There are two large roadless areas on the Kamas District: the High Uintas Primitive Area and the Lakes roadless area. The High Uintas Primitive Area is a 239,000 acre wilderness located on five ranger districts on the Ashley and Wasatch National Forests. The Kamas Ranger District manages only a small portion of the Primitive Area, about 15,000 acres at the headwaters of the Duchesne River, including the popular Naturalist Basin. The Lakes roadless area was identified in the 1979 Forest Service Roadless Area Review and Evaluation (RARE II). Comprised of the headwaters of the Weber and Provo rivers, it is over 100,000 acres in size. While not proposed as a Wilderness Area, the most scenic parts of the Lakes Country are being managed to protect their primitive characteristics.

Both areas are characterized by high, rounded peaks, glacially-carved basins dotted with alpine lakes, old-growth forests and deep canyons. Over 100 miles of trails provide access to these two areas on the Kamas District, and hikers and horse riders in the Primitive Area may continue east and south onto the Ashley National Forest on several hundred additional miles of trails. The condition of these trails vary from wide to wild. Some trails, such as the Highline in the Primitive Area, were constructed to a high standard and are easy to find and follow. Others are shown on maps, but may be impossible to find on-the-ground. Almost all trails in the Uinta mountains have sections which are steep, rocky and/or muddy.

This page is organized into three sections: Weber River trails, accessible from County Road 213 east of Oakley; Mirror Lake Highway trails, accessible from the Mirror Lake Highway (U-150) east of Kamas; and Primitive Area trails, accessible from the Mirror Lake and Highline trailheads and the Duchesne Tunnel Road.

Trails are written-up individually or as groups of trails that logically go together. The trail names and numbers used are from the current Forest Service inventory, and may differ from those shown on older maps. Included in each write-up is the trail name and number, a brief description, location, key destinations, USGS quad maps, map corrections, difficulty, amount of use, season of use and trail notes. These write-ups are designed to be used with the Trails Atlas, a bound set of USGS quad maps for the Kamas Ranger District on which trails are accurately identified and mapped.

Several maps showing the trails are available to the public. A forest recreation map for the entire Wasatch-Cache National Forest is available at the Kamas Ranger Station for $1. This map shows roads, trails, campgrounds and key geographic features, but does not display topography. The scale is 3/8 inch equals one mile.

A more detailed map of the High Uintas Primitive Area, including the eastern portion of the Lakes area, is also available at this office. This map, at a one inch equals one mile scale, includes the 200 foot contour lines and shows the heavy-use areas. Its cost is $1.

The most detailed maps available are the USGS 7.5 minute quadrangles, available from the United States Geological Survey in the Federal Building, 125 South State Street, Salt Lake City. Some larger outdoor shops also carry these maps. The cost is $2.50 per quad. They display topography with 40 foot contour lines and the scale is one inch equals 2,000 feet.

When traveling in the High Uintas, please follow the principles of minimum impact camping: travel in small groups; camp out-of-site of lakes, streams, trails and other campers; use existing fire rings whenever possible; bury human waste and pack-out trash. Leave no trace of your presence at a campsite upon departing the area. Pamphlets detailing the principle of minimum impact camping are available from the Forest Service and at many outdoor shops.

USGS Quad: Hayden Peak
Use: Use is light. A good choice for entering the Pinto Lake and Granddaddy Basin areas.
Season: July 10 through October 15. Mirror Lake to East Fork Junction: July 15 to October 15. Duchesne Tunnel to East Fork junctions: July 1 to October 30.
Difficulty: In 1982, heavy winter snows collapsed the bridge crossing the Duchesne River below the confluence of the East and North Forks. The collapsed bridge has been removed from the river in anticipation of construction of a replacement, scheduled for 1984. Presently, fording the stream is hazardous, especially in high water. Immediately east of the crossing, the trail climbs a steep grade across shale rock. The shale tends to slough, making footing unsure for horses. Horse riders are advised to be particularly careful crossing this slope. The rest of the trail is in fair to good condition. Many small streams cross the trail, and there are a number of soft, muddy areas. The Skinner Cutoff is steep.
Location: The west end of this trail begins at a junction with the North Fork of the Duchesne Trail (#086) just below the confluence of the East and North Forks of the Duchesne River. The east end of the trail forks. The right fork connects with the Fish Creek Trail on the Ashley National Forest, about 1/4 mile north of Pinto Lake. The left fork continues east up the Duchesne River, connecting with the Pinto Lake Trail and the Highline Trail.

