Four days in the High Uintas Wilderness



Meghan heading up Red Knob Pass

 I just returned from a four day backpacking trip in the High Uintas Wilderness in Utah. I believe the Uintas are the only mountain range (or one of the very few at least) to run east/west rather than north/south. Perhaps this is one of the things that makes them such a magical place.

Danni and Meghan right before setting out -- courtesy of Meghan Hicks (taken by Bryon Powell)



Danni and Meghan on the first full day


Awhile ago I was musing about how much I really longed for a backpacking trip --- I believe on my blog. My friend Meghan Hicks contacted me and let me know that she was planning to hike the Highline Trail in the Uintas – 80 miles of it – and invited me to come. Within seconds I’d booked my flight and started planning, which for me of course means considering and acquiring gear… anyhow, I shouldn’t admit that.




Meghan on Deadhorse Pass at sunrise




Magical Deadhorse Basin

We began (if memory serves) at what is normally the end for people – Hayden Pass – and planned to finish at Hacking Lake (an 80ish mile journey to be completed in four days), but decided to finish at Chepeta Lake (with a bit of road walking we hiked about 70 miles). We hadn’t factored in delays due to lightning storms, which one does not want to be in above treeline at 12,000 feet. We were in several well above 10,000 feet but managed to not be caught above treeline, thanks for Meghan’s uncanny spidey sense in detecting brewing storms.





Meghan descending into Deadhorse Basin off the pass




Deadhorse Lake (?)

 Another thing we did not anticipate was how technical the trail could be at times, when it existed, and what a disappearing act the trail could be. There was some navigation involved, which slowed us a little, and all-in-all our goal turned out to be a bit aggressive under the circumstances. Since both of us are ultra-runners, it never occurred to us that hiking 20 miles per day could be aggressive. I guess we forgot about how mother nature is in charge sometimes.


Meghan crossing one of many creeks -- Deadhorse Basin



Meghan on Red Knob Pass

To summarize the trip, it was absolutely incredible. The scenery was diverse and ranged from southwesty looking red rock to high scree covered mountains to forested expanses to marshy moose-country meadows. The place was so magical I half expected to see a unicorn fly by. The company was perfect as well, since Meghan is a laid-back easy-going chica. I couldn’t count the number of times I laughed until I cried. I can, however, count the number of times I was annoyed or exasperated – zero. She’s good people.

There were so many incredible aspects to the trip, but for now I’ll recount one that is pretty typical of this trip (excluding the terrifying experience of sitting at 11,000 feet hearing thunder and lightning so close together there’s no counting between the two). On the first day as we approached a significant pass – Deadhorse Pass – a storm was moving in so we set up camp early.

The basin looking back from Porcupine Pass

We missed being pelted with hail by mere seconds and took refuge under our tent (loaned by friend Dave – it was awesome (a Golite Shangri-la 2). Because we began by getting behind, we decided to leave super early before it was light out to make up mileage. (Note: this didn’t work that well as navigation is much tougher in the dark).

The moon setting

The trail up to the pass sometimes resembled goat trails you see in Glacier, which are narrow, slanty/washed out and super exposed. My heart pounded a bit, particularly since the trail was covered in hail. When we reached the top of this amazing pass it took some time to find the trail down the other side. There was a large rock cairn that led us to believe that the route down was right there, though we finally determined that if there was class 4 scrambling involved we would have known about it in advance.

Meghan almost to the top of Anderson Pass

As we descended the actual trail, which Meghan found after scouting the entire ridge while I putzed around and spaced out, the sun began to rise and revealed the most magnificent scenery imaginable. The light, the rock, the basin – it all glowed in hues of orange, red and pink. I felt a euphoria that would reappear again and again throughout the hike.

Meghan almost to the top of North Pole Pass

Long shadows on North Pole Pass

Finally we descended into a hail-covered basin that, though cold, was definitely a likely spot for a unicorn sighting. Enjoying coffee in the brisk chill, breathing in the big-country beauty and watching the sun slowly make its way over the surrounding mountain peaks, I knew that there’s little in life I love more than being outside engulfed in natural beauty. It just makes me feel good.

North Pole Pass (me) (photo courtesy of Meghan Hicks)

near Kings Peak, courtesy of Meghan Hicks (photo and trip)

Our abode -- photo by Meghan Hicks



Me in total bliss descending Deadhorse Pass