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!