Uinta Highline Trail
Uinta Mountains, UT
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
The stream flow data in this briefing is from California gauges (San Antonio River, Salinas, etc.) and does not apply to the Uinta Highline Trail — treat that CAUTION flag as a data error, not a real hazard. Real concerns: Wednesday brings 50% chance of light snow with daytime highs of 27°F and nights dropping to 14-15°F through the trip. November in the Uintas at elevation means cold camps and short days — you have 10h 22m of daylight with sunset at 5:16 PM, so plan mileage accordingly.
32°/14°F · Mostly Sunny
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0" depth
Elevated flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
10h 22m daylight · Sunrise 6:55 AM · Sunset 5:16 PM
Full Briefing
The main thing to manage on this trip is the cold and the Wednesday snow event. Highs are 27-32°F the whole stretch, and nights are dropping to 14-19°F — this is genuine winter camping in the Uintas, not late fall shoulder season. Wednesday has a 50% chance of light snow, so expect potentially slick terrain on exposed ridgeline sections mid-trip. Snowpack at nearby SNOTEL stations is currently zero (Annie Springs, Long Lake, McNeil Canyon all showing 0" depth), so any accumulation Wednesday will be fresh and light, not a buried hazard — just a traction issue on rocky trail. Pack accordingly for icy footing on day 3 if the snow sticks.
Daylight is your logistics constraint. Sunset at 5:16 PM means you're working with roughly 10.5 hours of usable light, and in the Uintas that matters on a highline route where you want to be in camp or at a sheltered spot before dark. Plan your daily mileage to arrive at camp no later than 4:30 PM. With the Wednesday snow, visibility on exposed ridges could reduce your effective travel window further — if you're on the highline proper, aim to clear any exposed sections by early afternoon.
The stream flow data in this briefing is geographically mismatched — the five gauges cited are all in Central California (Salinas River, Alameda Creek, Llagas Creek) and have zero relevance to the Uinta Highline Trail. Do not use those numbers to assess crossing difficulty. In November, the Uintas are typically in low-flow late-season conditions, so crossings should be straightforward — but verify at the trailhead if you have any concerns after Wednesday's snow event, as snowmelt from fresh accumulation at elevation can briefly bump flows on exposed stream crossings.
No active fires within 50 miles, no smoke concerns. Weather window is actually reasonable — Tuesday is mostly sunny with light winds, Thursday clears back out after the Wednesday event. The cold is the real factor here: 14°F overnight Thursday night means your sleep system and camp routine need to be dialed for genuine winter temperatures. Get moving early each day to maximize your daylight buffer.
Waypoints
Hayden Pass
Western terminus at Hayden Pass on Mirror Lake Highway.
10,696 ft
Naturalist Basin
Beautiful basin with numerous lakes. Good layover day option.
10,499 ft
Kings Peak Side Trail
Junction for Kings Peak summit attempt. 4-mile side trip.
11,499 ft
Chepeta Lake
Eastern terminus at Chepeta Lake. Long dirt road to nearest town.
10,200 ft
Route Details
Distance
104.0 mi
Elevation Gain
17,999 ft
Elevation Loss
18,999 ft
Max Elevation
12,500 ft
Estimated Days
7
Trailhead
Hayden Pass Trailhead
Best Season
July through September. Snowfields linger on north aspects into August.
About This Route
The Uinta Highline Trail traverses the Uinta Mountains in northeastern Utah—the only major east-west mountain range in the contiguous United States. The 104-mile trail follows the crest of the range, staying mostly above 10,000 feet with several passes above 12,500 feet. The trail passes through vast alpine meadows, past hundreds of lakes, and beneath Kings Peak (13,534 ft), the highest point in Utah. The Uintas have a distinct character from other western ranges—the broad, rounded summits and extensive plateaus create a feeling of vast openness unlike the jagged peaks of the Tetons or Cascades. The route is typically done west to east, starting at Hayden Pass and ending near Chepeta Lake. Water is abundant from lakes and streams. The terrain is generally less technical than other western high routes, making it accessible to fit hikers. Wildlife is abundant, including moose, elk, and mountain goats.
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