Utah 13ers:
High Uintas Challenge
All 19 peaks above 13,000 ft in Utah — every single one buried deep in the High Uinta Wilderness, miles from the nearest road. No drive-ups. No crowds. Just talus, sky, and wilderness. The most remote peakbagging challenge in the lower 48.
The Utah 13ers at a Glance
Unlike Colorado’s 14ers — where a car reaches the trailhead and the summit is a day hike — every Utah 13er requires a significant backpacking approach. There is not a single road within 10 miles of the nearest 13er. Even Kings Peak, the easiest, is a strenuous 28–30 mile round trip. Most of the Emmons Ridge peaks are 35–42 miles from a trailhead. Plan for 3–5 day trips per cluster; the four trailhead groups below each require their own expedition.
Once in the High Uinta Wilderness, cell reception is nonexistent. A satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or SPOT) is strongly recommended for all parties. Download CalTopo or Gaia GPS maps offline before entering. The nearest SAR resources are hours away by ground. Register your trip with the Ashley or Wasatch-Cache National Forest before departure.
Utah Thirteeners by David Rose is the only dedicated guidebook for these peaks — covering approaches, route descriptions, and camp locations for all 19 summits. Available at outdoor retailers in Salt Lake City and online. An essential companion for anyone serious about this challenge.
High Uinta Wilderness Map
All 19 peaks cluster into four trailhead groups across the central High Uintas. Most climbers tackle one or two groups per trip, establishing a high camp near the 11,000–12,000 ft level and day-hiking to nearby summits.
High Uinta Wilderness — Northeastern Utah
All 19 peaks lie within the 460,000-acre High Uinta Wilderness · No roads within 10 miles of any summit
Group 1 — West Fork Blacks Fork (NW): Tokewanna, “NW Wasatch,” “Wasatch Benchmark,” Mount Lovenia, “East Lovenia.” Access via Mountain View, WY.
Group 2 — Swift Creek (W): Wilson Peak, Mount Powell. Access via Duchesne, UT via Swift Creek trailhead.
Group 3 — Henry’s Fork (N): Gilbert Peak, “Gunsight,” “West Gunsight,” “Henry’s Fork Peak,” “Cliff Point.” Access via Mountain View, WY via Henry’s Fork trailhead — most popular approach zone.
Group 4 — Kings–Emmons Ridge (E): Kings Peak, South Kings Peak, “Second Gemini,” “Painter Peak,” “Trail Rider Peak,” “Roberts Peak,” “North Emmons,” Mount Emmons, “South Emmons.” Access via Henry’s Fork or Uinta River/Yellowstone Creek trailheads.
Complete Checklist — All 19 Peaks
| ✓ | # | Peak Name & Notes | Elev (ft) | Difficulty | Links |
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Planning Your Uinta Expeditions
Season & Conditions
The Uintas receive over 400 inches of snow annually. Snow persists above 11,000 ft into late June in most years. The prime window is mid-July through mid-September. After September 15, early season snowstorms become likely and can occur without warning. Afternoon thunderstorms are a serious hazard July through August — plan to summit by noon daily.
Permits & Regulations
Overnight camping in the High Uinta Wilderness requires a free self-issue wilderness permit, available at all trailhead registers. Group size is limited to 14 people. Campfire restrictions are common above 10,000 ft — a backpacking stove is essential. No motorized equipment or mountain bikes within wilderness boundaries. Dogs are permitted but must be under control at all times.
Gear for the Uintas
- Navigation: Gaia GPS or CalTopo with offline maps downloaded — no cell service
- Satellite communicator: Garmin inReach or SPOT — non-negotiable for solo trips
- Footwear: Waterproof boots with ankle support — endless talus and creek crossings
- Layers: Full rain gear plus warm mid-layer even in July — temperature swings are dramatic
- Trekking poles: Talus-hopping with a loaded pack is significantly safer with poles
- Bear canister: Required in some zones; strongly recommended throughout
Most Uinta trailheads are at 9,000–9,800 ft and camp sites at 11,000–12,000 ft. Visitors from low elevation should acclimatize in Salt Lake City (4,300 ft) or Kamas (6,500 ft) for 1–2 nights before beginning their approach. Symptoms of AMS — headache, nausea, unusual fatigue — above 10,000 ft are a sign to slow down, hydrate, and not push to higher elevations until symptoms resolve.