Shingle Creek, Uinta Mountains- June 2019

After one hell of a winter, and a very cool and wet spring, I was finally, after eight months able to get out backpacking once more! Our mountains here in Utah received anywhere from 600" to 700" of snow this past winter. Leaving most of the high terrain buried far past when they usually melt out. The high terrain is still melting off, and it looks like the earliest we will be able to access that without winter gear is July. But that is not the only place to go in the Uintas to get some solitude. I have wanted to visit this area for a while, but there is so much terrain in the Uintas that it just has not been on my priority list. But with the season we had this winter, it was a good choice for this adventure. Bonus, I was able to get out with my best friend Jared who just 90 days ago had a TBI from a work accident. He has come so far, and this was his first trip out since the accident. I am grateful to be able to spend some time in the woods with him. We have a long history of adventures from Alaska to Utah.

We arrived at the trail head with only a couple of cars in the lot and put together our packs and headed in. The temps were cool thanks to a dry cold front that had moved over the state the previous day. The hike starts up a short but steep section then winds its way down to the river. This is where the first bridge is. The river was raging and you could literally feel the bridge move from the force of the water as you crossed it. Then the trail heads into the drainage. It passed some really nice meadows, then parallels the river as you climb. Parts of the river had flooded its banks but the trail was dry. Everyone was telling me that there was going to be deep snow but I did not see any on the way in on the trail. A few piles in the trees but nothing to navigate through. As we continued our hike, we passed many beaver ponds and the views just continued to get better as we continued up the trail. We stopped quite a few times to take some photos as we were just loving this area as we were hiking. There were a couple of water crossings further up the trail that were a bit sketchy, but we navigated them without incident.

Eventually, after about three miles, we found a incredible spot that was just too good not to pass up to camp. I did not want to push Jared too hard seeing as he was just coming back from a pretty rough injury. So we decided on this camp I call Three Beaver Ponds. We dropped the packs and set up camp. After camp was set we put together our firewood for the night and settled in just enjoying the views, shooting photos, and letting it all go which is why I do this in the first place! We had an amazing evening in camp and we watched as the sun set behind the ridge and we got ready for the darkness to fall.

It was a great evening, a bit chilly but nothing a good fire and some dry layers would not make more comfortable. I decided to get some photography and figure out where I was going to shoot once pitch set in. Around 9 PM the temps started to drop and we bundled up and got the fire going after dinner. I put out my camera for a star trail and settled in next to the fire. We spent time catching up and talking about future trips we would like to take this summer once the snow finally melts out. It was a great time with such a good friend. After my star trail finished I nabbed a quick Milky Way shot that I am really happy with. My new D810 is so much fun to shoot with! A great evening in the mountains!

Falling asleep to the river raging was wonderful. I slept really well. The temps dipped into the upper 20's overnight but I was toasty warm in my sleeping bag. Morning came and I got up, made coffee and breakfast and decided to pack it up and head out. We took our time then hit the trail about noon. The hike out was warmer than the previous day and the flowers were starting to bloom in all the meadows. It was such a nice hike and we were taking our time just checking everything out and enjoying the sound of the mountains. Eventually we found ourselves at the Jeep and that is where our adventure came to a close. It was so nice to be back in the Uintas! I missed it so much! A few more weeks and the upper terrain should start to open up. Until then more adventures are on the list in the next couple of weeks. Enjoy the pics and videos! Glad to be back! More adventures to come! Cheers!

Moab Camping Trip- May 2019

Well that time has come! Switching gears from the skin track to the dirt trails. I was having the urge to get in a desert trip before I started backpacking this season. I made my way down to Moab on Friday for some camping, hiking, and some photography on my new Nikon D810. The drive down was virtually traffic free and I made it to Moab in 3 hours and some change. I had been browsing Google Earth for a good dispersed camp spot, and I picked a location and headed there. Not only did I find a nice spot away from the loud RV campers, but it had views and was a full on desert set up. I got camp set, then headed into Moab for some firewood and a couple of things I wanted for the weekend. I came back to camp and settled in for the night. I grilled up some steak and corn for dinner, then changed into the night gear and pulled up my chair by the fire. There were clouds obscuring the stars to the north, so no star trails this night. But I was able to get a nice time lapse while I enjoyed my fire in the desert. After a good night with some music and beverages by the fire, it was time to turn in.

