Wasatch-Cache
The majestic peaks and rugged backcountry of the Wasatch-Cache lie within easy reach of Salt Lake City, one of the Rocky Mountain's fastest growing metropolitan areas.
Encompassing nearly 1.3 million ecologically diverse acres, including seven Wilderness areas, the Wasatch-Cache National Forest is one of the most frequently visited in the nation.Tremendous recreation opportunities abound across the varied landscapes. Albion Basin boasts a magnificent display of rare and color wildflowers, spring, summer, and fall. Pineview Reservoir hosts an astounding 750,000 water-loving visitors annually.
The High Uintas Wilderness Area offers a remote and refreshing escape from the congestion of urban & suburban life. Even though it's vast, the Forest's widespread appeal is not without consequence. Frequent visitation increasingly exerts pressure on wildlife habitat, watershed, and wilderness areas. Now, more than ever, public participation is crucial if we are to leave a healthy Forest for future generations.
The Forest is a popular day-use destination for the nearly 1.8 million people residing in nearby cities and towns who come to hike, ski, picnic, view wildlife, drive the scenic byways, snowmobile, and ride their off-highway vehicles (OHVs). Others stay longer, taking advantage of the Forest's campgrounds, yurts, and backcountry camping sites, as displayed in this handy, interactive map. Designated trails and areas for traditional pastimes, such as horseback riding and hunting, along with fishing and mountain biking are also located on the forest.
Watch raptors migrate at the Wellsville Mountains Raptor Migration Project, conducted by Hawk Mountain International (HWI).
The Wellsville study was one of the first standardized raptor migration counts initiated in the western U.S. Annual counts typically ranging between 2,400-5,600 migrants of up to 17 species.
The most commonly seen species are the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper's Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, and American Kestrel. The project now runs from 27 August through 31 October each year.
Map:
Wasatch-Cache statistics
State(s):
Utah
Nearest large Urban Area:
Salt Lake City
Notes & Conditions:
Research campground locations and amenities at the U.S. National Forest Campground Directory. The Web site is full of pictures and detailed descriptions to help you plan your next trip.
If you want to experience a guided recreation trip in a National Forest, visit Adventure Vacation to learn about whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding, camping, hiking and fishing trips.
If you're headed into the mountains during winter, you need to be aware of avalanches. Learn more at the Utah Avalanche Web site.
The Wastach-Cache also has five of the country's best commercial ski areas, including:
* Alta Ski Area
* Brighton Resort
* Snowbasin Ski Resort
* Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
* Solitude Mountain Resort
Permits, passes, fees:
Maps:
Visit the National Forest Store to see what maps are available for this Forest and others you may want to visit.
First-timer's adventure:
Try cross-country skiing at Mill Creek Canyon Ski Trail!
Mill Creek Canyon is located off 3800 South and Wasatch Boulevard east of Salt Lake City, Utah. The ski trail begins 5 miles up the canyon where the winter gate at Maple Grove Picnic Area is located. The summer road becomes the ski trail. From the gate to the top of the canyon, is about 4.5 miles long. The trail is intermediate level with some steep sections. The ski trail is groomed once a week with tracks set. Kick and glide and skating techniques are both available.
Contact Info:
Recreation Information
801-466-6411
3285 East 3300 South
(inside REI)
Salt Lake City, UT 84109
Tuesday-Saturday
10:30am-7:00pm
Administrative Offices
801-236-3400
125 South State Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84138
Forest Service website >>
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Share a specific hike, paddle, bike, or other activity in this forest.
December 27 2005 2:02 PM | Jay Vestal said…
The names may be confusing, but a great hike nevertheless can be found in the High Uinta Mountain Range an hour an a half east of Salt Lake City.
The Uinta mountains are the longest east-west running mountain range in the U.S., basically forming the southern border of Wyoming where it meets Utah. the mountains begin just east of Park City Utah and end near Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area near the Colorado border. A half-million acre High Uinta Wilderness area straddles the core of the range for serious backpackers, horse packers and fly fishermen. The highline trail, which starts from the Mirrow Lake highway, accesses this wilderness without much elevation gain-- the trail begins near 10,000 feet from a convenient parking lot near the highway.
Perhaps less well known is another area of solitude and recreation not included in the wilderness. In a hike of just under four miles, you can have your choice of pristine lakes and great camping spots. For more than 15 years since our children were toddlers, we've been taking the Crystal Lake Trailhead from the Mirrow Lake Highway and hiking to Three Divide Lakes. Even on Labor Day weekend, when the lakes along the Mirrow Lake Highway are crowded, this short hike with about 800 foot elevation gain takes you far from the crowds. Located at the base of 12,000+ foot Mt. Watson, the Three Divide Lakes offer choice camping spots and a virtual playground to explore.
The lakes get their name because they form the drainage of three rivers. The First Divide lake drains to the Duschense River and eventually to the Green and Colorado and Gulf of California. The Second Divide Lake drains into the Provo River, and eventually to Utah Lake and the Great Salt Lake. The Third Divide Lake drains to the Weber River and from there through Ogden and eventually into the Great Salt Lake.
If you can walk a few miles, you will have a wonderful opportunity to get away from the crowds, do some fishing and exploring and create some Friends of the Forest family memories for years to come.