Where to go in the Uintas?

[Thomas Rasmuson]

I need some ideas on where to go backpacking this summer. I have places that I go to every year and those trips are already marked down on the calendar. But I am looking for a new spot. I am planning a 3 day, 2 nighter. Looking at anything between 10-15 mile all around trip. Are there any good ones where you can park at one trail head and end up at a different trail head, or any that does a loop where we could pick up camp each morning and move to a different spot? I am considering the Long Lake Loop, and that one sounds really fun, but are there any other good ones? Also, good fishing is a must! Thank you in advance

 

[DrNed]

I did a Ibantik - Notch Lake Loop last summer and loved it. It was around 12-15 miles total. You could also do a variation on what I did and instead of going cross country you could end at the Bald Mountain trail head. As far as views go, Ibantik is awesome and it may be the best bang for the buck there is.

 

[Thomas Rasmuson]

I did a Ibantik - Notch Lake Loop last summer and loved it. It was around 12-15 miles total. You could also do a variation on what I did and instead of going cross country you could end at the Bald Mountain trail head. As far as views go, Ibantik is awesome and it may be the best bang for the buck there is.

That is a great report of the loop. I'm definitely going to do that one this summer!

Another question. What good trips does anyone recommend that is low in elevation in the Unitas? One where the snow melts a little earlier and it's easier to get in an early summer trip instead of waiting until July/August?

 

[Nick]

10-15 is a bit short for a lot of the point-to-points I'd normally suggest. The Ibantik one is good though. About 10 miles starting from Bald Mountain TH and ending at Crystal Lake. I did that route in 2011: http://backcountrypost.com/forum/threads/uintas-ibantik-lake-loop.283/

I'm traveling right now, but I'll think of some others that might work and post when I'm back at my computer. The 'goods' in the Uintas pretty much all involve bumping your mileage though. 20+ is a good start. 30+ and now we're talking...

 

[andyjaggy]

I would think Ibantik lake would be doable in June, I'm hoping to try it anyway. Someone with more experience could chime in and let me know if I am going to get myself stuck in a snowbank trying it.

 

[Dave]

You'll likely encounter snow around the notch at the very least doing Ibantik in June.

 

[Nick]

Yeah, snow on The Notch is highly likely, but like every year, it just depends. Whether winter is good or bad, it's the melt that matters. We'll have a Uintas Conditions thread here on BCP once it starts to melt out a bit. For early trips, there aren't many lakes available but Duck Lake can be good as it is around 9800'. You still have to cross over a little pass though so it would still be a little snowy/muddy even if the lake is clear. I like to hit the lower drainages in the early spring. Shingle Creek is fun, as is North Fork Provo. I have trip reports on both kicking around here. We just hiked until we hit snow. Makes for a nice place to cool a beer down.