Contact Info
Notch Mountain Trail
Kamas, UT 84036
Kamas, UT 84036
Basics
- Location:
- About 40 miles south of Mountain View, Wyoming
- Length:
- 11 miles oneway
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Time:
- 3 to 4 -1/2 hours
- Elevation Change:
- 2500 feet
- Season:
- June to October
Description
This is a rigorous up and down hike with great views from the top of Bald Mountain. Be prepared to wade Black's Fork the very first thing! There is no bridge here. The trail ascends steeply out of East Fork Black's Fork climbing over 1,000 feet within one mile, to junction with Highline Trail. Climb continues over Bald Mountain (11,400 feet) elevation offering spectacular views, then drops into Red Castle Basin. At footbridge, the trail intersects with East Fork Smith's Fork Trail #110. From here you can take the trail to Lower Red Castle and Red Castle Lakes or continue on the trail to Smith's Fork Pass, past East Red Castle Lake and Smith's Fork Pass Lake. Red Castle Basin is very heavily used.
Details
Location:
About 40 miles south of Mountain View, Wyoming
Length:
11 miles oneway
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Time:
3 to 4 -1/2 hours
Elevation Change:
2500
Season:
June to October
Useful Map(s):
USGS Quads: Mount Powell, Lyman Lake
Additional Details:
Suitable places to camp are found on either side of Bald Mountain, in the Bald Lake vicinity, and in Red Castle Basin up to timberline. Trail overlooks Bald Lake bust does not go to it. You can make your way to Bald Lake by going south along the ridge 1/2 mile or so until terrain becomes gentle enough to follow natural contours down to the lake.
Water is not always available along trail, until is descends from Bald Mountain. Sufficient amounts of drinking water should be carried along this section of the trail. Drinking water should be boiled. Horse feed is available most of the way becoming sparce higher up in the Basin. There are some good meadows where the trail comes off Bald Mountain. Domestic sheep grazing is permitted in the basin.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Trailhead is about 40 miles from Mountain View. Take Wyoming State Highway 410 south out of Mountain View, about 8 miles. Work your way to Forest Service Road 073, then FS Road #058 then FS Road 065 to the Cache Trailhead. the Bald Mountain Trail starts just east of there.
