Allsop Lake, High Uintas Wilderness- August 2018

Summer is coming to a close and fall is on our door step. Evening temps are cooler and the days are growing shorter. With this in mind, I wanted to keep the theme going this year to visit new places while backpacking. I decided to head into the mountains to visit Allsop Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness. This one has been on the bucket list for years. I was fortunate that my good friend Mike was able to get out and join me for the weekend. We made our way to the trailhead and put on that packs and headed in. The hike started on some boardwalks which protect the meadow this trail begins to traverse. Once you descend to the meadow the trail is easy going. Along the way we passed old cabin remnants from the Tie Hacker days durning the construction of the Trans Continental Railroad. Quite a bit of history on this trail. As we continued on, the trail sticks close to the river and passes some huge meadows. After a bit you reach the wilderness boundary sign. From here the trail wraps into a basin and you end up at the Allsop/Priord junction at about four miles. This is where you begin to climb. A series of short switchbacks put you up to an overlook which was spectacular. The waterfall cascading down the mountain side was a treat to see. As well LaMotte Peak can be seen up the Priord drainage. I would not take a fall here as it is a long ways down to the bottom. Take care when you move through this section.

We ended up in a boggy area which had a lot of cows in it. We had to shoo them off the trail in parts. Once we rounded the canyon wall we started the climb through the endless meadows. Just as you thought you were getting close, there was more meadow to hike. This trail gradually gains elevation, so you are always climbing. We moved into the final meadow and that is when the clouds got dark and the thunder began. A light drizzle was coming down, but we moved up anyways. After 9.7 miles and over 1,700 feet of elevation gain, we arrived at Allsop Lake. We were greeted with thunder and made our way to find our camp. We found a good spot and raced to set up our tents up in case storms opened up on us. The weather gave us a short break to set up camp, have dinner, and a small fire to warm up by. As soon as we were done eating the thunder roared again, and we jumped in the tents as the rain started to downpour. I think I fell asleep for a couple of hours but was woken up half past midnight by a lightning strike that literally shook the ground. I laid there just watching the flashes and listening to the thunder and rain pelting my rain fly. Eventually I nodded off to get some good rest.

Day two brought clear skies and a beautiful sunrise. We got up, made breakfast and coffee, and decided to head out to try some fishing. These fish are fast action and a lot of fun! Mike stayed out fishing and I returned to camp to change out of my night gear into my day attire. While at camp, the clouds were playing with the light on the peaks. I took a nice reflection shot of Yard Peak. I made it back out to the lake, and we started to really fish Allsop Lake. At one point I was counting them out loud as I landed them. At one point, I landed ten in a row! Taking a break from casting, I set up a cool time lapse with the sun in the sky above Allsop Lake. We fished until the evening landing dozens of fish. Average length was 10" to 12" with a couple of them in the 13" to 14" range. We fished barbless and every single fish was returned to the lake alive and well. Catch and release is so rewarding. We know they will be there to make someone else's trip a good time. A north wind was blowing cold air so we got our fire going and made dinner. While eating dinner we watched a momma and baby mountain goat literally walk horizontal across the vertical face of Yard Peak. It was amazing how they could navigate that without falling. Sure was amazing to see and what skill those goats have. I set out the camera for a evening time lapse and settled in for the night. We had a great night by the fire catching up and enjoying some beverages I had hauled in. The clouds were playing games with me on whether I was going to get to shoot a star trail or not. Unfortunately it never cleared up to shoot anything but just a time lapse. That is the way it goes being a photographer. Sometimes things work out. Sometimes they do not. But that would never ruin the fun trip I was having. Eventually I coaled out our fire and turned in for some much needed rest.

Sunday brought more great weather with a little bit of a breeze. I think both of us slept in as it was quiet and peaceful up there. We got up, made breakfast and coffee, and started to pack it up. We were trail ready at 11:30 AM. The hike out was pleasant and we pushed a great pace. We made it to the Allsop/Priord junction in 2 hours and 16 minutes. That is 5.5 miles! We pushed out the last 4.2 miles in much warmer temps. I think both of us were just wanting those cold beverages we left in the car for when we got out. Eventually 3 hours and 51 minutes later we were standing at the car. What an incredible weekend with my good friend Mike. Full on adventure into the alpine! It is bitter sweet this time of year because it is wonderful to get out, but you know we are on borrowed time before winter returns to the high terrain. One of the best trips of the summer for me. It has been a good one. Fall backpacking begins after this weekend. Enjoy the pics, report, and the time lapse videos. More adventures to come!

