Marshall Lake, Uinta Mountains- August 2013

I had originally planned a full weekend outing for the Uintas. But the forecast for heavy thunderstorms caused a couple of my friends to back out. The forecast for Friday was calling for clear skies and warm temps. Saturday and Sunday the forecast was calling for heavy thunderstorms. As to not loose out on a trip out to the Uintas, I decided to hit Marshall Lake via the Fehr Lake trail solo. I arrived at the trail head to some really warm temps. I got my boots on and headed in. The flowers are still going here, and the trail is very lush this season. I made my way into Fehr, then pressed on to get down to Shepard Lake. There seems to be some reconstruction that has been done on this section of the trail. It was a nice walk in, and then I arrived at Shepard Lake. I made my way over the log hurdles and debris blocking the trail. I got to a draw and made my way up to the top. Once my climb was done, I was staring at Marshall Lake. It is a big one, and a great view to be had. Off to the left Hayden streaks in the skyline.

I worked my way over the scree fields to the shoreline trail that rounds the east side of the lake. I made it to the south side and found a nice place to throw up a tent for the evening. Once I got shop built, I did a little fishing. Caught a few, nice ones, but nothing epic to write home about. Still fun to be fly fishing. The sun started to set, and I got my fire going, and watched the twilight move in. The moon was up on this trip, so no clear star trails this trip. Still managed to rattle one off. I watched my fire coal out and decided that I would get some sleep. Morning came and there were some clouds building, so I got my morning fishing in, made my coffee, and then packed it up and decided to make for the car, as to not get caught in a thunderstorm climbing out of the basin. The walk out of Marshall to Shepard was very nice. Kind of just followed the game trails, it was fun. Just as I started to climb back out of Shepard, I missed a switch back, as well did two other hikers in front of me.

I eventually found the main trail, it was a bit hidden from view. I made a good pace out to Fehr, then pushed on to the car. It was fun to be out solo again. I like the company, but I also like the solitude as well. Enjoy the slideshow. Still a few more adventures to be had before this season is over.

Big Water/Little Water Loop, Millcreek Canyon, Utah- August 2013

I was taking a good look at the sky when I was heading into Millcreek Canyon on Friday. There were some dark clouds, and some really gusty winds. I decided to push on anyways. I got to the trail head, put on the pack and started the walk in. I made pretty good time up, only stopping for a few shots on the way. I wound my way up the switchbacks, hearing thunder crack off in the distance to the north, but the clouds seemed to be breaking up as I climbed my way up. I got to the junction and there was no one around. I did the last section up to the lake, and found myself with a rare treat- Dog Lake all to myself. I am guessing the thunderstorms were keeping most everyone away. I pulled up a seat and had a snack, and watched the swirling clouds roll on by. I finally decided it was time to hit the second leg of this journey, and that was to head down the Little Water Trail. This trail is shorter, but much steeper than the Big Water Trail. I like it because it is great for the quads to keep them fit for when snowboarding begins again. The views were awesome as I made my way down. The Monks Hood and Pink Indian Paintbrush were unreal! It was such a nice walk, a bit more flora than the Big Water Trail had. After a while of just wandering, I found myself back at the car. It was a nice way to spend a Friday, and nice to be hiking the Wasatch again. Enjoy the slideshow, more adventures to come!

Cutthroat Lake, Uinta Mountains- August 2013

My birthday trip is always an excellent one. Last year I solo'ed Ibantik Lake, and this year I thought, because of some scheduling problems and things happening, that I was going solo once more. I was packing the car to drive off when my friend, and fellow photographer Michael Klippert shot me a text asking if I wanted to go backpacking. I swung by and grabbed him and his rad K-9 companion Cruiser and we headed for the Uintas. After learning that Crystal Lake trail head was packed with cars, we decided to head to another spot that I love to visit- Cutthroat Lake. We arrived at the Ruth Lake trail head and got on the packs and headed in. I love this part of the Uintas, it is a photographers dream. So many great views on the way in. We made a pretty good push to Ruth Lake, then headed up to the ridge to drop down to Hayden Lake. We crossed the inlet and headed down to Jewel Lake. Once at Jewel, we wandered over a hill into a large meadow. As we entered the meadow, we saw a Bull and Cow Moose right in our path. We made our way through the trees around them and headed up to Cutthroat Lake.

We grabbed my favorite camp spot and we got shop pitched and things ready for the weekend. I fished until dusk, then got a nice fire going, and put out the camera for the night sky. I have been using cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly to get my fires going. It has worked every time! After unwinding with a nice meal and a beverage, I turned in. I awoke to the sounds of fish jumping and got up and headed down to the lake. I had a nice Tiger Trout on in just a couple of casts. I then not more than 10 casts later landed a nice Brookie. Great fishing in the AM. Mike was still sleeping, so I wrapped up the rod and crawled back in my tent for a nap. We got up about an hour later and made breakfast. We then packed it up and wandered towards Teal Lake. We arrived at Teal to the wind howling. We made a loop around the lake, but alas, no fishing, too windy. We just hung out, enjoying the time there. We eventually made our way back to Cutthroat Lake. I had just got up to where my fish was on the stringer when the fish got crazy, and took off with my stringer! I was so mad at myself for not securing it better. The one that got away, I know, but Mike can vouch for the nice Tiger, but alas no fish dinner on this trip. Dusk crawled in and the sunset was amazing!

The clouds were no where in sight, except a small patch just hung over Christmas Meadows, so it was long exposure time! 1 AM came quick, and it was time to get some sleep. Sunday was go home day, which makes you want to stay a few more days. The hike out was fun, shooting random things on the way out, and a pit stop at Ruth Lake for some fishing on the south side. A great time once again which the Uintas always offers. Enjoy the slideshow below, more adventures to come!