Trail Notes: The Duchesne Tunnel to East Fork junction section of this trail is a beautiful early season hike. While the high country is still blanketed in snow, the river bottom is blanketed in spring wildflowers. Waterfalls cascade down Marsell Canyon and over the rim from Murdock Basin. The upper section of the trail is a pleasant day hike for campers staying at the Mirror Lake Campground. Hikers and horse riders should be aware that the bridge crossing the Duchesne River below the confluence of the East and North Forks is no longer in place, following several winters of heavy snow and high spring runoffs. While this does not directly affect the North Fork Trail, it does limit use of the connecting East Fork Trail, as this river is hazardous to ford at high water.

USGS Quads: Mirror Lake and Hayden Peak
Use: Light Use. This trail and the connecting East Fork Trail are good"back door" entrances to the Pinto Lake and Grandaddy Basin areas for people who wish to avoid the crowded Highline Trail.
Difficulty: Mirror Lake to East Fork junction: A good trail, but the grade is deceptively steep. Day hikers walking down from Mirror Lake are often surprised at how long it takes to hike back up the hill to the campground. Duchesne Tunnel to East Fork junction: The beginning of this trail is not well-marked from the camping area, and crosses a very soft wet meadow. The grade is gentle, but several unbridged streams present a challenge to hikers during the early-season runoff.

Trailheads:
Mirror Lake Trailhead: Located in the southeast corner of the Mirror Lake Campground. Mirror Lake is 31 miles east of Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway (U-150). The North Fork trail begins on the south side of the parking lot. Toilets, water, horse unloading ramps and mangers are provided at this trail-head.

Duschene Tunnel Trailhead: An undeveloped trailhead located near the bottom of the Duchesne Tunnel Road. To reach this trailhead, follow the Mirror Lake Highway to the Murdock Basin Road, 21.6 miles east of Kamas. Travel north and east on the Murdock Basin Road about 2 1/2 miles to the junction with the Duchesne Tunnel Road, then proceed east toward the tunnel. The trailhead, marked with a roadsign, is located on the last switchback above the river. The Duchesne Tunnel Road is steep, rough and rocky and is not suitable for passenger cars or horse trailers. There are many parking spots in the undeveloped camping area at the trailhead.

USGS Quad: Hayden Peak
Use: Heavily used between July 24 and Labor Day.
Season: July 15 to October 1
Difficulty: Trail is very muddy for the first 1/2 mile south of the Highline Trail early in the season and following summer storms.
Location: Trail begins at a junction with the Highline Trail, 6.5 miles from the Highline Trailhead.

USGS Quad: Hayden Peak
Use: Heavily used between July 24 and Labor Day. This is the favorite route into the Grandaddy Lakes country, especially by horsepackers.
Season: July 15 to October 1
Difficulty: Rocky and muddy in places but well-marked and easy to follow.
Location: Trail begins at a junction with the Highline Trail immediately east of the East Fork of the Duchesne River, five miles in from the Highline Trailhead.

Trail Notes: This trail continues onto the Ashley National Forest and is called the Fish Creek Trail, #076.

USGS Quad: Hayden Peak
Use: Moderate to heavy use during weekends in July and August.
Season: July 10 through October 15.
Difficulty: Moderate. Trail is easy to follow to Wilder and Wyman Lakes and a bit harder to find between Wyman and Packard.
Location: This trail begins at a junction with the Highline Trail, three miles in from the Highline Trailhead. The trail terminates at Packard Lake.

Trail Notes: All three lakes are surrounded by old growth forest. Packard Lake sits on the edge of the Duchesne River breaks, and the view down the river is breathtaking. The lakes are all planted with fish, but fishing success is usually only fair to poor. The shorelines of these small lakes have suffered from overuse in the past. Please help protect the shorelines by camping back away from the lakes in the forest. If you have a fire, use an existing fire ring.

