Memorial Day Weekend In The Uintas- May 2021

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......

Boulder Mountain, Dixie National Forest- May 2021

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!

Shingle Creek, Uinta Mountains- May 2021

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!

Crest Tour, Big Cottonwood Canyon- April 2021

The spring rollercoaster is in full effect here in the Wasatch. We are warm for a few days, then the NW flow kicks in again. We got a pretty nice late season storm that put down 9" to a foot of snow depending where the wind blew in the range. I decided that I would get out for a day in Big Cottonwood Canyon this time as I have not been up there all winter. All the resorts are closed except Snowbird and I decided I would head up Crest to get some exercise on the skin track and get some turns to head home.

I made my way up Big Cottonwood very early in the morning and was in the lot by 8 AM. I put on the boots, strapped in and began the skin up. The clouds and fog post storm were hangning in there preserving the quality of the snow. There were a few cars in the lot, and I saw people head up as I was getting ready, but once I started climbing it was a ghost town. The wind got a litte more fierce as I gained elevation. But it was nice to be alone in the mountains for a bit just enjoying the silence.

Near the top I ran into a old friend I used to work with at Backcountry.com. Jeff is a great guy and a legend in the backcountry. We chatted as we made the rest of the climb and went our seperate ways at the top of Crest. I was really cold, and I quickly made the switchover and put on the warm layers to get my core back up before dropping in. The ride home was realy nice and the clouds and cold temps really preserved the snow quality. It was such a sweet smooth ride and I was solo all the way back to the Jeep!

This may have been my last day out on the splitboard for the season. Backpacking is going to be in full swing in just a couple of weeks, so I feel blessed for the bonus powder Mother Nature provided. A great day in the mountains, and always a treat to be on the skins! Enjoy the pics and my YouTube video, and subscribe if you like! More adventures to come as the seasons change! Stay tuned!

Season Opener For Backpacking, Wasatch-Cache National Forest- April 2021

What a difference a week can make! Last week I went splitboarding twice, this week we have record 80 degree temps! Since I had some new gear to try out, I figured with these temps it was a good time to get out and see what I got and how it handles before taking it deep into the woods. I got a couple of new things this year. I got a new PFG Terminal Tackle Hoodie from Columbia and I was beyond impressed! Its UPF 40 and the hood is instant sun shelter. Even when you sweat you let it get sunlight for a few minutes and it is dry! Kept me cool carrying a full pack traveling up hill in heat. Why I have not used one of these years ago is beyond me! Highly recommended! The hike up to the lake was hot, temps we have not seen since last October.

Arriving at the lake there were a few people, but not near as busy as a normal Saturday as Spring Break had most people out of town. I pulled up to a spot and dropped my new Granite Gear Crown 2 60 pack. This pack is amazing! It carries better than my VC60 from the same company and I did not know that was possible. I have used my VC60 for the last 6 years and have gotten a lot of messages and comments of what pack that was. It has been bomber and so light. But I have always wanted a lid and saddle bags and my new Crown 2 60 has that! Honeslty the most comfortable carry I have ever had in a pack. I can't wait to go deep with it this summer! I put my fly rod together and did some fishing.

After about an hour of fishing, I decided to pack it up and head up by the falls to set up a camp that I found hiking up here a few weeks ago. It was a nice evening to be hiking and the temps were perfect! There were no people and it was so quiet! The contrast in colors and the evening light just made everything a treat! After a couple of miles I found my spot and got shop set up. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to be outside setting up a camp! This is unusually early for me. I usually dont start hitting the trail till May. But with a low snow year and a warm day like this I say why not! I put it all together and settled in for a very nice and mild evening here in the Wasatch!

Night came and I set my camera out for a star trail in a opening in the trees behind camp. I settled in for a small fire and just enjoyed the evening. About 30 minutes after I started my time lapse it went from crystal clear to clouds over the range. No matter I was just there to enjoy myself. It was a beautful night and I reallized how much I really missed this. Around the witching hour I put out my fire with the snow around the pit until it was all the way out and I turned in.

Morning came and I got up, had tea, and decided to pack it up and head out. The sun had not crested the ridge yet and the temps were cool. I threw on the pack and made my way out to the trailhead. The light when it first hit me from the sun cresting the ridge of the range was amazing! Everything looked like it had a glow to it. The hike down to the res was some of the best solo on trail time I have had since last summer. Coming out of the last meadow the sun was just amazing and I was able to get a vey nice shot of it as it was in full view and shooting beams of light! The light at the lake was really great and I was ablt to capture that on the way out as well. Great first trip out to shake out the cobwebs, test out some new gear, and to get out in nature! Enjoy the pics and the video below! More adventures to come!