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Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Dead Horse Lake is in the High Uintas Wilderness, and offers an 11 mile hike through large, open meadows, stunning vistas, and of course, leads you to a turquoise lake. This lake offers a great spot for fishing and day hiking. People hiking the Uinta Highline Trail also pass right by Dead Horse Lake. It’s a dog friendly trail, though you’ll want to give the sheep herds passing by in the meadows plenty of space. Bring your hammock or tent – there are several nice campsites around the lake and plenty of trees for shade. Be sure to check fire restrictions before heading out.

Directions

From SLC, head East on I-80 towards Park City, then South on HWY 40. Take exit 4 towards Kamas, UT. Once in Kamas, UT turn left at the first stop light (HWY 32), then right at the next stop light for Mirror Lake Highway. Drive along the Mirror Lake Highway until you reach mile post 48. Turn right on HWY 58, which turns into a well-graded dirt road. Reset your odometer as soon as you turn. Drive 16.5 miles until you reach a 4-way. Turn right here onto  FR063.

This is where I will suggest that if you have a small, compact car to jump in your friends SUV or larger. Past this point small cars will have a hard time getting to the trailhead. It’s best to drive in a larger car from here. Stay on FR063 for 5.3 miles, until you reach the ford. SUVs will need to park off to the left and begin hiking here. If you have a truck (or 4Runner/FJ/etc) you might be able to cross the ford depending on water levels. Have someone walk through the water to see how deep it will be – when we went it was knee deep water for me (roughly 1.5-2 ft deep). There was no way my Forester would make it across, so we started hiking from the ford. If you park here, it’s 1 mile to the official trail head (making it 11 miles one way).

Here’s a driving map.

GPS of trailhead: 40.884062, -110.670049

Trail Info

Distance: 11 miles one way

Elevation gain: 1,555 ft

Time: 4-6 hours

Dog friendly? Yes, off leash

Kid friendly? No, due to distance

Fees/Permits? There is a $6 fee for a 3 day pass. It’s free if you have an annual Mirror Lake Hwy, American Fork Canyon pass, or annual National Park Pass. No permit is required. The pass can be picked up at the Bear River Ranger Station, or as soon as you turn onto the dirt road leading to the trailhead for Dead Horse Lake.

Day 1 

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

This is the 4-way stop along HWY 58, and where you’ll turn for the last 6 miles. Notice that a small compact car has parked off to the side, as they will have trouble making it past this point.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

The drive is so pretty!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Stay on FR063 until you reach the ford.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

We came upon a puddle. Ian scoped it out, and walked through it, and it was only ankle deep. I knew I could make it through.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

We only had to drive another few minutes until we reached the ford, where I knew I wouldn’t be able to make it across. I just parked off to the left in the cleared out meadow. Make sure you display your pass in your windshield. We got our packs ready, and were off!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Parts of the ford were actually knee deep! It was nice to start right away in water, since it already seemed like a hot day. I actually ended up hiking in my Teva’s the entire way to the lake. There will be several mucky, muddy, and water-logged sections of trail. Ian switched back into his Altra’s and eventually they got completely soaked. So, I would recommend Teva’s or Chaco’s combined with neoprene socks.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

The first mile to the official trailhead is a dirt road with no shade. Be advised – lots of ATVs, Razor’s, etc will be flying by. Make sure to step off the road and keep your dogs safe here too. I couldn’t believe how fast some of them drove by us.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

At 1 mile you’ll reach the official TH. Now the fun begins! It’s a little confusing though – the sign points straight, but there is no straight trail. Make sure you take the trail that heads south but to the right, where my arrow is. You’ll immediately be on the old jeep road again. This is the correct way.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Passing by a large sheep herd! Thankfully Charlie doesn’t have a large prey drive, so he didn’t really care about them. However if you have a dog that loves to chase animals, please put them on a leash! The cowboys won’t be happy if their herd is being chased other than their own cattle dogs.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

The dirt road is uneventful for 3 miles, yet eventually it starts to open and give you a partial view of the ridge to the East.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

You’ll cross the stream again, then pass by the official wilderness areas signs.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Roughly half way, mile 4.8, you’ll come to this long wooden fence in Buck Pasture. The trail actually follows this fence, cutting across the meadow, and there’s a bridge across the actual stream. If you don’t have your water shoes on yet, now is the time. This was the grossest, muddiest, and longest stretch of a water-logged trail along the way. Not sure why there is a bridge across only the stream when this entire section needs one. I didn’t even use the bridge, I wanted to walk through the stream to get all the mud out from my sandals.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Ahh, back on dry ground. From here there’s one more small muddy section, but it’s easy hiking after that.