Shadow Lake, Uinta Mountains- August 2018

Its been a couple of weeks since I have been out in the Uintas. I spent a week on the Oregon Coast to start August off. I did a little bit of hiking there, but mostly just some rest and relaxation, and some good quality time with my family. Coming home from Oregon to the fire smoke was awful, not to mention the perpetual heat we have had here all summer. Those Pacific Northwest coastal temps were great relief from the heat wave we have had in Utah. After a long week at work I knew I was going to need to get out there and see how things are doing. This was going to be an overnight solo trip as I only had Saturday and Sunday to get out. I arrived to the Crystal Lake trailhead packed as usual, but got a spot within minutes. I put on the pack and made my way in. The clouds looked ominous as I made my way past Washington Lake. They at one point made Mt Watson look like a volcano erupting. I then moved up the trail into my favorite section the boggy forest. Not so boggy this year, it is really dry out there this summer. I arrived at Tail Lake, then moved up the final section of this hike. This is usually a boggy, swampy mess with rocks, but because of the drought we are in the trail is dry. After making quick business of this trail I arrived 47 minutes later to Shadow Lake.

I had the whole place to myself. I was in disbelief with how busy the trailhead was, and it was a Saturday, that no one was camped here. The last person I saw on the way in was at Tail Lake. It was pretty windy when I arrived, so I got to camp set up and set out my camera for a time lapse. While that was running I put the finishing touches on my spot. I was kind of over the wind, it was a north wind and was very chilly and decided to go for a walk with no intention of a destination. I just wanted to wander to the area south of my camp that I have always wondered about. I put on the pack and grabbed my camera and just headed into the woods. Lots of game trails in this section. Made avoiding all the dead fall a breeze. I then topped out half expecting a lake, but instead ran into a huge boulder field. I could see a clearing in the distance and I was counting on there being a lake. I crossed a big section and landed on what I would say was better terrain which you could walk on. I'm thinking this is great, a fun little adventure. I stopped in a grove of trees in what you could call an Island of trees in this boulder field and ate the Thimble Berries that were growing everywhere up there. Yummy! I realized my headlamp was at camp so that got me looking at the time. I moved on to where I finally could see a lake, but not sure which one it was. I pulled out my phone and saw that it was 7:30 PM. I knew I had to route fine my way back to camp and cross this boulder field. Making your way through a boulder field which has car sized rocks and black holes in it is daunting in daylight. Do it in the dark with no head lamp is a death wish in my opinion. I made the smart and safe decision to turn around and headed back to camp.

Coming back to camp, I shot another time lapse and took a break for a bit after doing about a mile of off trail hiking and boulder hopping. The wind was cold, and I decided to get on the warm layers for the evening. While in my tent, I got to try out my new Sierra Designs Cloud 800 20 degree down zipperless sleeping bag. First impression is that it easy to get in and out of this bag. Way warmer than you would expect for the UL nylon fabric on the body of the bag. The pad sleeve really gives the bag structure and keeps you on your pad. For being under two pounds and this warm with all the features it has is amazing! I have been looking at quilts to shed the weight of a traditional sleeping bag, but was worried that they would not handle those temperatures that can fluctuate in minutes in the alpine. This is the best of both worlds. You have all the options of a mummy bag, but it closes with a top quilt that is great for side sleepers like myself. Even has a feature to vent your feet without getting out of the bag. After testing out the features of my new bag, I got things going for the evening. I made dinner, had a Twix for dessert, then got my fire going. I was kind of worried that the skies would not clear for the evening due to the fire smoke this wind had blown in. As soon as the sun set, the stars were bright in the sky! The Big Dipper was floating over Haystack Mountain. I set out the camera for a star trail and settled in for a very nice night by the fire! I love some good alone time. Helps me think about things and clear my head. A few beverages by the fire does not hurt either. Once the camera was done I took some shots at camp and just soaked in the view. Eventually wound things down, coaled out my fire and turned in.

I must have slept pretty well in my new sleeping bag. It was in the low 40's when I turned in. It was 8:30 AM when I opened my eyes and rolled out of bed. The winds were calm so I threw on the sandals and headed out to fish. I landed a couple of small brookies, but alas the lunkers in this lake that I have caught before eluded me. The winds started to kick up after a bit so I headed back to camp to make some coffee and breakfast. After enjoying a cup in my chair by the lake, and having breakfast, I packed it up. Soaked my fire pit, and I was packed and on the trail by noon. I ran into some cows at Tail Lake on the trail including a bull with big horns. At least there was no cow pies everywhere on the trail. Out past Washington Lake and found my self about an hour later standing at the Jeep. When you are short on time but wanna get out this is a great place to go. It was a great weekend and nice to be in the mountains again! Enjoy the pics and time lapses. More adventures to come!