Cuberant Basin, Uinta Mountains- July 2013

After four years, I finally got to get out on the trail with my best friend Jared. We decided that Cuberant would be a good choice for Jared since it has been a while since he has been out on the trail. We headed in from Pass Lake Trail Head which leads to Reids Meadow. The temps were extra warm, so we were feeling the heat. We made a quick push for the junction, and then headed for the pass. It was not long after the pass that we found ourselves at Cuberant #3. We set up shop and got our fishing on. I landed a Cutty in Cuberant #3. This was odd, because this lake holds Brook Trout. I have never seen a Cutthroat in this lake. After hours of fishing, dusk started to set in and we settled in for some dinner and a nice fire. There was a full moon this weekend, so star trails were just not going to be an option. But I did still manage to get some fun night shots. The temps were unusually warm for the Uintas.

I had to shed layers in my sleeping bag because I was broiling with how warm it was over night. We awoke to the sounds of a Wood Pecker tapping out a tree. We made coffee, then made plans to tour the basin that day. We got it together and headed up to Cuberant #2. I landed a couple of small, but very fun Cutty's. After a bit, it was up to Cuberant #1. We fished there for a while, but it is a hard lake to use a fly rod at, as there is not a lot of back casting room at this lake. When we got tired of being at #1, we headed up to Cuberant #4. It was fairly windy up there, and it made casting rather difficult for me, but Jared was in good with his spinner rod. We decided to make the loop through Moose Tracks pond and Spooky pond to get back to our lake. This was an awesome adventure, lots of bushwhacking, and we ended up on top of the cliffs that were above Cuberant #3. The view was fantastic up there. We settled in to Cuberant #3 for the rest of the evening, and I landed us a nice Brookie for dinner.

Twilight set in for our final night, and this night was a bit colder than the previous. We had a nice fire and just enjoyed the wilderness at night. After some much needed rest, we woke up to some coffee and breakfast, and then we broke camp. We then headed out, making a swift push for the pass. Once over the pass, we made haste for the cold ones we had waiting for us at the car. It was a nice hike out, great day to be in the Uintas. This was a great weekend, being out with my best friend, and just enjoying the wilderness. Enjoy the slide show, we have now passed the half way mark of summer. More adventures to come!

Catherine Pass, Little Cottonwood Canyon- July 2013

After getting skunked out last Saturday by a huge thunderstorm, I headed back to Catherine Pass. This is one of my all time favorite hikes, so I make it a point to visit this one a few times a year. As it would be we have the monsoon flow going, so after noon thunderstorms are a reality. I hit this up early and pushed pretty hard to the pass. I did stop for a few photos, but it was a steady drizzle till I got to the meadow. Then it just kind of let up and broke up. Still cloudy, but not raining anymore. With bits and pieces of blue popping here and there. I made my way up to the pass and realized, I am alone up here. This rarely happens, this is a pretty popular and busy trail. I watched as the clouds grew darker and started to build, so after some camera fun and a bit to take in the view, I decided to make my way down and take some flower photos along the way. What an awesome hike both up and down. I even got to see the elusive "White Paintbrush." I have seen them before, but they are very rare, as Indian Paintbrush typically is orange, red, purple or in rare cases bright green. I took a quick stop at a rock field, and saw a Marmot. I love seeing those, it gives you a sense of how the ecosystem is doing. Good signs! I made it to the car, and the storms just started breaking up. Great way to spend a Friday! Enjoy the slideshow from this hike, and more to come!

Camp @ Ibantik in the August 2013 Backpacker Magazine

This is a huge honor having one of my images in Backpacker Magazine. I have been reading this magazine for years, and when they chose my Camp @ Ibantik shot for the article on Ibantik Lake for the August issue, I have to say I was pretty stoked! This was from a solo adventure up there for my birthday last year. I would have never imagined my image would get published. I am grateful that I get to shoot such beautiful places, and share my images with everyone. Pick up the new issue of Backpacker, it has some great articles this month.

Brighton Lakes Trail, Big Cottonwood Canyon- July 2013

It has been a few years since I have done a hike to Lake Catherine from the Big Cottonwood side of the range. I had a unusual Wednesday off, so I figured with the valley a boiling pot of hot stagnant air, what a better day than to head up to the mountains. I started at Brighton, and began the climb. This is not a hard trail, it is just a lot of wandering. I made my way past the ski lifts and up through the meadow, and then to the junction that takes you up to Dog Lake and Lake Mary. The foliage has grown so thick in here, I almost did not recognize Dog Lake with how thick the flowers were up there. After a quick visit to Dog Lake, I made my way up to Lake Mary. I only stayed a few minutes to snap a few shots and take in the view. Then it was up to Lake Martha. There was a Bull Moose eating the new plants on the shore, and I only stopped for a minute to check him out and snap a shot. Up the switchbacks I climbed, until I got to a nice overlook of Clayton Peak. After a bit, I found myself strolling up to Lake Catherine. I got there and the fish were jumping, so out came the fly rod. In minutes I had one on, and the party began. I fished for a few hours, all around the lake. My luck was good, and I feel pretty strong now with the fly rod. After catching my fill, I soaked in the view for a bit, then it was time to take an evening stroll back down the way I came. The temperatures were perfect, and the evening light was making all the flowers just pop! I miss just wandering the Wasatch. This reminded me of how great a place we live. We are lucky to have these mountains, and the treasures they always share when you visit them. Enjoy the slide show, more adventures to come.