Uinta Highline Trail
Uinta Mountains, UT
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Perfect backpacking weather with sunny skies and highs in the 40s by Tuesday. Stream crossings are running low at 40-90% of normal — no worries there. Wind will be gusty (20-30 mph) but from the northwest, so you'll have some shelter in the canyons.
33°/11°F · Sunny
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45" depth
Normal flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
11h 55m daylight · Sunrise 7:34 AM · Sunset 7:28 PM
Full Briefing
This is shaping up to be an excellent March backpacking window in the Uintas. Weather is stable with sunny to partly sunny skies through your trip and daytime highs climbing from 33°F Monday to 41°F Tuesday. Nighttime lows will drop to 11-30°F, so plan for winter sleeping systems and frozen water bottles in the morning. The main weather consideration is sustained northwest winds at 20-30 mph — you'll feel this on exposed ridges and passes, but the canyons and south-facing campsites will offer good wind protection.
Stream crossings are in great shape. Five regional gauges show flows running 40-90% of median with stable to falling trends — this means straightforward rock-hopping conditions on most drainages. The Annie Springs SNOTEL at 6,000 feet shows 33 inches of snow depth with a falling trend, indicating the snowpack is settling rather than actively melting. With nighttime lows well below freezing, you won't see significant snowmelt contribution to stream flows during your trip.
No fire activity within 50 miles means clear air and unrestricted trail access. Daylight is just under 12 hours with sunrise at 7:34 AM and sunset at 7:28 PM — plan your daily mileage accordingly and carry a headlamp for any pre-dawn starts or post-sunset camp tasks.
Timing-wise, get an early start each day to maximize the warming hours and avoid breaking camp in the coldest pre-dawn period. The wind will be most noticeable during midday heating, so save exposed ridge travel for morning hours when possible. With stable weather and low stream flows, this is about as good as March conditions get in the high country.
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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