USGS Quad: Erickson Basin
Use: Moderate early in the season; light in the summer and autumn.
Season: Lower section (to Erickson Basin Junction): June 6 to November 1. Upper section (above Erickson Creek): July 1 to October 15.
Difficulty: Fording Smith-Morehouse Creek immediately south of the trailhead is hazardous at high water. Early-season hikers may choose the alternative of parking near the Ledgefork Guard Station, then walking into the campground, proceeding to the south end of the first campground loop road. From here, proceed southeast along Smith-Morehouse Creek until intercepting the main trail. This route avoids fording the stream.
Location: The trailhead is located in the southeast corner of the Ledgefork Campground. Ledgefork is located 12 miles east of Oakley on County Road 213, then four miles south on Forest Road 033. Parking, toilets and water are provided, but there are no facilities for unloading horses. The trail proceeds south from the trailhead, immediately fording Smith-Morehouse Creek. The trail terminates at a junction with the Lakes Country Trail (#066) atop the pass north of Island Lake.

Map Correction: (See Trails ROC Atlas) The upper (southwest) mile of this trail is not accurately depicted on USGS or Forest Service maps. From the junction with the Lakes Country Trail (#066), the Smith-Morehouse Trail proceeds northeast, not northwest as shown on the maps. There is little discernible trail tread in this area. Trail users must depend on rock cairns to mark the way.

Trail Notes: Both Erickson Basin and Island Lake area accessible by other, shorter routes. The Smith-Morehouse Trail is a good choice for avoiding mid-summer crowds. The trail between the trailhead and the junction with the Erickson Basin Trail is well-marked and follows an easy grade. There are a few wet and muddy spots early in the season. Above the Erickson Creek crossing, the trail is steep, rocky and poorly marked. There is one particularly bad wet meadow about 1.5 miles above the Erickson Creek crossing. Horses sink deep in this bog, and there is no easy way around it, so proceed with caution.

USGS Quad: Erickson Basin
Use: Use of the trail is light. Most visitors to Erickson Basin hike in from the Upper Setting Road, which is shorter and easier.
Season: July 15 to October 1.
Difficulty: The trail climbs steadily its entire length and is not suited for weaker hikers.
Location: Trail begins at a junction with the Smith-Morehouse Trail, 2.5 miles southeast of the Ledgefork Trailhead. The trail terminates at a junction with the Lakes Country Trail (#066) and the Upper Setting Trail (#156), 1/4 mile north of South Erickson Lake.

Map Corrections: (See ROC Trails Atlas) About 1/2 mile west of North Erickson Lake, the trail is shown skirting the east and south side of a wet meadow, then proceeding west and south to the pass between Shingle Creek and Erickson Basin. This is not correct. In fact, the trail skirts the east side of the meadow, then climbs a series of switchbacks to the southeast, passing the southwest corner of North Erickson Lake, then joining the Lakes Country and Upper Setting Trails about 1/4 mile north of South Erickson Lake.

Trail Notes: This trail provides a good, aerobic workout for the hardy hiker.

USGS Quad: Whitney Reservoir
Use: Surprisingly, these trails receive moderate use through the summer season.
Season: July 15 to October 1.
Difficulty: Both trails are steep, primitive, rocky and eroded. The second stream crossing of the Dry Fork trail is easy to miss. After crossing the stream the first time about 1/4 mile east of the parking area, the trail stays well above the stream for about one mile, then drops down to the waters edge. This is the place to ford the stream and continue to the southeast. What makes this confusing is that an old trail continues east following the main Dry Fork drainage from this point, and in fact, a person may reach Fish Lake by simply following Dry Fork. However, the main trail shortcuts up the drainage to Round Lake.
Location: Both trailheads are located within 1/4 mile of each other on County Road 213, about 19 miles east of Oakley. Neither trailhead is marked with a sign, making finding them the first time difficult.

