Cuberant Basin, Uinta Mountains- September 2021

Warm weekend to cap off September and you know I was going solo backpacking! I decided to hit Cuberant Basin since I had not been in there this year. After a quick hop up the highway, I made my way to the trailhead. I put on the pack and boots and headed in. They changed the Kamas turn off this year. It follows the Cuberant trail for .2 miles before it makes a turn north. I made great time up to the pass and up and over into the basin. The skies were clear, temperatures perfect, and I was just happy to be there!

I got the camp I wanted arrving at my spot for the weekend. I put shop together and then went fishing. It was fast action right off the bat and I landed one right after another for a couple of hours before heading back to camp to settle in for the evening.

Night came in and I got my fire going and had dinner. It was crystal clear so you know I was going to shoot some astrophotography. I got a really cool star trail and I got a nice Milky Way shot from camp. I had a very nice night, peaceful, and went to bed fulfilled from a great first day!

Day 2 came with clear skies and cool temps. I got up and made coffee and did a little fishing. I got one then came back to camp to get ready for the day. I put together the day pack and headed to loop the basin for the day. I hit all my favorite spots, and did some fishing, and had some luck! I was solo and it was so quiet. It was a great day and just what I was up for!

I returned to camp, had a snack, then went out fishing and caught a beautiful brookie to cap off the trip! Night came and I got my fire going after dinner. Another clear night so I decided to shoot another star trail and enjoy myself by a nice warm fire! Such a amazing quiet night with no one around. The stars were so bright! It was truly a perfect night in camp! When my shots were done I turned in for some much needed sleep.

Sunday morning came and it was cold! I got up and made coffee as I packed up camp. Around 9 AM I hit the trail home. Most of the meadows were covered in frost and the light was really nice to shoot photography with. The fall colors were popping and were such a treat to see as I made my way back to the Jeep! An incredible weekend solo in the Uintas! I am hoping to get one more! Enjoy the pics! Check out my YouTube video from this trip! Please like and subscribe! More adventures to come!

Castle Lake, Uinta Mountains- September 2021

I was hoping that I would get a Friday through Sunday trip but alas life throws curve balls at your sometimes. I decided to visit another place on the list. This is a short hike but 99% of it is off trail and takes some navigating to find your way. It passes one beautiful lake, then takes off into the woods to some rock ledges with big boulders on them. There is a rock carin about 1/2 way in so that helps you keep you going in the right direction. Staying left of the boulder field you make your way down to the first pond, then down to the lake.

This is a beautiful lake that was so quiet. I found a nice camp spot and set up shop for the night. I fished for a few hours but unfortunately nothing struck anything I threw at them. So I moved up back to camp and processed my fire wood for the night. It was evening and I went back down to the lake for some some fishing. Alas, I got nothing. And that is how it goes sometimes.

Night fell and it was crystal clear. I got my fire going and put dinner together. It was a nice night with a nearly full moon. Perfect for shooting a star trail. I put out my camera and sat by the fire. It was such a nice night I enjoyed every moment. Before going to bed I knew that a storm was coming in the next day so I pre packed my camp as my camera was finishing up. I was in bed just before midnight.

Morning came and with it came dark clouds, wind, and some really nice light! I could tell a storm was brewing so I packed it up and headed out. It was a nice nice hike, as the dark clouds came rolling in. Eventually I made it to the Jeep and just as I put the pack in the back the skies opened up! Timed that one perfectly! Enjoy the pics and check out my YouTube video! Make sure to subscribe and like! More adventures to come!

Labor Day Backpacking In The Uintas- September 2021

Its that time of the year. The sun starts to set earlier, and Labor Day is kind of the last summer weekend in the Uintas. Of course you know I was going backpacking. I made my way to the trailhead on Friday and got the very last spot in the lot. I took my time and finished my coffee, then put on the boots and pack and made my way in. I was over the pass in about 33 minutes. I did it last year in 37 minutes so that is an improvement. The trail I was on was uncrowded from the lot. It was a peaceful walk with some hits of fall in the ground cover and grasses to look at. It was cool air and I was no complaining one bit. The skys were crystal clear and the wind was still. Seeing old haunts was really fun as I made my way into the basin.

I made a good pace up to the top of the basin, then bobbed and weaved my way through the off trail section to my spot. After about 5 miles, I was standing at camp. I put things together and then settled in for a bit as it was pretty windy. I harvested my wood and then tried my hand at fishing. The wind was pretty stout, so my luck was ust not there. I fished till evening. The Wasatch National Forest removed their fire restrictions on September 2nd, 2021 so I was able to have a fire. It was a very nice night with the Milky Way overhead! It was an amazing night! I turned in for some much needed sleep.

Morning came and I got up and tried fishing again. Same result so I returned to camp and made coffee and breakfast. I decided to get out of camp and go for a hike and try to fish some other lakes in the area. The weather was great and you couldn't ask for a better day. My first stop had some surface action so I threw in a line. After missing some strikes I finally landed a fish on this trip! A 12 inch Tiger, but I'll take it! I got a couple of more on the line that got off and landed another 11 inch Tiger. I moved to another lake, and hooked into a very large fish, but it got off before I could land it! I moved on and fished some more lakes but only got one strike and no fish. Still fun to be hiking around all alone. It was quiet. Even the busiest lake in this area was not too busy. I headed back to camp to settle in for some fishing there and to get ready for the evening.

Evening came and with it a classic Uintas sunset with bats eating the bugs off the water. I settled in with a nie fire and put out my camera for a star trail. It was a beautiful night, no wind, and stars as far as the eye could see. These are the nights I live for! After a great time by the fire I turned in about midnight.

Labor Day Morning I was up at 7, got coffee and breakfast going while I packed up, and I headed out around 9 AM. It was a beautiful hike, and the temps were perfect. Along the way, I have been eyeballing this one spot for years, and I decided today was the day I was going to take a detour and check it out. Gorgeous place, and I decided to drop the pack and fish for an hour since I had made such good time. Fourth cast I had a small Brook Trout on. Not much longer and I had another one one as well. I could hear some bigger jumps accross the lake, so I walked around so see what was happening. I checked out some possible future camp spots, and on my first cast landed a huge Tiger Trout! It fought me a good one and I was so happy to have gotten a decent sized fish on this trip! I fished a bit more and landed another nice 12 inch Brookie to finish off the fun at this spot! I will go back for sure! The rest of the hike out was nice, a little warmer than I would like and after about an hour I was standing at the Jeep. A great weekend enjoying the Uintas! Enjoy the pics and make sure you check out my YouTube video for a live action version of events. Fall us upon us in the range. Just a few more weekends till this party turns from drit dances to snow dances. Get em' while you can! More adventures to come!