Notes on Hiking in Utah:Utah has
some of the best hiking found anywhere. I have hiked through Yosemite,
in the Absorka Range and Beartooths in Montana, and the Tetons. These
places are fantastic as well but I have a special place in my heart for what
Utah has to offer. The terrain is unparalleled considering it's
proximity to SLC. I have spent countless hours and logged well over a
1,000 miles in northern Utah walking and skinning in the Wasatch and the
Uintas. A fair piece of those miles, maybe 10%, was gained by skinning
to gain access to numerous off-piste skiing routes. Whatever season,
this state offers incredible outdoor adventure.
Hiking in the Wasatch is
very different from the Uintas. The Wasatch offers quick and very steep
trails, normally has many people, and offers "little" in the way of
overnight camping possibilities (I may get some flack for that last one...).
The Uintas offers many long haul trails with abundant camping found 10's of
miles from the nearest semblance of civilization. While the trails are
long, for the most part they are not that steep. The pass hiking is
exceptional, with many square miles of above timberline hiking. The Uinta mountains are "bigger and broader" giving the
perception of more rugged terrain. Their beauty is only matched by the
solitude one feels, particularly when undertaking a multi-day hike deep within the
heart of the range. This is not to say the Wasatch is not rugged and
gorgeous. Hiking to Lone Peak, Mt Olympus, White Baldy, Thunder
Mountain, SLC Twin Peaks, and Lake Blanche in the Wasatch provide
breathtaking views all normally within a day's hike and a half hour drive
from the valley.
Always research route conditions and carry a
map. Study maps and books to make sure you know the way. This is
particularly important in the Uintas due to their solitude, inconsistent signage,
and long trails. Some books that I have found to be essential are
Hiking the Wasatch by John Vernath, Wasatch Tours Volumes 1-3 by Kelner &
Hanscom, and High Uintas Backcountry by Jeff & Brad Probst.
The National
Geographic Trail Illustrated Map #711 High Uintas Wilderness is a great
1:75,000 scale map. It is water- and tear-proof and color coded.
You'll need a higher detailed map to fully plan trips. I recommend any
of the 7.5 minute quadrangle maps. I found a killer website which I
found linked to topozone.com called
mytop.com. From the latter, you
can create a variety of topo maps at different scales and centered on the
areas you intend to hike. These maps can span six or more quadrangle
maps and only cost about $16. They are also water- and tear-proof and
color coded. The print could be a touch better but you can save money consolidating into one map.
