Quick Tips
- Excellent fishing for pan-size trout
- Hundreds of clear lakes and dozens of streams
On The Ground
This unit is located in the northeast corner of Utah, bordering Wyoming. This unit is very remote and can have extreme weather conditions so hunters should be prepared.
In the spring, the bear’s diet generally consists of grass, and forbs, and they will be relatively close to water sources. Most bear movement will take place during the early morning and evening hours. Their movement will continue to increase as hunts progress. The black bears’ mating season will reach its peak around the month of June. Expect bears to be covering ground and looking for opportunistic meals. Their diet will transition from grasses to more substantial foods such as acorns, pine nuts, and berries.
Terrain
This unit is the North Slope of the High Uintas, the highest mountain range in Utah and the biggest East-West range in the Lower 48. Some peaks are more than 12,000 feet above sea level, and there are a few peaks over 13,000 feet. Some trailheads are more than 10,000 feet high. Timberline is at about 11,000 feet in most areas. Foothills trail off into Wyoming and oversee sagebrush flats that are at elevations of 7,000-7,500 feet.
Vegetation
Low elevations have sage and grassy flats, with hay meadows, a few private alfalfa fields and some willow and cottonwood-lined creeks. Middle elevations consist mainly of sage and grassy ridges with pines, firs, aspens and spruces on north slopes. South slopes are covered with aspens, bitterbrush, serviceberry and junipers. High elevations, above 11,000 feet, have alpine meadows and slopes, short spruce and other low bushes. From 10,000-11,000 feet, are heavy timbers of conifer with scattered meadows and creeks that sometimes spread a quarter mile wide with willows and swampy muskeg.
Access
Most of the area is designated wilderness, so you must walk or ride horses. Maintained trails lead south through every major drainage, on major ridges, and to most high peaks. Popular access roads include Highway 150 south of Evanston, SR 246 south of Mtn. View, and the Spirit Lake access road west of McKinnon, Wyoming. Snow and muddy roads may limit access to some areas in the unit.
To drive on the Mirror Lake Highway, you must buy an access stamp
ATVs are not necessary, pickups can access most public roads
Carry a GPS with extra batteries and a compass
Some peaks require 40-mile round-trip hikes
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp in unimproved campgrounds or along dirt roads. Backpack hunters usually camp near streams or lakes. Motels are located in Manila and Evanston, Wyoming; both towns are a good distance from most bear areas.
Be familiar with camping regulations in designated wilderness areas
Bear River Lodge offers cabin and lodge accommodations in the west
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