After the big trip into Four Lakes Basin the weekend before, I was looking to get out and do an overnighter locally in a different area. I remembered a trail in the Lone Peak Wilderness I had done nearly a decade ago. I decided since my Mirror Lake Recreation Pass works in American Fork Canyon, why not? I made my way up the canyon, then up the really rough road that takes you to the trailhead. I saw two wheel drive vehicles make it up here, but I wouldn't recommend it. Its pretty rough and not well graded. Once at the trailhead I put on the pack and headed in. It was extremely warm and I was sweating right off the bat from the humidity. It doesn't seem like you are gaining a lot of elevaiton then you get to the creek crossing. Fireweed is everywhere there this year!
This is not a terribly long hike, 2.5 miles as the crow flies but it 1,400 feet of elevation gain in that 2 1/2 miles! As you ascend the switchbacks the views of Timpanogos get better and the flora changes from gamble oak to pine and wildflowers. After a good push you will find yourself standing lake side! This is a beautiful alpine lake set in a cirque below the Cottonwood ridgeline. I quickly hit the spot I was looking for and bingo it was not occupied! I set up shop as the clouds billowed overhead.
After getting my camp set up I spent most of my day fishing and circumnavigating the lake. I hooked into some nice fish but most of them got off on the strip in, but I did manage to land one small brookie. It was a beautiful day on a alpine lake casting the fly rod. Really peaceful!
Dusk started to set in so I collected some water and then headed back to camp. Once back to camp I sat out on the back porch and soaked in the nice view! Darkeness fell and it was tiem to put out the camera for a star trail. I had scouted a really nice location in there when I got to camp and it was going to be a awesome spot to shoot from. I sat in camp as the camera ran its images and had a couple of cold ones under clear skies and a crescent moon. Eventually rounded up the camera and got in the sleeping bag for some of the best sleep I have had all year backpacking!
Morning came and I awoke and started packing it up. As I did I heated up some coffee and had breakfast. After some coffee and a change of clothes I was ready to hit the trail. It was a nice hike out with beautiful light and flowers everywhere! Enjoy the post here and hit my YouTube channel for the live action story about this trip! Subscribe and Like! More adventures to come!
I had made some location interests of new places I have not been in the Uintas for 2021, Four Lakes Basin and Carolyn Lake were on that list. I met a freind of mine named Jim, and his friends Mike, Moroni, and his daughter Sophie at the trailhead. We all made our way in with Jim setting a good pace. I had been in this trail to the Packard Junction a few weeks ago but had not been past that. There is some deadfalls in the trail, but they are easy to get around. We hiked to the first river crossing and we took a break. A great place at 5 miles to filter some water and to take a quick break.
We then moved up the trail passing the Pinto Junction and then up to the Carolyn Junction. Another good push and you end up at a juntion that you can either head up Rocky Sea Pass continuing the High Line Trail or you can head South for Four Lakes Basin. We took another break here and then moved on. Some gradual incline before you switch back on your way into the basin. We took in the view from the top then made our way down. At the west end of Jean Lake we took a very bouldery off trail route to Dean Lake. After 9 miles my legs were shot, but we made it. We got camp set up and just hung around as the howling wind was bombarding us. No bugs though because of the strong winds, so that was a bonus. After dinner I tried som evening fishing but alas because of the wind, no avail.
Darkness came and I put myself in the meadow behind camp and proceeded to get one of the best Milky Way Shots I have taken all year. I was also because of the extra warm temps able to get a Milky Way time lapse as well as sitting out there was pleasant and not even cold despite the wind. I moved my camera lake side and put it out for a star trail as the winds continued to howl. During the time lapse one of the best meteors I have seen in three years burned up right over head. After that it was time to turn in for some sleep.
Morning came and the winds never stopped all night. I may have had 4 hours of sleep. I got up made breakfast and the group decided descending a little bit to get out of this wind was a good idea. I packed it mostly up, then went fishing for a little while. I was able to get a few on so that made the trip for sure. I returned to camp and we threw the packs on and made our way out to the small pass that takes us back to the High Line Trail. After about 2.5 miles we were at Carolyn Lake for our second camp.
After getting camp set I spent most of my day fishing and exploring the area. It is a nice lake with views and is really green in this area. The Gralyings were red hot! I was catching them on almost every cast at one point! I spent hours fishing then settled into camp for the evening to make dinner and rest before the last night out there. Once dark set in you could see the fire smoke that had ben blown in earlier in the day wasa going to make shooting at night tricky, but I was still able to rattle off a Milky Way shot before bed. I turned in for some much needed sleep.
I awoke at 6:30 AM and started to pack it up. Jim was doing the same. The rest of camp started to get up just as I was leaving at 7:30 AM. Jim caught up with me about a couple of miles out of camp and we had a great walk just talking and enjoying the mild temps and the wildflowers. After about 6.5 miles I found myself at the Jeep with an ice cold Gatorade which was so good after a long weekend. Thanks to Jim for the invite. Got to knock off two more bucket list destinations in the Uintas. Got some really fun astrophotography, fishing was the best it has been all season, and 18 miles round trip to boot. A lot to be grateful. Enjoy the pics and such, and hit my YouTube video below for a live action version of events. Subscribe and Like! More adventures to come!
