The heat is on! With a drastic increase in temperatures the Uintas experienced a huge melt off in two weeks time, so it was time to see how things were out there. I was joined by Dustin and his friend McKell. We made a early departure from the trailhead. The ground in the shadows was muddy as we made our way up the trail. As we passed the lakes the sights were wonderful and it was quiet out there. We eventually crested out on the top of the divide and the views really opened up.
We made our way across the divide enjoying the flowers, the peace and quiet, and some really wonderful reflections of Mt Watson in the Divides. We eventually made our way down to our camp for the night.
We eventually made it to our home for the night. After getting camp built, we put together the fishing gear and got after it. McKell struck first on the spinner rod and landed several huge brookies. Me and Dustin fished our asses off and just not a thing on the fly rods. I don't think I have ever dug so deep into the fly box to only be skunked. Evening set in and we made dinner. Dustin and McKell turned in early and I stayed up to shoot the Milky Way. Then I turned in for some good sleep.
Morning came and I made coffee and breakfast then tried my hand at some more fishing. Dustin and McKell got up and eventually made their way down after coffee and breakfast to try some fishing. I think all three of us by 10:30 AM were over it. We made the decision to move to another lake. We made a quick pack and then moved through the off trail up to the divide. Then we traveresed the Divide to our home for the second night. We arrived at another lake with no people which was awesome. I have stayed here previously but this was Dustin and McKell's first time here. We all set up camp and heaaded straight for the lake to fish. I had one on with my third cast. We fished for hours. I made my way up to the porch for lunch, then back down to fish for the evening.
Evening set in and we were treated to an amazing sunset that seemed to linger forever! Night settled in and Dusitn and McKell turned in early and I stayed up to shoot some astrophotography. I shot my very first Milky Way Pano in the Uintas. I was also able to get a star trail and still get to bed by 12:30 AM! I turned in and fell into a deep sleep.
I awoke at 6:30 and got into my coffee. The morning light was awesome to see and I enjoyed myself for sure. Dustin and McKell rose and they had their coffee as well. We decided to do the rest of the loop that connected our travels in to have a different experience on the way out. Lots of really awesome things to see and the temps were about perfect. Another great adventure in the Uintas. Summer is here and its time to get after it. Make sure you watch the YouTube edit from my channel and subcribe and like! More adventures to come!
I decided to do an overnight into an area I was hoping had melted out. I made a early dearture into the Uintas and met up with my buddy Dustin. We threw on the packs and headed in. The start of this off trail jaunt was not too bad and we just had to navigate around the piles of snow. But the higher we went the more consistent the snow became. There was one post hole that I had to get on my knee to get my leg out. It was big piles of snow and deadfalls all the way up to the lake we were shooting for. After a couple of miles we arrived at the lake.
We had to cross the river to get to where we were thinking about camping. We found some boulders out of the river that we navigated and then searched for a camp. After a bit of hunting we settled on a spot that just had enough open ground to set up shop on. After getting camp settled we put the fishing gear to together and headed out to try our luck. There was a bit more snow on shore than I expected and the ice was covering about half of the lake still, but left enough shore line open to be able to cast. I took some video and some time lapse while I gave it a shot. I did get one hit on the Tenkara, but alas nothing landed. We decided to head back to camp for some lunch.
Back at camp we settled in for something to eat and the sun popped out. We decided to give fishing a go again and fished for hours. The scenery was amazing while out casting, I took another time lapse of the clouds and the light playing on the peaks. Just a beautiful day and a nice way to round out May.
Evening set in and dinner and a fire were on tap. The temps took a dip and that made us stoke the fire, I had Buffalo Mac and Snikers for desert. The alpenglow that painted the peaks at sunset was just amazing to see! Unfortunately the clouds never cleared out so no astrophotography on this trip. We had a nice night by the fire and then turned in for some much needed sleep.
