Short hike ascends to a tall Uinta peak

Want to get high in Utah and truly experience "life elevated," without killing yourself on a long grueling hike?

Do you choose: (A) Mount Timpanogos, 11,749 foot summit requiring a 14 mile hike up 4,389 feet? Or (B) Mount Nebo, 11,928-foot summit, accessible by an 11 mile hike and 5,408-foot climb; or (C) Kings Peak, Utah's tallest at 13,528 feet above sea level via a 30-mile and 4,128-foot climb; or (D) Bald Mountain, an 11,943-foot summit by a four-mile hike and 1,250-foot elevation gain?

"D" is the correct choice as Bald Mountain in the High Uintas, might just be the easiest rarefied air hike in the Beehive State.

Located just north of the summit of the Mirror Lake scenic drive (Highway 150), about 30 miles east of Kamas, mammoth peak is nearly devoid of trees or vegetation and this offers 360-degree, unhindered panoramic views.

Now be aware that "easy" in such high elevations is still no walk in the park, as there is approximately 65 percent as much oxygen in the High Uintas, as at sea level.

There are a lot of rocks, slabs and boulders to navigate through and over here too.

And, some east-side cliffs and jagged rocks do mean young children need careful supervision here.

But, all-in-all, who can resist the jump start of beginning a hike at a lofty elevation of 10,700 feet that ends up almost 200 feet higher than Timp?

Most motorists probably speed over the Bald Mountain summit — Utah's highest paved road — without stopping - on the way to Mirror Lake. (Bald Mountain is the prominent domed mountain looking west across Mirror Lake.)

This classic Bald Mountain hike is the least effort way to experience the backbone of the High Uintas in a one to three-hour roundtrip hike, depending on ability.

Prime time for hiking Bald Mountain is the month of August and even into September, depending on weather. A solid snowpatch blocks an 80-foot section of the early portion of the trail into early August most years, including this year. This obstacle requires a careful little detour over loose rocks.

A hiking stick or pole is a great asset on this hike with that, and all the rocky obstacles.

Lightning is also a definite danger on the bare peak, and hiking here is not advisable in stormy weather. Hikers would make prime targets for lightning because of the altitude and absence of trees.

There are good vistas available at about one-third and two-thirds of the way up this trail and so even those who can't make the actual summit can enjoy a worthwhile view, rivaling what you might get from inside an airplane over the area.

The last few dozen feet of the hike is up a rock staircase. It is almost always windy at the top of the peak, so hikers should be prepared for cool weather conditions.