Bald Mountain Pass to Mirror Lake
Utah's highest road to pristine alpine lakes
Bald Mountain Pass sits at 10,678 feet—the highest paved road in Utah—but that’s just your starting point. From the pass, rough 4WD tracks spider into the High Uintas Wilderness, accessing dozens of alpine lakes trapped in glacial cirques. The main route follows an old mining road to Mirror Lake, then continues on increasingly technical tracks to Ibantik Lake and beyond. These mountains hold Utah’s only glacial terrain, carved by ice sheets that left behind granite domes, U-shaped valleys, and over 1,000 alpine lakes above treeline.
This is serious high-altitude 4WD requiring stock clearance minimum, but lockers help on the steeper rocky sections approaching the lakes. The road closes October through June due to snow—sometimes not fully clear until July 4th. No permits needed for day trips, but overnight requires wilderness permits from the Forest Service. Bring layers and emergency gear; weather can turn deadly fast above 10,000 feet. The payoff is fishing pristine alpine lakes where native cutthroat trout have never seen a road.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11200 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Evanston, Wyoming |
| 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 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail without modifications?
Yes, a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle is the minimum and will get through. The rocky surface is the main challenge — aired-down tires help, but no lockers or lift required for the moderate sections.
When does the trail actually open, and can snow linger past July?
July through September is the reliable window. At 11,200 feet, snow can block the route well into June and return by October — check with Ashley National Forest before heading up early or late season.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp here?
No permit is required to drive the trail. Dispersed camping is allowed within Ashley National Forest guidelines — no fee, but follow Leave No Trace and check current fire restrictions before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be ready for?
The rocky 4WD tracks branching off the paved Bald Mountain Pass road are where it gets real — loose rock, uneven terrain, and limited bailout options. Nothing technically extreme, but a moment of inattention on the shelf sections can cause damage.
Is there any water available on trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Water crossings exist on the route but treat everything before drinking — no potable water sources out here. Evanston, Wyoming is your last reliable fuel stop, roughly 35-40 miles from the start, so top off before you leave town.
Trail track
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