Morning came and we decided with the snow crossings that were in our future to head out early. We took a gamble following the outlet of the lake and that seemed to pay off most of the way out. Only a couple of piles to cross and not even as bad as when we came in. It wa a longer route and we had to cross the river a few times to get out, but over all a beautiful walk in a new area I had not previously visited. A great weekend with good company on a Holiday Weekend that had no crowds. I haven't had one of those for a while. Enjoy the videos and time lapse, and check out my YouTube video from this trip I have posted below. More adventures to come......
Things warmed up quite a bit and it was time to take the annual trip south to kick off summer! Boulder Mountain was calling me and I had to go. I would not be going alone this time. My friend Jared, who you have read about previously would be joining me for his first trip in 20 months. I made the three hour drive south to Torrey, then we coonnected and headed up on the mountian. Our drive was pretty traffic free and we made it to the trailhead and put on the packs and headed on in. The temps were mild, but the wind was strong. This did not deter us from reaching our objective.
We made our way up to the Great Western Junction and then through the pines and the aspens till we made it to our camp spot. We had over cast skies, but no rain so we got camp situated in case we got a storm. The clouds faded away to a beautiful sunset and we settled in for a nice but cool night in camp. I was able to put out the camera for a star trail and we enjoyed a nice night by the fire!
About 5 AM the Woodpeckers were in camp rattling on the trees. It was crazy how early they were after it. Eventually the sun rose and I crawled out of my tent for some coffee and breakfast. Jared soon rose and we put it together for a off trail adventure to Mooseman Reservior. This was a beautiful hike and it is so green in this section. We arrived at the lake and there were swallows swarming the bugs in the wind. I tried my hand at some Tenkara fishing and no luck unfortunately. Just like the evening before up at Greens Lake. We spent a few hours up there, then the clouds started to build, and we moved back to camp.
After a two hour storm nap we got up and got things ready for our final night. We got a fire going then I put out the camera because we had a sequal of clear skies like the night previous. It was a great night by the fire and we thouroughly enjoyed it!
Sunday Morning came and we got up and broke camp and headed out to the vehicles so we could make goos time getting home. It was a great weekend and we could not have asked for better conditions! Enjoy the pics and time lapse. My YouTube video of the trip is linked below. More adventures to come!
After a mild winter with some late season touring on the splitboard, temps finally warmed up and started chewing out our snow pack. I got some info from a friend that the lower elevations in the Uintas had melted out so I decided to get out for a overnight scouting trip to see where the range was at as far as snow levels and how the trails were doing. I made the drive into the range and made it to the trailhead. It was crystal clear skies and rather warm temperatures. I threw on the boots and the pack and made my way in.
The trail was mostly dry, a few piles of snow here and there, but overall nothing unmanageable. As I moved up the drainage the veiws got better and better. I really missed it out here, and was so happy to be back.
After about three miles of hiking and looking around I settled on a classic spot that I love to stay at. I got camp set and pitched my new UL shelter my Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo. This is a tent that pitches with one trekking pole and 6 stakes. Once I got camp set I decided to fish the small beaver ponds behind camp with my new Tenkara Sierra Rod my buddy Devin gave me. I fished for about an hour but I did not land anything. These fish are really small and I did not have anything smaller than a mosquito in my fly box. But getting strikes and fishing was still a lot of fun.
Evening settled in and I got into my night layers and made dinner. It was quiet, with the exception of the river near by. Night came in and I witnessed for the first time the Space X satallite chain right over head which I did catch briefly in my time lapse while shooting a star trail. I had a nice fire using the lay flat or boy scout method to keep the coals in the pit to be safe. After a few hours I turned in for some much needed rest.
I woke up about 5 AM to a flat sleeping pad. I had some Tear Aid and cut a piece and that seemed to do the trick and I inflated it and climbed back in the sleeping bag for a few more hours of sleep. I got up, made coffee, had breakfast, and packed it up. I was on the trail just after 9 AM, and the hike out was just as nice as the hike in. Quiet, no people, and the range I love emerging from its winter nap. It has been since October since I have been out here and it was sure nice to back. Enjoy the pics, time lapse, and the Youtube video. More adventures to come!
