Basics
- Location:
- 26 miles south of Mountain View, WY on the northern slope of the Uinta Mountains
- Length:
- 12 miles oneway
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Time:
- 4 to 5 1/2 hours
- Elevation Change:
- 1900 feet
- Season:
- Late June through September
Description
East Fork of Smith's Fork trail travels easily through heavy forest for about 8 miles before climbing to the upper basin and its views. Beautiful and popular Lower Red Castle Lake (45 acres) is 10 miles in and has good camping and fishing. 2 miles further is Red Castle Lake (168 acres) the largest lake in the Uintas...Up to the switchbacks, the trail is mostly through timber interspersed with meadows. The scenery is close-up views of stream and forest, with occasional views of Red Castle Peak and Bald Mountain from open areas. The upper 3 miles of the trail features outstanding alpine scenery, dominated by Red Castle Peak and the ridges and headwall that define the basin. The final mile is above timberline, as is Red Castle Lake.
Details
Location:
26 miles south of Mountain View, WY on the northern slope of the Uinta Mountains
Length:
12 miles oneway
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Llong but not too much elevation gain
Llong but not too much elevation gain
Time:
4 to 5 1/2 hours
Elevation Change:
1900
Season:
Late June through September
Useful Map(s):
USGS Quads: Mount Powell and Bridger Lake
Camping Info
4 designated campsites and dispersed camping at trailhead. Suitable camping available anywhere below the timberline.
Additional Details:
This is a recently reconstructed trail, following the East Fork Smith''s Fork Stream. The stream crossings are bridged and the trail is well marked and easy to follow. The trail makes a steady gradual ascent, with one steep section that is switchbacked, about 7 miles from the trailhead. ..The trailhead has a stockloading ramp; parking; vault toilet, but no water. Water is available all along the trail, but should be boiled for drinking. Usually, natural horse feed is most abundant in late July and early August. Feed becomes sparse higher in the basin...The trail gets heavy use in the summer. 8 miles in, there is a trail junction with Trail #111 to Smith''s Fork Pass. The trail also forms junctions with the Highline Trail #105.
Map + Directions
Basic Directions
Trailhead campground is 26.2 miles from Mountain View. Take Wyoming State Highway 410 south out of Mountain View, about 8 miles. Where the highway makes a sharp right angle turn to the west, go straight onto Uinta County Road 283 (gravel) and continue to Forest Service Road 072. Follow signs past Stateline Campground, past China Meadow Campground, to Wilderness Trailhead.
