Red Castle Lakes via East Fork Smiths Fork
~3 days · 9.8 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Red Castle Lakes via East Fork Smiths Fork is known for
An out-and-back backpack of roughly 10 miles one way from the China Meadows Trailhead into the High Uintas Wilderness, following the East Fork Smiths Fork drainage northeast through open forest and meadow to the lake basins beneath the red quartzite tower of Red Castle. Lower Red Castle Lake sits at 10,760 feet; Upper Red Castle Lake lies another 1.5 miles and 540 feet of elevation gain above. Most parties spend two nights at the lakes, making this a 3-day trip.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 31,624 ft to 37,136 ft over 9.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 0.2 mi · 3%
- Downhill 8.1 mi · 83%
- Flat 1.4 mi · 15%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Red Castle Lakes via East Fork Smiths Fork?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Red Castle Lakes via East Fork Smiths Fork scores 2/100, 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 Red Castle Lakes via East Fork Smiths Fork take?
Most backpackers hike the Red Castle Lakes via East Fork Smiths Fork in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 9.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Red Castle Lakes via East Fork Smiths Fork?
The Red Castle Lakes via East Fork Smiths Fork climbs roughly 56 ft total — about 6 ft per mile, topping out near 11,332 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.