Basics
- Location:
- Along Highway 150 about 35 miles northeast of Kamas
- Length:
- 100 miles oneway
- Difficulty:
- Difficult
- Elevation Change:
- 1900 feet
- Season:
- June to October
Description
The Highline is the main east-west trail traversing the High Uintas. Between the Highline Trailhead at Hayden Pass to East Park Reservoir on the Ashley National Forest, the trail stretches nearly 100 miles. The Mirror Lake Trail is a short spur of the Highline, providing access to it from the Mirror Lake Campground. .At Rocky Sea Pass, the trail crosses onto the Ashley National Forest. It then traverses the head of Rock Creek, crossing onto the north slope over Dead Horse Pass, then back onto the south slope over Red Knob Pass. From here it continues east, crossing the Lake Fork, Yellowstone, Uinta River and Whiterocks drainages, ultimately terminating at the Little Brush Creek road north of East Park Reservoir. From the Highline Trailhead to East Park Reservoir is nearly 100 miles. .
Details
Location:
Along Highway 150 about 35 miles northeast of Kamas
Length:
100 miles oneway
Difficulty:
Difficult
Elevation Change:
1900
Season:
June to October
Useful Map(s):
USGS Quads: Mirror Lake and Hayden Peak
Additional Details:
Very heavily used every day between July 24 and Labor Day. It is not uncommon to encounter 50 to 100 other hikers and horsepackers in the first four miles of the trail. Those seeking solitude will avoid this trail before September. Both trails were built to a high standard about 20 years ago and are wide and easy to follow. Subsequent heavy use has left these trails rocky and/or muddy in many places. Hikers often complain about the muddy conditions, but horse packers find the route quite satisfactory...Just beyond the junction with the Naturalist Basin Trail, the Highline Trail fords two forks of the East Fork of the Duchesne River. No constructed bridges are provided across these streams; and early in the season, high water makes crossing them difficult. Hikers can usually cross the stream on downed logs in the vicinity. The east side of Rocky Sea Pass is blocked by snow until late in the summer, usually until August 15. This snowfield is a dangerous obstacle for horses...Toilets, water, horse unloading ramps and mangers are provided at both trailheads. The parking area at the Highline Trailhead is full almost every day between July 24th and Labor Day, forcing many vehicles to park along the nearby highway. The Mirror Lake Trailhead is paved, and often has parking available when the Highline Trailhead is full.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Highline Trailhead: Located at Hayden Pass, 34.5 miles east of Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway (U-150). Mirror Lake Trailhead -- Located in the southeast corner of the Mirror Lake Campground which is 31.5 miles east of Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway.
