ApproachFirst drive to the town of Roosevelt, which is along US Highway 40. From Roosevelt, turn north on State Highway 121. Follow State Highway 121 north to the small town of Neola. From Neola follow the road due north and eventually it curves into the Uinta River Canyon at a power plant. Continue along the main road while following the river all the way past the U-Bar Ranch and to the trailhead at the end of the road.
Route DescriptionBreifly put: From the trailhead (7800 feet elevation), follow the trail north along the Uinta River. After about 3 miles, you will reach a junction. You will turn left here, crossing Sheep Bridge and onto the Chain Lakes Trail. Follow the trail, steep in places to the Chain Lakes Basin. Lower Chain Lake is about 7.6 miles from the trailhead and at 10,580 feet elevation. 4th Chain Lake is two miles beyond and at 10,900 feet elevation. Any of these lakes make a fine campsite.
From 4th Chain Lake, take the trail over Roberts Pass to the Lake Atwood Basin, and then over Trailrider Pass to Painter Basin. You then follow the trail all the way to Anderson Pass, but it is faster to make a more direct "bee line" to Anderson Pass from the Trailrider Pass area by crossing Painter Basin. Since the country is open and above timberline, navigation is easy with a map and compass, or GPS.
From the east side of Anderson Pass, and just before the final steep climb to the pass, leave the trail and head north. There is a track in places, because of people heading for the “shortcut notch” back to Henrys Fork to Kings Peak or vice versa.
The notch is marked as 12,450 on the map. From the notch, climb up the ridge to the northeast. The ridge is easy, with only a few sections of boulder-hopping at the top. The summit is about 650 feet above the notch. Enjoy the fine views from the summit.
This route usually takes 4-5 days, sometimes more. The round trip distance is just under 50 miles.
Essential GearA good pair of boots is needed.
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Uinta Mountains