Dry Fork Trail: After passing the entrance to Holiday Park (a summer home area), continue to follow County Road 213 east and south for about 1/4 mile. Immediately after the road turns south, look for an opening in the fence on the east (left) side of the road. Often, there will be cars or trucks with horse trailers parked here. This is where the trail begins.

Ridge Trail: Continue south from the Dry Fork Trailhead another 1/4 mile, then take the first road on the east (left). This rough dirt road switchbacks up the hill several times, finally ending on a small landing. The trail continues east up the hill from here.

Map Corrections: (See ROG Trails Atlas) The Ridge Trail is not shown on the map even though it is a well-established trail and has been used for many years. The location of the trailhead is described above. The trail itself climbs to the ridge east of Holiday Park, then proceeds southeast along the ridge to a point above and west of Fish Lake. Here, the trail switchbacks down to the lake. Some Forest Service maps show the Ridge Trail continuing southeast beyond Fish Lake and connecting with the Cuberant Lake Trail. This trail does not exist, although the route may be negotiated cross-country by better hikers.

Trail Notes: Sand and Fish Lakes are natural lakes which have been dammed. There is a lot of trash around Round, Sand and Fish Lakes, mostly a remnant of the dam building days. Please, do not add to these trash piles and if you have the means, haul a bit of the existing trash out with you when you leave.

USGS Quad: Hoyt Peak
Use: Moderate use early in the season, heavy use during the deer hunt in October, but light use during midsummer.
Season: June 1 to Nov. 1 on the lower portion.
Difficulty: The trail from the bottom of the canyon to Yellowpine Lakes is well-marked and easy to follow, but the fork leading to Castle Lake is obscure in places. These trails climb steadily their entire length.
Location: A road sign marks the beginning of the trail, located 6.5 miles east of Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway (U-150). Hikers with low-clearance vehicles may choose to park their cars and begin hiking here. A dirt road proceeds northeast for about 1/2 mile to the beginning of the hiking trail.

Map Corrections: (See ROG Trails Atlas) The Yellowpine Creek Trail follows the west side of Yellowpine Creek for the first 1/2 mile, not the east side as shown on the USGS and Forest Service maps.

Trail Notes: The Yellowpine trails are not the quickest or shortest route to Castle and Yellowpine Lakes. The quickest way in is from the Upper Setting Road. However, the hike or ride along scenic, tumbling Yellowpine Creek is worth the effort. The trail proceeds north on the west side of the creek, and crosses it three times in the first three miles. At three miles up the trail forks: the left fork leads to Yellowpine Lakes, while the right fork climbs steeply up a draw leading to Castle Lake. At the forks of the trail, the USGS map shows the left fork running to the Yellowpine Lakes, and the right fork proceeding north over a pass and into Box Canyon. The left fork is shown correctly, but the right fork bears more to the east than shown, passing south of Castle Peak and terminating at Castle Lake. The trail into Box Canyon no longer exists. Trail users should be aware that permitted livestock graze in this area.

