GRANDADDY BASIN, High Uintas — This 8-mile round-trip hike takes you through the rugged but beautiful High Uintas and Ashley National Forest and down into a basin filled with blue/green-tinged bodies of water.

About the area

The trail starts out at the Grandview Trailhead near the North Fork of the Duchesne River in the High Uintas Wilderness and climbs up through rocky and forested areas until you finally reach Grandaddy Basin, where you can fish for brook and cutthroat and camp or continue onward to the other lakes nestled between East and West Grandaddy mountains.

The hike to the largest of the basin’s lakes, Grandaddy Lake, is fairly well shaded, but some climbs do occur during exposed areas. All along the way, the trail offers hikers beautiful peeks through the trees of huge boulders and rock faces, green meadows, pine forests and eventually the lakes.

Celeste Tholen Rosenlof

The trail changes from hardpack to rocky and gravelly sand frequently, so good boots with ankle support and tread are a must. The rocks are not always steady and the gravelly sand can be slippery when heading downhill. Additionally, bring the bug spray and wear lightweight, long sleeves and pants, as mosquitoes in Utah are especially bad this year and this area is no exception. If you’re planning to stay overnight, invest in a mosquito net for your face.

In the summer, hikers can also enjoy the plentiful and colorful wildflowers that dot the green landscape. Keep your eyes peeled for narrow and giant Indian paintbrush, mountain bluebell, woodland strawberry, wallflower and other wildflowers.

What to expect

Sign into the register at the Grandview Trailhead and head up into the trees. In the first 1/2 mile, hikers will cross a shallow stream a couple of times. Watch the water as you’re crossing through it the first time. The second crossing is made easy by a small bridge.

From there, get ready for a pretty consistent climb for the first 2 miles or so. At the top of your 800 feet climb, you will reach Hades Pass and a small lake, where the trail begins to drop down into the Grandaddy Basin. The trail to the lake goes past Heart Lake, rapidly descending before winding around the lake to the shore.

You may spot some campers in this area, as camping is restricted to 200 feet away from any water, trails or other occupied camp spots, and fires are not permitted within 1/4 mile of a lake. You will reach a fork in the trail and a sign pointing to different trails. Lodgepole Lake, LaMarla Lake and Fern Lake are a few of the lakes east of Grandaddy, while Betsy, Mohawk and Pine Island are west of the lake. Pinto and Margo are the north of Grandaddy Lake and can be reached either direction.

If you’re just doing the hike for the day, this is where you can rest before turning around and taking the trail back out to the Grandview Trailhead.

Celeste Tholen Rosenlof

Getting there

To get to Grandview from Kamas, head south on Utah 32 before taking a left on Utah 35. After about 28 miles, turn left onto North Fork Road. Follow the dirt road 11.5 miles past Hades Campground to the junction and take Highway 144 for 5 miles to the Grandview Trailhead. From Heber, head north on US 189/US 40 before turning right onto Utah 32. Follow directions above.

At the trailhead is two parking areas, one for horse trailers and one for vehicles without trailers. There is also a restroom, picnic area and signage with trail information.

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 8 miles round trip

Duration: Four to six hours

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