Limber Flag Yurt Trip, High Uintas Wilderness

Uintas

Limber Flag Yurt Trip

The Limber Flag Yurt is in the far East Uintas, roughly 33 miles north of Vernal, Utah and only 16 miles south of the Flaming Gorge Dam Visitor Center. The Limber Flag Yurt overlooks the Uinta Basin, and Red Fleet State Park area to the South – at night you can actually see Vernal’s city lights! To get to this yurt requires a 3 mile hike (no motorized travel is allowed December – March). You can snowshoe or ski, though I don’t recommend skiing here unless this area has a really big snow year. Otherwise you’ll have to constantly pick up your skis to cross logs and low sage brush.

Contents hide

5.1 How can I make a reservation?

5.2 How much does it cost to stay at the yurt?

5.3 How many people can stay in the yurt?

5.4 What does the yurt provide?

5.5 Is there water access?

5.6 What should I bring?

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10.1 Share the love!

About

I had made a reservation for 2 nights here, but on the morning that we were supposed to leave SLC got a huge snowstorm the previous day and all that day (2 ft at our house), making it impossible (or at least really dangerous) to make the 3.5 hour drive to the yurt. I was so bummed! We kept checking UDOT to see if the roads had improved, and instead all we saw were more and more accidents on the highway. The next morning we had to snow-blow another foot of snow from our driveway, but at least the roads were in much better condition, and because it took so long for us to dig out we didn’t get to the trailhead until 2pm. We got to the yurt by 4:30pm with just enough daylight to spare to set up everything.
We literally stayed in the yurt for about 20 hours, but we made the best of our time! Kids would be able to hike this trail as well, but plan on 2-3 hours to reach the yurt. Sadly, dogs are not allowed in the Limber Flag Yurt.

Directions

You can get to the TH from I-80 through Wyoming, using this map

You can get there from HWY 40 and Vernal, UT, using this map

The trailhead for the Limber Flag Yurt starts from the Aspen Nature Trail parking lot on HWY 191. The road is paved the entire way, so you don’t need 4×4 drive.

Trail Info

Distance: 3 miles one way

Elevation gain: 813 ft

Time: 1-3 hours to reach the yurt

Dog friendly? No, dogs are not allowed at this yurt

Kid friendly? Yes!

Fees/Permits? Yes, see below

GPS location of yurt:

40.74421, -109.44190

Altitude: 8,900 ft

FAQs

How can I make a reservation?

Reservations typically open in October, and can be made online through Recreation.gov. Everything is done online, and once you make a payment you will get an email notification with all the yurt info on there and your reservation number. The forest ranger should call you a few days ahead of your reservation to give you the lock code to get inside the yurt.

How much does it cost to stay at the yurt?

The yurt cost $50/night, plus a $10 transaction fee, so for two nights it was $110.00.

How many people can stay in the yurt?

You can sleep a max of 8 people, though I don’t recommend bringing 8 people. The yurt is small and you want some room to put all of your gear. I feel like 6 is a good amount, especially if you have a lot of gear.

What does the yurt provide?

The yurt is equipped with bunks (this one has double mattresses), a propane stove (propane is included), kitchen utensils, and plenty of firewood.

Is there water access?

No. There is no running water nor a nearby stream to filter water. You either need to carry it all in, or melt snow, then filter.

What should I bring?

-Your own sleeping bag and pillow

– stove system & water filter

– toilet paper

– food & alcohol

– games or cards

– really thick socks, slippers, or down booties for inside the yurt

– firewood is provided but you need fire starter & a lighter

– lanterns

– your own sponge, biodegradable soap, and towel to clean dishes

– trash bags (everything must be packed out)

– first aid kit

– any other entertainment you want!

The trail starts to the right of the port-a-potty – follow the blue diamonds.

Within 5 minutes you’ll cut through a gate (make sure to close it behind you!), and you’ll see the large blue sign for the yurt.

The trail hikes through a really pretty Aspen area. You can see nobody had been to the yurt since the most recent snow storm. We were making fresh tracks in 4-5 inches of snow, but it wasn’t quite deep enough for snowshoes.

Cross another road, and follow the tall blue pole.

Eventually the trail turns North, and will head down this small hill. You can see where the trail is from here.

Cross through gate #2.

And almost halfway to the yurt, cut through gate #3 (the last one).

The one “steep” section along the trail. It’s not really that steep, but when you are carrying a heavy backpack it sure feels like it’s steep!

Keep following the blue diamonds.

There’s a very faint, small brown sign that says “To Yurt”. Turn right here.

When you see Trail 1170, you are within 5 minutes of the yurt!

Yay we made it in 1 hour 35 minutes!

Christmas Day with my love!

(I swear we didn’t coordinate the lime green & blue LOL!)

View from the deck! There was plenty of firewood to keep the wood burning stove going. I recommend bringing your own knife, saw, or axe to make kindling.