Tradition compelled me to visit an old haunt here in the Uintas. Cuberant Basin has been a place I have visited every year since 2009. This Septmeber marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. I made my way in the trail and it was cool compared to the previous weeks visit. The meadows were still pretty green but there were hints that fall was starting to pop. The hike in was quiet, I only passed two hikers going the other way. It was just a beautiful day, and it was hard to not get caught up in it. I made the junction pretty quickly and began the ascent to the pass. I have done so many passes and peaks in the last two years, this did not seem much of a climb this time around. Once I reached the top I soaked in the view and took it all in for a minute or two.
Descending the pass on the other side as I entered Cuberant Basin, I saw some Bluebells hangning on, and a very large Fale Hellebore which I have never seen in here! I made my way down past #2, then arrived at #3. My usual spot was occupied so I moved to the next camp over at this lake. It is actually in my opinion, has more privacy than the kitchen rock camp. Once I got camp set up I headed out to go fishing with my tenkara rod. Second cast I had one on and it was fish on from there! I caught so many until dusk I forgot the final count. Some decent sized fish as well. It was a great day and evening began to set in.
Night fell, and with it so did the temps. I changed into the night gear, then got my fire going. You could tell fall was here! The night sky was crystal clear and I got a beautiful Milky Way shot, and a star trail that is one of the best I have done all year! Eventually I coaled out my fire and turned in.
Morning came and it was cold but clear. The sun was starting to break the ridge and the fog was rolling across the lake. I got up and had breakfast and coffee and then packed up the gear for a loop hike of the basin. The first two sections were off trail and navigating a really steep slope down to #5. This lake has no fish, but is beautiful and rarely visited. I found a mylar balloon and packed it out! After a brief visit to #5 I made my way up to the spooky pond. I arrived to the Salamaders out in force. They were attcking the bugs on the surface like fish! I have never seen that. I then made my way up to the Moose tracks pond and stopped here for some lunch. I got to sit on my favorite rock and just enjoyed the quiet and the birds flying in and out of the trees. Then it was on to #4 to do some fishing! I had a couple on right away but they got off. I moved around the lake and finally sucess! Nice sized Tiger trouts! I actually spent a couple of hours here fishing because the action was so good! I caught more than 1/2 a dozen before moving on because it was becoming later in the day. I stopped at #1 for a photo, them moved down to #2. I was just going to keep going to my camp, but then I saw so much fish action I decided for fun to toss in a line. Third cast I had a beautiful Cutthroat on and that completed the trifecta of trouts in this basin! I made my way back to camp to settle in after a long 4 mile loop.
Evening for my final night set, and I got ready for another good night at camp. It was warmer on this evening, and it just seemed less chilly than the previous night. The sunset this evening I had another nice fire and the night sky put on a great show! After some great times under the stars it was time to hit the sleeping bag.
Morning came and the sun was up when I got out of the tent. I had a great nights sleep and was refreshed from the days previous adventures. I got camp packed, then made coffee, then put the pack on. Both nights camped in here I had a deer in my camp after I had turned in walking around and forageing. It even sniffed my tent on night two. I finally got it on camera on my way out. As I crested the pass there were two Spruce Grouse hangning out and I got some video of them. As I got to the south side of the pass, I had a Momma and Baby Mountain Goat climb up the pass not 50 yards from me! It was a wild life Sunday on trail! A few miles later and I was back at the Jeep finishing up another amazing weekend in this place I love to visit! Enjoy the pics, and to see more make sure you check out the YouTube video below for a live action version of this trip! More adventuresto come!
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