USGS Quads: Mirror Lake and Erickson Basin
Difficulty: Varies by section.
1) Crystal Lake Trailhead to Long Lake: Good trail, rebuilt in 1979. First 1/4 mile follows an old logging road.
2)Long Lake to Island Lake: The trail crosses the Long Lake Dam, then climbs slickrock bluffs north of dam. Hikers sometimes lose their way here. Watch for rock cairns. The last 1/4 mile of trail leading up to Island Lake is very steep, washed out and drops two to three feet over sheer rock in several places. It is a tough section for both horses and hikers to negotiate.
3) Island Lake to junction with Smith-Morehouse Trail: Trail proceeds around the west end of Island Lake. At the northwest corner of Island Lake the trail begins climbing to the pass north of the lake. This is a very rough section of trail with precipitous drop-offs that are difficult for horses to negotiate.
4) Junction to Big Elk Lake: This is a high, scenic section of trail, mostly above timberline. Great panoramic views of the mountains to the south are offered from this route. However, there is little trail tread here, and the route must be negotiated by following rock cairns. This section is an easy hike for those experienced in navigating with a map.
5) Big Elk Lake to South Erickson Lake: The trail is obscure at best and mostly not existent in this section. The country between Big Elk and the pass to the north is a series of broken cliffs which experienced hikers will have no trouble finding a way through. From the pass west to South Erickson Lake the trail crosses slickrock and there is a route marked with cairns, although this is open country and navigation is easy. The final 1/4 mile east of South Erickson Lake skirts an alpine meadow. It is not recommended that horses be taken between East Shingle Lake and Big Elk Lake.
6) South Erickson Lake to East Shingle Lake: The junction of the Lakes Country Trail, Erickson Basin Trail and Upper Setting Trail is about 1/4 mile north of South Erickson Lake. This is different than shown on USGS Erickson Basin Quad. See map corrections write-up (below) and ROG Atlas. The Upper Setting Trail proceeds west from this junction while the Erickson Basin Trail heads north. The Upper Setting Trail skirts, then crosses a large meadow, then heads into the woods, crosses the pass into the head of Shingle Creek and drops down to East Shingle Lake. In the vicinity of East Shingle Lake, the main trail is obscured by a number of "false" trails around the lake. This presents a particularly confusing situation to hikers trying to reach Erickson Basin from the west.
7) East Shingle Lake to Upper Setting Road: The trail skirts the south end of east Shingle Lake, then proceeds south and west to Upper Setting Road. This is a recently constructed, easy to follow trail.

Location: Beginning at the Crystal Lake Trailhead, the trail proceeds west and north to Island Lake, then crosses briefly into the head of Smith-Morehouse Creek before continuing on west to Big Elk Lake. From Big Elk Lake the trail crosses north and west into Erickson Basin, then south and west into the head of the Shingle Creek drainage where it meets the Upper Setting Road. To reach the Crystal Lake Trailhead, proceed to the lake turn-off, 25 miles east of Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway. Proceed north and west toward Washington Lake, watching for signs pointing to the trailhead, which are about 1 mile from the highway. This trailhead is new and not shown on any maps. The Lakes Country Trail proceeds west from the parking area. Parking and a horse unloading ramp are provided, but no toilets or water are available. The Upper Setting Trailhead is located at the far east end of the Upper Setting Road. The Upper Setting Road is located 8.7 miles east of Kamas on The Mirror Lake Highway. The trailhead is about 7 miles from the highway. Upper Setting is a high-standard graded road, but is rough in a few spots making it recommended for high clearance vehicles only. Currently, there are no facilities at this trailhead except for parking. The trail begins by following a blocked, logging road for the first 100 yards before narrowing into a hiking trail.

Map Corrections: (See ROG Trails Atlas) The junction of the Lakes Country Trail, Upper Setting Trail and Erickson Basin Trail is directly north of South Erickson Lake, not atop the pass between Erickson Basin and Shingle Creek as shown on the USGS map. The west half of the trail between Island Lake and Big Elk Lake is north (closer to the base of the mountains) of the route shown on the USGS map. The trail from the Upper Setting Road and East Shingle Lake is not shown on USGS maps. The Crystal Lake Trailhead is not shown on USGS maps.

USGS Quad: Mirror Lake
Use: Long Lake, Island Lake, North Fork Basin: Heavily used between July 24 and Labor Day; moderate use in September. Big Elk Lake, Erickson Basin, East Shingle Lake: Moderate use between July 24 and Labor Day; light use in the autumn.
Season: July 10 to October 1.
Location: Trial Lake is located 26 miles east of Kamas on a Forest road about 1/2 mile north of the Mirror Lake Highway. The Crystal Lake Trailhead is another mile farther west. To reach the Notch Mountain Trail from Trial Lake, proceed northwest across the Trial Lake Dam, then north passed two old cabins toward Wall Lake. From the Crystal Lake Trailhead, the trail begins immediately east of the horse unloading ramp and proceeds north. These two trails join at the east end of the Wall Lake dam. There are toilets and water at the Trial Lake Campground. There is a horse loading ramp at the Crystal Lake Trailhead, but no other facilities. The Crystal Lake Trailhead was recently constructed and is not shown on any maps. Bald Mountain Pass is located 29 miles east of Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway. The Notch Lake Trail, well marked with sign, begins on the west side of the parking area. There are toilets at Bald Mountain Pass, but no water or facilities for unloading horses.

