Christmas Meadows to Ryder Lake via Stillwater Trail
~2 days · 8.5 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Christmas Meadows to Ryder Lake via Stillwater Trail is known for
An out-and-back backpack of 8.5 miles one way from the Christmas Meadows Trailhead, following the Stillwater Fork of the Bear River south through open meadows and into the spruce-fir forest of Middle Basin to Ryder Lake at the head of the drainage. Middle Basin sees far less foot traffic than neighboring Amethyst and West basins, offering genuine solitude in a high glacial valley framed by the main Uinta crest.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 28,878 ft to 34,865 ft over 8.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 7.6 mi · 91%
- Downhill 0.6 mi · 8%
- Flat 0.1 mi · 2%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Christmas Meadows to Ryder Lake via Stillwater Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Christmas Meadows to Ryder Lake via Stillwater Trail scores 17/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Christmas Meadows to Ryder Lake via Stillwater Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Christmas Meadows to Ryder Lake via Stillwater Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 8.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Christmas Meadows to Ryder Lake via Stillwater Trail?
The Christmas Meadows to Ryder Lake via Stillwater Trail climbs roughly 1,939 ft total — about 228 ft per mile, topping out near 10,646 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.