Leidy Peak photo by Tim Avery

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Description:
Leidy Peak is a 12,028' flat topped mountain near the east end of the Uintah Mountain Range, north of Vernal, Utah.  The 2.5 mile trail to the peak starts just at the edge of the tree line and continues across open meadows (tundra) with stunted conifers and other deciduous bushes, to talus slopes before ending up on the peak.  Below the peak is Hacking Lake and high elevation coniferous forest.  The south and east slopes of the peak are in Uinta County, while the west and north slopes are in Daggett County.

Birding:
One of the most reliable locations for WHITE-TAILED PTARMIGAN in Utah--it also happens to be an epic birding location, not to be overlooked for the wide variety of species that can be seen in the vicinity.  Aside from the talus slopes where ptarmigan, AMERICAN PIPITS, and BLACK ROSY-FINCHES forage, the forests below leading all the way back to Vernal provide habitat for nearly 100 species of birds.  The high elevation conifer boasts Northern Goshawks, Three-toed Woodpeckers, crossbills, finches, sparrows, warblers, Gray Jay, and Pine Grosbeaks.  Through each habitat zone leading down to Vernal you can find more and more--in the mid-elevation conifer, mixed conifer and aspen, aspen, and finally shrubsteppe. A couple days here can provide you with some excellent birding, and camping away from crowds of people.  Hacking Lake is a good spot to camp, is is just about anywhere off the road.  It gets chilly here at night and the weather can be unpredictable.  Snow in mid August, temperatures routinely in the low 30’s at night in the summer--lightning storms that are mighty impressive--and rain and wind for hours sometimes.  But it makes for an adventure!  The birding is best in late summer into the fall--until snow sets in and that’s it for the year!

Directions:
Head north on 2500 West for 7 miles. Take a slight right onto Taylor Mountain Road for 3.7 miles. Continue onto FR044 for 8.3 miles before turning left onto FR018 and going 3.5 miles. Take the Slight left to stay on FR018 for another 2.5 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 043/FR018 and continue to follow the road for 3.7 miles. Take the slight left to stay on Forest Road 043 for another 4.5 miles. You will pass a turnoff to HAcking Lake here on your left, but can continue up the road another mile to where it dead ends at the wilderness area.