Map Corrections: (See ROG Trails Atlas) The Crystal Lake Trailhead and the trail north from the Crystal Lake Trailhead to Wall Lake are not shown on the map. The trail between Wall Lake and Ibantik Lake roughly follows the route depicted on the map, but switchbacks much more than shown.

Trail Notes: Livestock are permitted in all of the area accessed by this trail, and hikers may expect to see range cattle anywhere. The lakes in this area have been heavily used over the years and many camping sites show the effects of this abuse. Please practice the techniques of minimum impact camping.

USGS Quad: Mirror Lake
Use: This is a very popular dayhike on weekends and holidays. These trails received heavy use by day hikers and backpackers on weekends in July and August.
Season: July 15 to October 1. A large snowfield often blocks part of the trail on the south face until mid-summer.
Difficulty: The trail climbs steadily over rocky terrain. Hikers of all levels of fitness make it to the summit by simply adjusting their climbing speed to match their ability. Most sections of this trail system are well marked and easy to follow. The section between the Bald Mountain Trailhead and Meadow Lake follows a cat road that was constructed to rebuild the Meadow Lake Dam. The one exception is the spur leading to the Weber River. This piece of trail is very steep and poorly marked.
Location: The trail begins at the north end of the Bald Mountain Pass Picnic Area, located 29 miles east of Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway (U-150). There are picnic tables and pit toilets in the picnic area, but no water. There is plenty of parking.

Trail Notes: This is a great hike for people with limited time who want a panoramic view of the High Uintas. The USGS Quad and most other maps label the entire route from Bald Mountain to Trial Lake as the "Notch Mountain Trail" and do not show the name "Notch Lake Trail". A number of lakes are within a short hiking distance of each of the trailheads, making this trail a good choice for day, overnight and weekend trips.

USGS Quads: Mirror Lake and Hayden Peak
Difficulty: An easy hike, although the trail is obscure in a couple of places and quite rocky between Fehr and Hoover Lakes. One spot where it is easy to lose the trail is in the meadow south of Fehr Lake. Avoid following the ORV tracks in the meadow (which lead to the Murdock Basin Road) and instead bear south into the woods. A small sign points the way into the woods. Hiking back from Fehr Lake, several trails lead up the hill to the highway and it is easy to get on the wrong one. The only consequence of this is coming out on the highway a few hundred yards down the road from the trail-head sign.
Location: The trail begins from a turn-out on the Mirror Lake Highway, 31 miles east of Kamas and about 1/4 mile south of Moosehorn Campground. The beginning of the trail is marked with a sign. The trail leads to Fehr, Shepard and Hoover Lakes.

Trail Notes: This trail is a good choice for hikers who have only a little time and want to enjoy a backcountry lake not too far off the road.

USGS Quads: Mirror Lake and Whitney Reservoir
Location: Pass Lake Trailhead: 32 miles east of Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway (U-150). Pass Lake is on the south side of the highway; the Weber River Trail begins on the north side. There is off-highway parking on both sides of highway. There are two spur trails leading to the main Weber River Trail. One begins at the north end of the guardrail across the highway west of Pass Lake. This trail is not signed but is easy to find and follow.

The second spur begins at the "Weber River Trail" sign. There is an undeveloped parking area here. The trail begins immediately north of the highway and runs parallel to it heading west. A small sign nailed to a tree reading "Weber River Trail" marks this route. There are several false trails starting from this parking area heading off into the woods; and it is not uncommon for hikers to lose their way at the beginning of the trailhead. However, hikers who take a minute or two to locate the proper trail near the highway will find it to be well-marked and easy to follow.

Holiday Park Trailhead: Located on Country Road #213 about 20 miles east of Oakley. This end of the trail is blocked by private land belonging to the Valley View Stake. After crossing the main fork of the Weber River on County Road 213, look for a steel gate with the letters "VVS" welded to it. This gate is usually locked, and hikers must find a parking spot along the county road and begin by walking up the dirt road that proceeds south from the gate. The road forks about 1/4 mile south from the gate. Bear to the right and follow a short spur road to its end where the hiking trail clearly begins.

