any 14ers. I had a permit for Conundrum Hot Springs above Aspen for next Monday and the ranger I talked to said I would need snowshoes and the ability to do a pretty crazy rapid water crossing and be prepared for winter camping. It's at 11,200.
 
Hey guys! I’m planning on heading up to Red Castle this weekend for a few day backpacking trip but havnt seen any recent pictures/reviews on all trails. Snowpack map says there really shouldn’t be much on the trail (definitely still some in the higher elevation areas). This will be my first time in the Unitas (and it’s been a huge snow year) so I’m not totally sure what to expect in terms of how snowy it will be. I’m sure it will be pretty wet tho. Anyone have input on if this is a bad idea or if I will be good in terms of snow? Any info/tips, snow related or not, is appreciated!
 
This was from Sunday, of course much farther west. It's typical of what you will see above 9000'.
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I saw some photos from a friend flying above Red Castle over a week ago. Upper and Red Castle proper had a lot of snow and I expect still will. Lower Red Castle was peeking through, so by this week it could be intermittent.
I would expect a muddy trail with plenty of trees down. Since there are cabins and other access near Stateline Reservoir and surrounding areas I would expect the road to be open that far. Whether it is clear to the trailheads like China Meadows, I have no info. Trees down on the road could be an issue, and it's a long way to hike in if the road is blocked.

Bad idea or not all depends on your experience with snow and your idea of fun. I love early trips and sometimes you can get there before the bugs. I do not love the post holing and shin-deep bogs, but it is expected.
If you go, let us know.

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As a note to overall conditions, as of Sunday the Mirror Lake Highway was cleared past Mirror Lake. BUT, besides a little clearing at the Crystal/Trial lake, no other turnoffs or the road to ML were cleared. With the heat this weekend and next week, it is only a matter of time before the highway is declared open.
Then the mosquitofest can begin!
 
Went up to Crystal Lake Trailhead and did a hike up to Island Lake. There are lots of large snow drifts all along the trail. It was doable, but not the most enjoyable hiking. Still worth the trip up there for the afternoon.
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It's mosquito season.
Wildflowers are starting, and pretty good.
It looks and feels like July for sure.
Also crowded as heck Saturday as we came out. Hordes escaping the heat and offering their blood to the Uintas blood bank.

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Mosquito season is still in full force. Did a quick jaunt up to Four Lakes Basin and up Cyclone Pass to take a look around. What a difference a month makes. Pretty much all of the snow is gone.
 
uintafly said:
Mosquito season is still in full force. Did a quick jaunt up to Four Lakes Basin and up Cyclone Pass to take a look around. What a difference a month makes. Pretty much all of the snow is gone.
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How bad are the skeeters -- like "not too bad", "tolerable for a few days" bad, or "go somewhere else" bad?
 
distractedchemist said:
How bad are the skeeters -- like "not too bad", "tolerable for a few days" bad, or "go somewhere else" bad?
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Hoping for an answer on this. I'd like to run up but my last jaunt was horrific, probably the worst sky full of mosquitos I've ever seen, it was miserable.
 
I spent a night by the East Fork of the Bear at 10,000' this weekend.
Mosquito pressure there was about 1/10 of what it was when I was by Island Lake in early July. They were active all evening until about 9, and then once it warmed up in the morning. The recent cooler snap probably helped.
"tolerable" is probably the word, but I did end up with some bites around my hairline and my calves.

During the day there were some flies, but nothing bad.

I would say we are already on the downward slide.
 
my kid just got back from camping along Upper Setting Rd and says there are still plenty of mosquitoes at 8900'
 
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