Naturalist Basin via Highline Trail
~2 days · 7 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Naturalist Basin via Highline Trail is known for
An out-and-back of roughly 6.5-7 miles one way: the first four miles roll east along the Uinta Highline Trail from the Highline Trailhead at Hayden Pass, then the Naturalist Basin Trail climbs north to Jordan Lake at the head of the basin beneath Mount Agassiz. One of the most popular basins in the western Uintas, with basecamp day trips to the upper bench lakes such as Blue and Shaler.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 32,638 ft to 35,843 ft over 7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 3.7 mi · 53%
- Downhill 2.5 mi · 36%
- Flat 0.8 mi · 11%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Naturalist Basin via Highline Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Naturalist Basin via Highline Trail scores 13/100, 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 Naturalist Basin via Highline Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Naturalist Basin via Highline Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 7 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Naturalist Basin via Highline Trail?
The Naturalist Basin via Highline Trail climbs roughly 1,220 ft total — about 174 ft per mile, topping out near 10,925 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.