USGS Quad,: Mirror Lake
Use: This trail is not used a great deal and provides a hiker or horseback rider, who enjoys traveling through the woods along a mountain stream, a chance to get away from the crowds camped at the lakes. The Lofty Lake Trail is a popular day hike, while the Cuberant area is regularly used by backpackers in July and August.
Season: July 10 to October 15. Lower end of the trail near Holiday Park may open earlier.
Difficulty: Both trails are steep and rocky; and the Cuberant Trail is obscure in places. The trail drops more than 2,000 vertical feet between Pass Lake and Holiday Park, making it an easy hike down, and a moderate to difficult hike up. Taking the spur to Meadow Lake makes the hike from either direction difficult, as this short section is both poorly marked and very steep.
Location: The Lofty Lake Trail begins at a junction with the Weber River Trail (#079) about 1/2 mile west of Pass Lake, which is located on the Mirror Lake Highway, 32 miles east of Kamas. The trail climbs passed Kamas and Lofty Lakes before dropping to Scout Lake and Camp Steiner where it ends. The Cuberant Lake Trail begins at a junction with the Lofty Lake Trail, one mile north of the Weber River - Lofty Lake Trail junction. The trail terminates at Cuberant Lake.

Map Corrections: The USGS map depicts these trails accurately. However, some Forest Service maps show the Cuberant Trail continuing north to Fish Lake. While strong hikers may negotiate this route by traveling cross-country, there is no trail as such between the two lakes.

Trail Notes: It is possible to do a loop hike from Pass Lake via the Lofty Lake Trail by following the trail around Kamas, Lofty and Scout Lake, then proceeding to Picturesque Lake at Camp Steiner and traveling cross-country through the woods back to Pass Lake. This is perhaps one of the most scenic day hikes on the Kamas Ranger District. The round trip is about 4 miles. Several rushing streams draining off Reid's Peak cross the trail and may pose a hazard to hikers trying to cross them early in the season. The trail drops steeply the first three miles below Pass Lake, and there are many steep, rocky and muddy sections here. Lower down, the trail assumes an easier grade. The trail is fairly easy to follow except for the section about 4 miles down that runs along the northeast side of the Weber River. Here, there are places where the trail follows close to the creek and is difficult to follow through the thick willows.The trail crosses the main stream twice, once about 3 miles below Pass Lake, then again about 4.5 miles down. Both crossings are difficult at high water, although there are downed logs that provide natural bridges for hikers. Plans are being developed to improve the Pass Lake Trailhead. This will provide more convenient parking and eliminate the difficulty of finding the trail at the top end.

USGS Quads: Hayden Peak and Mirror Lake
Use: 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.
Season: July 15 to October 15.
Difficulty: 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.
Location: Highline Trailhead: Located 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. 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.

Trail Notes: 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. In August 1983, a horse slid down the snowfield, crashing into the rocks below, breaking its neck and dying. Horsepackers should avoid Rocky Sea Pass until late August or September. The Highline is the main east-west route crossing the High Uintas. 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.

Trail Notes: Immediately east of the junction of the Blue and Naturalist Trails, the Naturalist Basin Trail fords a stream. While not particularly hazardous, the stream runs deep early in the season and poses a challenge to hikers who want to keep their feet dry. Naturalist Basin is a very popular area and campers are urged to practice the principles of no-trace camping. The best areas for picketing horses are the meadows east of Jordan and Everman Lakes. Firewood is scarce in Naturalist Basin around the more popular lakes. Campers traveling to the high lakes - Blue, LeConte, Faxon, Shaler or Hyatt - must use backpacking stoves as these lakes are above timberline. If you build a fire, use an existing fire ring. Camp at least 200 feet from the edge of all lakes. Also, camp out of sight and sound of trails, streams and other campers. Verrill and Gatman Lakes are good choices for campers who want to avoid the crowds.

Move on to Trail Finder: Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Move on to Wasatch-Cache National Forest Index

Return to Top

RELATED GORP LINKS
GORP Utah Resources
GORPtravel Adventure Vacations