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Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

The views open up even more, and you can start to see more of the western ridge that separates Dead Horse Lake drainage from the Allsop Lake Drainage.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

At mile 7.9 you’ll reach a second wooden fence, then cross a stream again.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Backpacking below Mt. Beulah – a popular summit among peak baggers (often accessed via the Allsop Lake drainage).

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

We could finally see the basin Dead Horse Lake sits below. So close now!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Yay, the one and only trail sign and trail split. Stay right. Left will take you to Red Knob Pass (often accessed by the Highline Trail backpackers and those wanting to summit Mt. Tokewanna).

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

We quickly found a sweet campsite!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

I was starving so I made dinner right away. Pad Thai is my absolute favorite backpacking meal!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

A gorgeous evening on the lake!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

OMG, how have I not bought these before? They make the perfect lightweight, sweet treat for backpacking! I’ve always loved marshmallows but these are a step up. Plus they don’t melt! I bought them at Smith’s (I think $5-6) but Harmon’s has them as well (plus Amazon, but they are more expensive online). I ate the whole bag myself over two days haha!

Day 2

Distance: 3 miles RT

Elevation gain: 822 ft

The next morning we didn’t have any plans, we just wanted to see what we’d feel like doing. Ian was still sleeping but Charlie was ready to do something. As I was sitting at Dead Horse Lake, I was looking at the ridge to the West that separates Dead Horse from Allsop Lake. It didn’t look that far, plus I knew Ian would be asleep for another hour to two. I packed my little daypack, and starting hiking.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

First we made our way towards Lake Ejod. What a pretty morning!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Lake Ejod was very shallow and clear.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

From Lake Ejod, I just aimed for the lowest part of the ridge.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Charlie runs through the Dead Horse Lake cirque – he loves doing sprints in meadows!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

I got closer to the base of the ridge. It didn’t look too bad. I planned on hiking straight up with little switchbacks. However, as I started uphill I saw cairns! There was a decent trail to the ridge, with lots of sheep and/or mountain goat tracks.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Almost there. From the base of the ridge to the top gains 253 ft in just 0.2 miles. It’s steep but the switchbacks made it easier.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Charlie and I climb to a small overlook. The wind was crazy up there!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

WOW! What a view. I was so excited to look down into the Allsop Lake drainage, knowing I would be there the following weekend. The peak to the left is Yard Peak, and is probably accessed via Priord Lake (it at least seems the shortest).

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Pano from the Ridge looking West. I didn’t see any obvious way down this side of the ridge to reach Allsop Lake. But the cairns leading up must be there for a reason.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Looking back down to Dead Horse Lake and Lake Ejod.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Pano down to Dead Horse Lake basin.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

I hiked back down a slightly different way, and ended up on the West end of the lake.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

By the time I got back to camp I was starving again! So I cooked up some eggs and bacon and put them in a tortilla.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Ahh, enjoying lake time.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas, Alpaca Pack Raft

The lake looked lonely, so I took out the Alpaca Pack Raft for a ride with Charlie in my lap.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas, Alpaca Pack Raft

He seriously can sleep anywhere!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

What a fun day – I got a short hike in, relaxed, and pack raft time in! Ian fished most of the day and caught about 15 fish, mostly tiger and brook trout.

Day 3

Distance: 2 miles RT to Dead Horse Pass, plus 11 miles back to car for a total of 13 miles

Elevation gain: 631 ft to Dead Horse Pass

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas, Dead Horse Pass

The morning we had to head out and back home, we wanted to first hike to Dead Horse Pass.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas, Dead Horse Pass

I first hiked to Dead Horse Pass in 2016, when I did a big day hike in Rock Creek Basin. From then on, it became my favorite pass in the Uintas, and knew I had to get to that lake.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas, Dead Horse Pass

The trail is easy to follow, though not easy to hike. It gains 631 ft in just 1 mile, and has several steep drop offs.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas, Dead Horse Pass

Ian and Charlie lead the way and hike fast, while I took my time.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas, Dead Horse Pass

Working hard uphill, with an amazing view!

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas, Dead Horse Pass

Whoa, a little scary at one point…

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas, Dead Horse Pass

But we made it to the ridge in 35 minute from camp. Not bad! Once on the ridge it’s flat.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas, Dead Horse Pass

It was so cool to be up here again and to show Ian one of my favorite spots in the Uintas! Afterwards we packed up our camp to hike out.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

Crossing the bridge on the way back.

Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

By this point it was pretty hot, and seeing the last river crossing was such a relief!

 

Trail Map

Pink – main trail to lake

Yellow – trail to Dead Horse Pass

Green – my cross country hike to the Dead Horse/Allsop Lake Pass

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Backpacking to Dead Horse Lake, Uintas

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