First backpacking trip of the year! The Uintas are open for business! We decided to do the season opener in a spot we have not previously started the year out in. We decided on the Clyde Lake Loop and do an overnighter at Booker Lake. We made our way into the Uintas and the snow, what little is left, is going fast. After arriving at the trail head, we put on the packs and made our way in.
The trail was snow free all the way to Cliff Lake. We took a short break there and then moved on. There were big piles of snow in the trees and shady sections. Fortunate for us they were frozen solid so you could walk right over them. We made our way up the trail, if you could call it that. We then came to Watson Lake. We could see backcountry skiers on top of Mt Watson, and the going to this point had been pretty easy. Once we moved above Watson Lake, the snow became fields, and the temps were warm. The snow was punchy and soft, and down right scary at times when you would have one leg post hole not knowing if the next step the other would go. We picked our way down to Clyde Lake, then traversed a snow field above the lake that if you fell, you were going right into the lake. We made it past there and walked up to Booker Lake.
We found one of the only spots with enough real estate to set up camp in, which happened to be a very nice spot. It was the maiden voyage for my Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL 2 tent. 1 lb 15 oz and lots more room than my previous solo tent that I have been using for years. Once we got camp set up we all just kind of lounged around listening to symphony of silence that wilderness provides. I sat out on the shore of Clyde Lake for a while just lounging in my chair soaking in the view. Evening came and it was time for dinner. As the sun set the temps dropped quite a bit, especially since we were surrounded by snow drifts. We got a nice fire going and I set up the camera for a star trail and we had a nice night by the fire. Eventually I turned in, and got to try out my new shelter.
Morning came with clear skies and cool temps. I slept in a bit as I was just too comfy to get out of my sleeping bag. The sun rose and I got up to make coffee and breakfast. We lounged around camp and did some fly fishing till late afternoon. We then packed it up and made our way to finish off the second and final leg of the loop. We walked the west shore of Clyde Lake and made our way up to Twin Lakes. I loved this area, gonna go back for sure. We then stopped on a high point and took some pictures. We then proceeded to the junction with Notch Mountain Pass, and made our way down to Hope Lake. The frogs singing greeted us upon walking up to the lake. We then made our way down the rest of the trail to Wall Lake over huge drifts of snow in the trees. This was the hardest part of the hike because they were not frozen on this day. We made it through and walked out to Wall Lake. It was completely ice free and looked like summer. You could not have been able to tell by the forest you had to walk through to get to it. We finished the last leg and found ourselves at the car feeling fulfilled and wishing we had another night. The adventures begin! The dirt party has started! I am glad to be back at my home away from home! Enjoy the pics, more adventures to come!
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