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High Uintas East

Last Updated: Feb 8, 2024
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Quick Tips

  • Steady number of mountain goats that can be viewed in the high elevation peaks
  • Good Trail system
  • Good trout fishing on the different lakes located on this unit
  • Be bear aware

On The Ground

Located north of Vernal and Roosevelt, Utah, this unit contains mostly public land with the majority of mountain goat habitat in the High Uintahs Wilderness Area.

Goat numbers have been steady in recent years. This is a rugged, remote wilderness hunt and is not for the faint of heart.

Terrain

The majority of the High Uinta East unit is wilderness. There is very limited road access to mountain goat habitat. There are deep canyons that run north to south and most of the canyons have small creeks that run the length of the canyon. Some of the canyons on this unit can be very deep and hunters need to be ready for steep elevation drops. A lot of the canyons have a maintained hiking or horseback trail that runs up the bottom of the canyon giving hunters access to the high elevations.

Some of the peaks and mountains in this area are located 12,000 feet above sea level or higher. For the most part mountain goats will be found above tree line in steep cliffy areas. Goats are well distributed in cliffy habitat throughout the unit with goats being found in most of the drainages. The unit borders the Uinta and Ouray Indian Reservation in the south.

  • Roughly 497 square miles

  • 100% public land

  • Elevations from about 5,950-13,220 feet

The high elevations contain dense Engelmann spruce that mingle with Ponderosa pines and fir trees. This unit has alpine tundra found at the high elevations areas and particularly around the high peaks. Middle elevations have Douglas fir, aspens, Manzanita, grass meadows and sagebrush while low elevations have pinyon/juniper, sagebrush, oak brush, grasses and other browse. Water is spread throughout the unit with springs, small lakes and perennial streams.

There is little road access on this unit and hunters will need to use the USFS trail system to access mountain goat country. Some hunters will backpack into the unit and others will use animals. A few of the trailheads that mountain goat hunters have used in the past are the Henry’s Fork trailhead, Hoop Lake trailhead, and the Uinta Canyon trailhead. There are a few roads that hunters can use to access mountain goats. The Elk Horn Loop road seems to be the most popular among hunters. The accessibility of roads can change suddenly within the unit due to the weather so huntes should be prepared.

  • Very little vehicle access

  • Snow and rain can impede travel in some areas

  • Lots of remote areas to hunt

Vernal and Roosevelt have lodging, gas, groceries, and other supplies. Camping is permitted on most public land. Within the Wilderness Area, there are different regulations regarding camping.

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