Mirror Lake Highway to Bald Mountain Pass
Expert granite crawling at 10,000+ feet
The Mirror Lake Highway cuts through Wyoming’s slice of the Uinta Mountains, climbing to 10,687 feet at Bald Mountain Pass — one of the highest paved roads in America before you turn onto the dirt. Past the pavement’s end, this route becomes a technical rock crawl through ancient quartzite formations, with mandatory tire placement over house-sized boulders and exposed ridgeline driving where a wrong move means a thousand-foot tumble. The trail connects a chain of alpine lakes including Crystal Lake and Ruth Lake, each requiring careful navigation around boggy meadows that’ll swallow a careless rig.
This is expert-level terrain that demands lockers, skid plates, and someone who knows how to read rock. Summer-only access from July through September, with afternoon thunderstorms that turn rock faces into waterfalls within minutes. No permits required, but fuel up in Kamas — it’s 50+ miles of technical driving with no services. What you get is legitimate high-country solitude and some of the most challenging granite obstacles in the Rockies, plus world-class trout fishing if you pack a rod.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10687 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Kamas, Utah |
| Land manager | Ashley National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock lifted 4Runner or Jeep run this trail, or do I actually need lockers?
Lockers are not optional here — the granite rock gardens at altitude will stop an open-diff rig cold. Minimum is a modified 4WD with at least a rear locker, skid plates, and high clearance. A stock lifted rig will get you stuck and potentially damaged.
When does Bald Mountain Pass actually open after winter, and is July reliable?
Early July is the realistic opening window, but snowpack in the Uintas can push that to late July in heavy winters. Check with Ashley National Forest before you go — this trail sits above 10,000 feet and snow can linger or return fast even in August.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp in Ashley National Forest?
No permit is required for the trail itself or dispersed camping in Ashley National Forest. Standard rules apply — camp 200 feet from water, pack out your trash, and follow any fire restrictions posted at the trailhead, which can change seasonally.
What's the hardest section and what am I actually dealing with?
The upper granite rock gardens near Bald Mountain Pass are the crux — large, angular granite slabs with little to no soil, off-camber moves, and exposure on the edges. Approach angles matter here, line choice is everything, and a spotter is worth their weight. One wrong move and you're on your rocker panels with no easy recovery option.
There's zero cell service — how far is the nearest gas and should I carry extra fuel for the full 28 miles?
Kamas, Utah is your last fuel stop before the trail, roughly 30 miles from the Mirror Lake Highway starting point. The trail itself is 28 miles of slow, technical crawling that burns fuel hard — carry at minimum 5 extra gallons. There is no bailout for fuel once you're in.
Trail track
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