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I am visiting from the Idaho board and am planning to visit from Idaho this summer, however I am nervous that will not happen. I need some input. We are planning a backpacking trip into the high Uintahs starting July 7th. With the snow pack the way it is I am hoping to get some info on whether or not we will be able to make this happen. I have never been there, but witht he elevation am thinking that it may be too early to get in. If there are any experts on this or heck anyone that has even been there let me know what you think. Do I need to go to plan B? Thanks!
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I was thinking bout going up about that same time ish and plan b is going to need some snow shoes.
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Or cross country skis. I ran into one other person while out hiking. She was on cross country skis[laugh]. She went a lot further than I did.
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Most years it would be great. This year I think a couple weeks later would be a much safer bet. If you can't come that late, I would try and focus on lakes under 10,000 feet, which limits you quite a bit. Most the good ones are around 10,100-10,600 feet.
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Unfortunately, I agree with the rest. July 7th would be fine on many years, but this year the higher areas will likely still have snow. We have a horse trip planned for one of the upper basins - July 20th. We are watching our local indicators (Timp / Nebo) and will be taking a reconnaissance drive on the Mirror Lake Highway the week before. Hope that will be the week. We might be pushing it even then.
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I'd keep a close eye on the Snotel site. We're going in the second week of July, right now some of the higher areas do have quite a bit of snow, however I see that they are melting at a rate around 4" a day. That would equal a 56" snow melt in two weeks assuming it continues at or near the same rate. Obviously hotter weather will accelerate this melt. Five Points Lake (my indicator) sits just short of 11000' so I would anticipate based on this data that is will be snow free around June 29th. Higher passes might be a little dicey and there will be some lingering drifts but I think we'll go for it. Bring some gators in case you do have a little extended patches of snow to cross.
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Thanks for all the information. I will keep on eye on the snotell sight and hope for the best. If we can't get in I might be able to squeeze it in during August. Last time we planned this it got cancelled due to forest fires this time possibly snow. You never know with the higher elevations, perhaps that's why I love going there. Thanks again.
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We had planned a backpacking trip to Granddaddy lake and beyond. Called FS today, they said it still snowed in and wouldn't open up until end of July. I'm thinking that was over-cautious, though.
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I agree, I think it's safe to say that UDOT and the Forest Service are both being over-cautious. There's still lots of snow, but it has been melting. I would say one to two more weeks before the Mirror Lake Highway opens, then another couple weeks before the lakes will be open. I'm still planning on my July 14th trip.
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Brookie guy is probably right. If you don't need to go to far, there are some south facing lower elevation lakes. But I would wait. Lily lake on the Swift Creek Drainage opens early. Elevation is the key, then direction facing, plays in. Sawmill lake on the Henry's. Or pray for 100 degree end of June.
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It's not just the snow that's going to put a halt on your plans. The road up Yellowstone Canyon is closed, as is the Hells Canyon road due to saturated soils and flooding from high run off. There are very few areas on the Uintas that are accessable and fishable right now. I hope conditions improve soon. I really need to get out.
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Well, it is not looking good for the high uintahs. It looks like I am tied to the week of July 6-9, does anyone have Any advice on a place to go within a few hours of the Spanish Fork area? My cousin and I do backpacking/fishing trip every year and we don't want to miss out this year. I heard of a lake near Huntington to pack into, being from Idaho I don't even know where Huntington is, but am open to any suggestions. Thanks for any help you can give. If anyone is looking to come to Eastern Idaho I am would be more than willing to return te favor?
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You might try a new thread with that question. Perhaps the Boulders?
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I was looking at heading up to the brown duck basin, I was told by the duchene ranger district and was told to plan on August...
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