backpacking & peakbagging - west fork blacks fork - uintas - July 31, 2026
The summit objectives are optional. If you'd rather skip the peaks, you're very welcome to join for the backpacking/basecamp portion and spend Saturday relaxing, fishing, exploring nearby lakes, or doing a shorter hike from camp. Participants are also welcome to make their own plans from camp if they have other objectives in the area; there are a number of high Uinta peaks accessible from this drainage.
I don't expect this trip to be extremely technical, but it is still a remote Uinta backpacking trip with rough trail, wet/marshy sections, creek crossings, afternoon thunderstorm risk, and off-trail alpine terrain for anyone attempting the peaks. Peak participants should be comfortable with loose talus, route-finding, and some Class 2-3 scrambling.
We will need an early start on Friday. The trailhead area is approximately 3 hours from SLC, and I am planning to drive to the trailhead early that morning. Exact meetup/carpool details can be coordinated closer to the trip, but expect a very early departure from SLC, likely around 5:00 AM, so we can start hiking around 8:00 AM. This gives us a better weather margin and leaves time for an optional side objective or fishing near camp if conditions allow.
Itinerary:
Fri, July 31 - Approach to Dead Horse Lake Area
We'll start from the West Fork Blacks Fork trailhead area. Note: I've read that getting all the way to the proper trailhead requires a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle for the river crossing. We will plan to park before the river crossing and start from approximately this location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7pijFv7LxuoFAPvH8 (40deg;53'03.4"N 110deg;40'15.6"W)
From there, we'll backpack to the Dead Horse Lake area and set up camp. Approximate stats: ~10.4 mi, ~1,400' elevation gain. There will be at least one river crossing and likely wet/marshy sections, so water shoes or sandals are recommended.
Route info: https://www.roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/northern-utah/dead-horse-lake
Route GPX: https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=11.3/-110.6667/40.8098&pubLink=jSFsigZXKdR5Ogf64VTb71KD&routeId=c5eeb47f-e25e-4460-86c1-580d8cd1f51b
Optional Friday Side Quest: If time, energy, and weather allow, I'd like to attempt or at least scout the route to Dead Horse Peak for a future trip. This would add approximately ~4.3 mi and ~1,900' elevation gain. This is optional and will depend on conditions and group interest. Others are welcome to relax at camp, fish, explore nearby lakes, or skip this entirely.
Route GPX: https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=14.0/-110.6808/40.7431&pubLink=Im2qwW8OR0GKCshxohIf23QY&routeId=fec160c6-6161-452d-a71e-b587150a6e4b
Route info: https://www.summitpost.org/west-fork-blacks-fork-route/833431
Sat, Aug 1 - Peak Day
We'll start early to attempt Meadow Peak (12,550'), Red Knob Pass Peak (12,242'), and Red Knob (12,216'). Approximate stats for the planned peak route: ~9.7 mi, ~3,600' elevation gain.
Meadow Peak is the main goal. We'll attempt Red Knob Pass Peak and Red Knob on the way back if weather, timing, and group energy allow. I don't anticipate this being extremely technical thanks to the trail up Red Knob Pass, but there will be loose rock, talus, off-trail travel, and some scrambling. Plans may change depending on terrain, timing, weather, and group comfort.
Route GPX: https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=11.5/-110.6901/40.8205&pubLink=D6P8ttKPeCEH6W7qmXkCqGWk&routeId=fd2f760c-aaa1-49e0-8de9-060a1b2ef277
Route information for each peak:
Meadow Peak: https://www.summitpost.org/mountain/950884
Red Knob Pass Peak: https://www.summitpost.org/mountain/865580
Red Knob: https://www.summitpost.org/mountain/864214#chapter_2
Sun, Aug 2 - Hike Out
We'll pack up and hike out the way we came in. If there is enough interest, good weather, and time, we could also consider another optional peak objective such as East Deadhorse or Wapiti before leaving, but the default plan is to hike out.
Required Gear & Expectations:
Participants should have standard backpacking gear/10 essentials, adequate insulation and rain gear, water treatment, sunscreen, bug spray, and a headlamp. Water shoes or sandals are recommended. I'll have maps and a GPX route, but everyone should have their own navigation capability. Some method of food storage to keep food away from sleeping areas is required.
The Uintas can have frequent afternoon thunderstorms, so we will start early on summit day and may change plans or turn around depending on weather. Summit attempts are optional and safety will come first. The Uintas also have ongoing fire risk due to beetle kill and dry conditions, so we will not have any campfires.
Registration:
Send me an email if you want to join or have any questions! Please include:
1. Whether you plan to attempt the peaks or just backpack/basecamp.
2. A quick snapshot of your recent experience/ability level if we don't already know each other: backpacking trips/hikes, peakbagging/scrambling experience, comfort with loose terrain, etc.
Looking forward to exploring a new part of the Uintas!
| Level: | MOD+ |
| Miles: | 31.0 |
| Vertical: | 5000' |
| Route: | Out & Back |
| Pace: | Moderate |
| Organizer: | Reid Gardner |
| Date: | Fri Jul 31 2026 — Sun Aug 2 2026 |
| Meeting Place: | Register with the Organizer |
New to Hiking with the WMC
WMC Hike Ratings
WMC Glossary of Hiking Terms