Boulder Mountain, Dixie National Forest- June 2023

The time had come to head south to one of my favorite places Boulder Mountain. It is a yearly adventure to visit this place. After a three hour drive, I arrived at the trailhead, put on the boots and pack, and made my way up the trail. Its so green this year! The wind was blowing pretty steady and the temps were really cool for the end of June. As I made my way up the mountain, the dandelion superbloom was in full effect! It was so nice to see! Once I junctioned with the Great Western Trail it was a lot less windy in the trees. After some time on the trail, I made it to the spot I was shooting for. I set up camp and then headed out for some fishing! Right off the bat I got a huge Brookie on the line and boy was it worth all that driving and hiking! I fished for hours just enjoying where I was and realxing.

Evening set in and I got my camp situated. It was going to be a glorious night with crystal clear skies and bright stars. I had a nice fire and shot some great astrophotography! I stayed up much later than I usually do to get the images I wanted. But eventually I got tired and it was time to turn in.

It was cold overnight. I usually dont bundle up in my sleeping bag but I did on Friday night. I slept in a bit as I had some interrupted sleep from the cold. I awoke, made breakfast and coffee, and then packed it up to head to another lake for a hike and some fishing. The hike was so green, far more green than I have ever seen it. Arriving at the lake it too has a lot of water this year. I fished for a few hours but alas I did not catch anything. I made my way back to my camp and I was so tired from the night before I laid down for a nap. I awoke so refreshed and felt much better. I went up to another lake to try my hand at fishing. When I got there, it too had flooded its banks and it took some trick boulder hopping to get to a fishable spot. I gave it a shot but no luck. I made my way back to the first lake and fished till dusk. I then returned to camp and got things ready for my last night.

My last night was relaxing and had clear skies once more. I set out my camera for a star trail, and enjoyed my fire. I everntually turned in for some much needed sleep. Morning came and I made coffee and then packed it up. The hike out was beautiful and the dandelion superbloom was a feast for the eyes! Enjoy the pics and make sure you watch my YouTube video from this trip. More adventures to come!

Overnight In The Uintas, Solo Backpacking, Uinta Mountains- June 2023

Well after eight months of waiting for winter to let its grip off the Uintas, I was able to finally get out for a backpacking trip! It was so good to be back up there enjoying the sound of silence. I made a quick AM drive into the trailhead, then finished up the coffee, threw on the pack and boots and made my way in. Utah had a record breaking winter, so everything is lush and green this year. The trail was mostly dry to the river crossing. The first meadow was showing off the views for sure. Once you round the corner you start to climb into the drainage. The river was rushing and the sound was very soothing. Flowers here, mud there, not too bad, and nothing that would make you turn around. Just careful steps was the key. I hit the first big up, and it was a small stream in the trail. As I continued on, I arrived at the first pond on the trail and it was as full as I have ever seen it. This part of the trail is so nice, and really sets the tone for a great day! As I continued on, the flowers just kept becoming more beautiful and the trees were lush and full! A couple of stream crossings, and down to camp I went!

After getting camp set up, I fetched some water, then put my tenkara rod together to try some fishing at the ponds. I fished them for quite a while, I got one on, but unfortunately it got off. Thats just how it goes. While I was fishing, a very aggresive deer was snotring and getting unusually close to me and It was a bit strange. I wrapped up fishing and went back to camp. That same deer was pacing back and forth on the ridge above my camp and making some sort of call. It was so weird how this deer just seem fixated on me. At one point it was standing in a clearing and just staring at me. Creepy Deer! Watch my YouTube video below for a more detailed look at this encounter. So strange! I got my fire going for the evening, then made a new Ramen/Freeze Dried Veggies/Sriracha dish in my Toaks pot and it was so good! That is going on the regular rotaion in my meal planning. After dinner and the abscence of any crazy deer present I got my D810 out and set up a star shot and a star trail. The night was clear and the temps mild. I enjoyed my fire just listening to the forest and the river. Eventually it was lights out for a good nights sleep.

Morning came, and was slightly cool though not miserable. The lack of bugs on this trip to this point has been mind blowing. I packed up camp, made coffee, then decided since I was packed about an hour earlier than planed, I would finish my coffee and try my hand at some tenkara casting. It was quiet out there. Not much action, and my luck did not change. I wrapped up the fishing kit, then threw on the pack and started the hike out. Flowers were really blooming more than on the way in and the clouds provided some mood to the adventure. Its been since Ocotober last year since I have been to the Uintas. It is so good to be back. The YouTube edit of this adventure is posted below. Enjoy the pics! More adventures to come!

Drift Creek Falls, Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon- June 2023

It is a rare treat where I get a day to hike with my beautiful wife. So when you get the chance, I don't pass it up! The Oregon Coast has a variety of places you can go where humans have not left their imprint. The Siuslaw National Forest is wild and you should definitely put it on your list! We arrived at the trailhead to it being not very crowded at all. We put on the packs and headed in. This hike always makes me think I am on Endor from the Star Wars trilogy. We looked for Ewoks, but unfortunately found none. It was just beautiful this time around, and a treat for my wife who was enjoying it for her first time. We made our descent and crossed the bridge on the upper part of the creek to head for the falls.

We moved on to the exhilarating part of this hike. The Drift Creek Suspension Bridge! Built in 1997, the bridge is dedicated to the late Scott Paul, (no relation I assure you) who was a trail builder with the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Mr. Paul was the construction foreman on the early Forest Service portion of the construction. He died in a tragic rigging accident during construction. The bridge was completed by Sahale, a firm that specializes in trail bridge construction. The bridge is 100 feet high above Drift Creek, and is 240 feet long. It is three feet wide and is supported by 2 29' towers anchored into the rock on each side. It is intimidating the first time you cross this bridge. If you do not like heights, this may not be the hike for you. Once you are accross you see why all the fuss! Drift Creek Falls is 66' high and cascades in a narrow stream from the top to the creek bed below. We hiked down to the base of the falls and picks a shady spot and settled in. The sound of the water is soothing, and it was so nice to be back here!

The hike out was so nice! You do all of your elevation gain returning to the trailhead. You need a Northwest Forest Pass which is purchased online from the Siuslaw National Forest website. Also a America The Beautiful Pass is accepted to park at the trailhead. Such an amazing day with my best friend and the weather could not have been better. Enjoy the pics and watch the YouTube video below of this hike! More adventures to come!

Cutler Wetlands Open Space Loop, Lincoln City, Oregon- June 2023

The ocean was calling and I had to answer! I traveled to Lincoln City on the Oregon Coast for a vacation with my family. What is realy neat is this trail is one block from where we stay while we were there. It is beautiful, and gives you that feeling of being in an Oregon forest.

I did this hike several times while in Lincoln City. Its pretty neat! You are close to Siletz Bay so you can hear the ocean as you hike during high tide. Low tide it is so quiet minus the occasional bird. I am so happy they preserved this area! I will for sure visit this place again! Enjoy the pics and check out my YouTube video from this hike!