I awoke on Saturday to clear skies and a Hot Air Ballon floating over the valley. I made coffee, ate breakfast, then geared up to head out to do some exporing and some hiking. I made my way up to Canyonlands National Park, but there was literally a mile long line of cars to get in there, so I turned around and left. I decided I would just go for a hike, and that Corona Arch would be a fun destination. With all the rain we have had, the desert is in full bloom this year! The trail in was like a wildflower festival. It was pretty warm, I would say in the low 80's on the way in. Once at the Arch I took some time to sit in the shade which had a cool breeze that was like air conditioning. After a while I decided to head out and go into town to fill up my water and get a bit more firewood for my last night. On the way back to camp I drove up Hwy 128 to Fisher Towers, but there was a thunderstorm rolling in from the south that took all the good light away, so I turned around and headed back to camp.

Upon arriving back at camp, I put on some more charcoal and did a pork chop and some potatoes for dinner. After enjoying that feast it was time to get camp ready for the night. There was a thunderstorm south of the area that was sending clouds overhead so the waiting game was on for clear skies. I got those at about 11:30 PM. I set out the camera for a star trail and sat and enjoyed my fire. It was a bit colder this night, so I had to bundle up in my insulated jacket for the late night shoot. Once I was finished with my star trail it was time to shoot the Milky Way. I found this tree all alone in this area and it became my subject for this photo. This is my first time out with my Nikon D810 shooting at night. So there were a lot of experiments shot and I was up till nearly 1:45 AM before turning in. I slept well and got up and 8 AM. I got up, packed camp, and hit the road just after 9 AM. I made the drive home in just over 3 hours. It was a great weekend down there. New camp spot, hiking, camping, night photography, and wildflowers. Very nice way to kick off summer getting my desert fix. Enjoy the pics and videos. More adventures to come!

Bells Canyon Loop- Wilderness Boundary, Wasatch Range- April 2019

The seasons have changed here in the Wasatch. Spring has sprung and that gets me itching to get out on walkabout. I've been spending most of my weekends lately working on my garden. Its been like an extra job the last few weeks. I finally got a Sunday free where I could get out and decided to make a 4 mile loop hike and starting building up the summer muscle group. I went up Bells Canyon and looped the lake, then went up into the basin. I have a creek trail I follow that is off the beaten path, and I rarely see anyone on this section. Things are greening up and the runoff from out massive snowpack is starting to go. The walk was pleasant, and temps were cool. The trees are all budding leaves, and the wildflowers have sprouted and are growing. The next few weeks up there will be really nice!

On my way up I ran into what I can only say must be a wild turkey on the trail. I tried to get close with my phone to take its mug shot, but it in traditional fashion it showed me its backside and gave me some shade. Still cool to see a bird I have never seen up there in all the years I have been hiking in this drainage. I continued my hike till I was next to the creek, and I stopped to shoot a time lapse of the water running in the creek. I made it up to the bridge and realized I was short on time. So I decided to ascend to the wilderness boundary and then turn around to complete the loop on the way out. The walk out was nice, really quiet with no one on the trail. I made it a nice walk out just taking in the beauty of this place. These are the days of ramping up to backpacking. The Wasatch is a great place to keep your endurance up until you are off to see the wilderness. Enjoy the pics and time lapse! Some cool stuff coming up for this weekend. I'll report back when I return! Happy Trails!

Bells Canyon, Wasatch National Forest- April 2019

First day hiking for the 2019 season up Bells Canyon here in the Wasatch! I put in 3 miles up there today looping all the way to the upper bridge. This was also my first day out with my new Nikon D810. Still some things to tweak in the settings, but the first two photos here turned out pretty sweet! 14 MM is wide angle! As you can see the upper elevations are still buried from winter. Lower Bells is already almost full and all that snow still has to come down yet! Yikes! The last shot which was taken on my phone is of a wildflower that was blooming everywhere up there. Astragalus preussii or as it is commonly known as Preuss' milkvetch is the name. Beautiful little flower which added color to a landscape just coming back to life. Great day in the sun just stretching the legs. Beautiful day in the Wasatch!

Grizzly Gulch, Little Cottonwood Canyon- March 29th, 2019

Its officially spring here in Utah, but you wouldn't know that by the way things have been shaping up here in the Wasatch. Another over performing storm dumped nearly 20" for the storm total up Little Cottonwood Canyon! I took Friday off to get out on the splitboard for some time on the skin track and to get some late March powder. The powder panic was on in Little Cottonwood Canyon as the traffic on HWY 210 was packed to say the least. Once in the mouth of the canyon the traffic moved pretty quick. I arrived at the trail head to it just nuking snow and the winds were howling! I put on the boots, pack, and strapped in and started my climb. The snow was creamy and really nice to climb in and no slipping on the skin track.

