Uinta Mountains
Naturalist Basin
Highline Trail
Butterfly Lake
Morat Lakes
Blue Lake
Agassiz Peak
6.1 miles One Way
1,350 Feet Elevation Gain
I got to finally got to check Naturalist Basin and Agassiz Peak
off my list, and better yet, it I got to do it with a group
of good friends. Great conversation, laughs, informative safety
meetings and lots of fresh delicious fish will always make this
trip stand out as one of my favorites.
Naturalist Basin is a multi-tiered
wonderland of lakes and alpine scenery. Nestled between
two 12,000+ foot peaks (Agassiz 12,428' and Spread
Eagle 12,540'), in the western end of the main 100
mile Uinta spine, Naturalist Basin is one of the quicker
routes to get into the wilderness experience of the Uinta
Mountain Range.
Over the years, the area has become extremely popular, over-fishing,
destructive camping and too many campfires have taken their
toll on some of the purity in the area, but it remains an incredible
treasure just the same. The Forest Service has now permanently
banned campfires in Naturalist Basin, and has shut down many
campsites, especially around the first meadow in Naturalist
Basin.
The Uinta Mountains are special in that they run east-west.
Behind the San Juan Mountains in Colorado, The Uintas boast
the most area above treeline of any mountain range in the United
States. They are also special in the fact that they are one
solid unbroken mass of quartzite, the granite below remains
unfractured. Most of the lakes, ponds and streams get their
water from springs year round.
To get to the Naturalist Basin Trail Head, Take Uinta Highway
150, east of Kamas, Utah. Park on the east side of the road
by Butterfly Lake Campground, after Bald Mountain Pass, and
Mirror Lake.
THE TRAIL TO NATURALIST BASIN:
The trail to Naturalist Basin starts with the famous Highline
Trail which traverses the entire 100 Mile Uinta Mountain
Range.
About half a mile into the hike, you will reach a intersection
with a trail going right, which goes to Mirror Lake, continue
forward towards Rocky Sea Pass and Naturalist Basin.
At around 2 miles, you'll see a sign for Scudder Lake,
or if you miss the sign you'll see the lake to your right through
the trees.
At about 3 miles you'll reach the trail to Packard
Lake, which turns right and is 1.5 miles one way to
the lake. Continue forward, from here the trail starts
to steepen a bit. Around 4 miles in you will reach the
trail to Naturalist Basin which turns left or north. If
you continue on the Highline Trail, you will reach another
trail to Four Lakes Basin or you could continue
to the Rocky Sea Pass or continue down the Highline Trail.
After turning up the Naturalist Basin trail, the grade steepens.
After walking through the wooded forest for a mile, you will
drop down into a beautiful meadow with tall cliffs in front,
with a junction of running mountain streams.
From here you can go right (East) to Jordan Lake, or you can
go left to the Morat Lakes and beyond to Blue Lake. We chose
the Morat Lakes because it was a crowded weekend and Jordan
is much easier to get to, and is usually crowded.
On your way to the Morat Lakes, you will reach a meadow with
a small pond in the middle, make sure you follow the trail on
the right or east side of the meadow.
This section is the steepest part of the trail, don't rush it,
you'll be there soon enough.
Many camping areas were closed, so be prepared to hike a little
to find a suitable camping spot. You can also go up to the Blue
Lakes area, it's a little higher, but you should find more solitude.
The trail from Morat to Blue gets confusing near the top, but
it's short, stay close to the stream (The waterfall is dried
up this time of year). Once on top of this plateau, walk toward
the base of Agassiz Peak to find Blue Lake.
Saturday and Sunday, September 1-2, 2007
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
We found this sign at about 5 miles into the tra
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
From around 3 miles into the west end of the Hig
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
From near the turnoff to Packard Lake, Looking n
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Looking northeast toward the meadow at the entra
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
From the ridge between Agassiz Peak and Spread E
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
From the East Morat Lake looking southwest towar
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Looking west toward Peak 11,641' from East Morat
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Looking northwest up to Agassiz Peak Summit, 12,
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
From West Morat Lake looking southwest towards t
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
From West Morat Lake looking north. Agassiz Peak
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Naturalist Basin
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
From the southeast end of Blue Lake looking nort
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Looking west over Blue Lake toward Peak 11,641'
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
From Blue Lake looking south.
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Looking south over Blue Lake 10,940', with Peak
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Looking south over Blue Lake
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Looking west towards Agassiz Peak, 1,500 feet ab
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Quartzite cliff edges on the north end of Blue L
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Agassiz Peak 12,428', a better view of the cliff
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
East Morat Lake and West Morat Lake. Both sit on
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Looking south over West Morat Lake, with the Wes
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
West Morat Lake from atop the Blue Lake tier.
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
East Grandaddy Mountain
Naturalist Basin - Uintas
Looking down from Agassiz Peak toward Blue Lake
Message Board
Page Posts: 4
NAME
CITY
DATE
Dick Miller
Pekin, IN
2008-05-29
Based on this year's snowfall, is any of Naturalist Basin accessible in late June? I don't mind hiking and camping on snow as long as I can find the trail! If not, can anyone suggest a good alternative?
Duane
Kaysville
2008-04-05
two years ago I took the highline trail up to carolyn lake on a solo hike. Despite the beauty she had to offer i really wanna explore naturalist basin now. The uinta mountains are the most spiritual place on earth in my opinion. Thanks!
Katelynn Henry
Provo, UT
2007-09-06
Me and my husband Brett, toured through this area many years ago, it was nice to see it again.
Cheers!
Will J.
American Fork, Utah
2007-09-04
I was just up there with my son, Patrick, during the last week of August. We stopped at Jordan Lake, but your pictures of Blue Lake make me want to go visit the areas above.
Thanks!
