BALD MOUNTAIN - Amazing Peak on the Mirror Lake Highway, Utah

11,943 foot Bald Mountain from the east along UT 150
Bald Mountain at 11,943 feet in Utah's High Uinta Mountains is an amazing terrain feature. It dominates the view for many miles around as you travel Utah State Highway 150, known locally as the "Mirror Lake Highway". The highest point on this highway is Bald Mountain Pass at 10,715 feet and near this point is a parking area for the Bald Mountain Summit Trail which is approximately 2 miles long one way and leads to the most amazing views. From the top of this peak you can see over 20 alpine lakes and to the east you have fantastic views of 12,479 foot Hayden peak which makes up the western boundary of the 456,705 acre High Uintas Wilderness Area. As you hike along this trail to the top of the peak, you may encounter some large shaggy white mountain goats. Some of the best views to be found in the wilderness are right near the trail-head. First, about .2 miles east is the Bald Mountain Overlook. There are several parking spaces set atop of some amazing cliffs. The views to the west of the alpine meadows and rugged peaks are stunning to say the least. It is a fun thing to park here and walk along the edge of these cliffs and climb down to different cliff levels. Be careful as there may be piles of old snow drifts here well into July. The opening scenes of the 1970's show "Grizzly Adams" were filmed on these cliffs where Adams climbed down to save his bear cub "Ben". Just east of the Bald Mountain trail-head a sign on the left hand side of the road will announce the Hayden Peak Overlook. This small parking area and viewpoint provides amazing views Moosehorn & Mirror Lakes and the higher peaks of the Uinta Mountains to the east. Bald Mountain and the Mirror Lake Highway are an easy 1.5 hour drive from the Salt Lake City area. To get there follow Interstate 80 east 28.5 miles to Silver Creek Junction (US Highway 40). Take the exit for US 40 south and follow it for about 4 miles to the Utah Highway 248 exit. Follow UT Highway 248 for 15 miles to the town of Kamas, Utah where the road will end in a T junction with Utah Highway 32. Turn left on Utah highway 32 and follow it north for a few blocks to the junction with UT Highway 150. This is the Mirror Lake Highway. Keep in mind that Kamas is the last chance for gas, and food until you arrive in Evanston, Wyoming many, many miles distant so stock up in Kamas if necessary. Turn right on UT Highway 150 and follow it east 45 miles through some gorgeous mountain country to the Bald Mountain trailhead. There is a day use fee of $6.00 charged by the USFS if you are going to park anywhere along this road. There numerous USFS campsites and picnic areas along this route as well as areas where you can enjoy primitive camping. Keep this area in mind for next summer as the winter snows may have already closed the road this year. If that is the case, you can always do what I do and plan ahead for your next amazing adventure when the snow once again recedes and in the meantime daydream of the alpine wonderland of Bald Mountain, the Mirror Lake Highway and the High Uintas Wilderness Area.                                                                          JD Jessop

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