East Fork Blacks Fork to Bald Mountain Trail

Overview

Distance: About 4 miles round trip
Elevation gain: About 2,400 feet

This route begins in a dense forest of Lodgepole Pines ravaged by the pine beetle. The tree crowns are an eerie orange and their once-sturdy trunks are pocked by pitch tubes, scars of the assault.

The trail rapidly gains altitude, quickly depositing the hiker into the high country, treated to wrap-around views of the Uintas.

Note: At the East Fork Blacks Fork Trailhead (elevation 9400 feet), the forest service has constructed a bridge. Use this bridge and keep your feet dry.

Getting There

East Fork Blacks Fork Trailhead

From the traffic light in Kamas and the intersection of route 248 and 32, head north 0.1 to SR 150 (Mirror Lake Highway). Turn Right onto SR 150 and follow for 49 miles to FR 058, turn right onto FR 058 (Dirt Road) and follow for 21.2 miles to the intersection with another dirt road heading north south. Turn right and follow road south for approximately 6 miles to the parking area at the East Fork Blacks Fork camping area and trailhead.

Driving directions borrowed from
East Fork Blacks Fork

Route Description

After crossing the river the trail almost soon starts climbing through Lodgepole Pine forest, gaining just over a thousand feet in the next two miles. The trail reaches the top of a ridge, where it levels out and meets the Bald Mountain trail junction. Bear to the right here, as indicated by the sign. The trails soon resumes to climbing again, passing through a verdant meadow, and within a mile of the last junction, the hiker will reach timberline. Bald Mountain (11,776 ft.) is the large, gentle dome before the hiker.

At the highpoint of the Bald Mountain trail, approximately 11,300 feet, depart the trail and ascend about 0.3 miles southwest to the gentle summit.

Essential Gear

Sturdy hiking boots, snacks and water, plus the backcountry essentials.

Images

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