Dowd Mountain to Hideout Marina

Overview

Dowd Mountain is a flat-top mesa that rises in the southwestern part of Flaming Gorge. A trail starts at the edge of the mesa and goes down 1650 vertical feet to reach Hideout Marina on Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The marina is not accessible by car.

Getting There

From Vernal, UT, drive roughly 35 miles north on Route 191 and turn left (west) on Route 44. Continue 13.5 miles on Route 44 until you see Dowd Mountain Overlook Road on the right (Forest Road 94). Turn onto this well graded dirt road and follow it less than 5 miles to the end of it at the rim of the canyon where you will find a parking area with good views of Flaming Gorge and the reservoir.

Map and Statistics

Trailhead Elevation: 7650 ft
Hideout Marina Elevation: 6040 ft
One Way Hiking Distance: 4.85 miles


Blue line shows my hiking path. Click on the blue line to get terrain statistics

Route Description

Some of the best views can be had from the trailhead.

Trailhead at sunrise

Trailhead

Go to the west side of the parking area and get on the trail. For the next 0.8 miles, the trail follows the edge of the plateau.

Point 7344 ft on the left

You will then reach a junction. Turn right to start your decent. Points 7497 ft and 7344 ft will be visible across the valley to the north. As you go lower, these points appear higher. The trail is mostly on a grassy slope with scattered Juniper trees.



Views of the lake as you descend.

An area of burnt trees.

Point 7344 ft	Point 7497 ft
	Point 7497 ft

Point 7497 ft from near the lake.

Point 7497 ft

Point 7497 ft

For a short distance, the trail follows the bottom of Hideout Canyon where there is a lush growth of trees.



The trail then takes you 100 vertical feet uphill, behind a hill before it takes you down to reach Hideout Marina. Views from the marina.

Point 7497 ft

Red Tape

No fees or permits are needed.

Images

View Dowd Mountain to Hideout Marina Image Gallery - 24 Images