As I made my way up I was watching the wind load some slopes that I was going nowhere near on this tour. I made it to the first meadow and the blizzard conditions I was in turned to nearly whiteout conditions and I pulled up in some trees for a minute. It mellowed out and I continued my climb on the gulch. Once I made it to the main meadow I realized I was going to have to break trail all the way up my line. This was a lot of work, but also allowed me to test the stability in the snow pack. There were some slopes that were getting loaded in the wind, and they were cracking and collapsing from the ski cuts I was putting in them on the splitboard. But nothing that threw out the alarm. It was a really fun climb up my line, and challenging as I was taking my time to evaluate the new snow. Eventually I topped out. The wind was blowing hard and the snow continued to accumulate.

Grizzly Gulch Trip Report 3.29.19 from CPPhoto on Vimeo.

Once I settled in at the top of my line I hurried up and changed into my insulated jacked and a dry beanie to get warm. The sun did some peek a boo action for about 5 minutes, and then the storm came rolling back in. I made the switchover and hung out for a bit just watching the clouds come in and start snowing really hard! I like to enjoy the spot I top out in because it is a lot of work to get there, and I love being in the mountains. Time was passing and I was really excited to make some turns so I geared up, strapped in, and made the drop. Ridiculously deep powder turns from top to bottom. One of the deepest days I have had splitboarding this season!

Grizzly Gulch 3.29.19 from CPPhoto on Vimeo.

The snow had a density inversion right at the top from the wind, but once you hit the apron the snow was that classic Utah blower powder! Such a fun ride all the way to the Jeep! Such an amazing day to be out in the mountains climbing on the skin track and getting some late March powder! We are moving to the tail end of the season here in Utah. April usually has a few days as we generally get some late season snow during the month. So I imagine I will get a couple of more days out there to slash it up before I switch it up from the skin track to the dirt track. Enjoy the videos and pics from my tour. The last picture I'll share is of this amazing tree that caught my eye on the way up my line today! What a beautiful tree! Amazing survivor in this environment! It's been a great year on the snow! More adventures to come!

Grizzly Gulch, Little Cottonwood Canyon- March 2019

I was able to get out on on the splitboard for Thursday of this week, which just happened to be PI Day. 3.14 for folks who love math. Little Cottonwood Canyon received 34" in 48 hours! They are over 500" of the season in that canyon and some spots are sitting on a 170" base! Unbelievable snowfall we have had this year! It was my day off so I packed it all in the Jeep and headed up. A little traffic in the canyon, with all this snow I wasn't surprised, but it only probably added 10 minutes to my drive up there. Found a spot right by the winter gate. Put on the boots, and headed up there road. When I got to the groomer for the summer road, the signs still said closed. I had to back track and take another route in there. It was a longer walk, but there was no one out and I knew that I was in no hurry. That is the beauty of splitboarding, you can take your time walking into an area. Gives you pause to observe, listen, and learn. I broke trail most of the way to the first meadow where the normal trail meets in a meadow. A quick up into the main meadow in Grizzly, then I looked up at my line. I realized I was going to be breaking trail all the way to the spot I was looking at stopping at. It gave me a good feel for the snow on the way up, a few hand pits, some slope angle measurements, and some slope testing. Nothing set off the alarm for me. All signs were good, and my angles were between 15 degrees and 25 degrees.

Grizzly Gulch 3.14.2019 Report from CPPhoto on Vimeo.

It set a nice track in there, and eventually topped out to where I was going to make the drop. Its probably one of my favorite places in the Wasatch to make the switchover from tour mode to ride mode. It is this little cubby hole of trees with a ridge to keep you out of the wind, but a nice view down canyon and a safe line to ride. Took a bit of time up there just soaking it all in. Eventually I put on the helmet and gloves and made the drop. Deep would be an understatement on the ride out! This was by far the deepest day of the entire season! Knee to thigh deep was the average off track and on the way out the shallowest it got was boot deep. The first set of tracks I put in that hill were the best all year! Such a fun ride out to the base. All I could think when I arrived at my Jeep was "More Please!" I'll take that any day of the week! This has been an incredible season. Redemption for last years worst winter on record. Looks like we have full on spring temps and a dry spell on tap for at least the next 5 days until any storm is in the forecast. Time to get the garden ready and to send some more prayers to Ullr for this mega spring cycle to continue! Enjoy the pics, videos from up top, and the ride home! More adventures to come!

Grizzly Gulch 3.14.2019 from CPPhoto on Vimeo.