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| The High Uintahs' 2018, UT | |
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| | The High Uintahs' 2018, UT | | | |
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The High Uintahs' 2018, UT
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| no partners | | A couple of short backpacks, car camping and a day hike in there. Saw approximately 40-50 bodies of water, but most were tarns and bogs, then the name and unnamed lakes in the glacial cirques. I returned to a great area and camped in the exact same spot of 13 years earlier; same modus operendi, I was so tired when I got to the lake plopped down in the same spot. The trail was not quite as muddy as remembered but the steepness and rockiness unchanged. Air quality was terrible first day due to nearby fires, but the wind direction changed and skies were mostly clear, slightly hazy.
I off trailed it in the cirque then went to my favorite lake in the Uintahs, of course no trail to it but the anglers frequent it although I saw no one this trip. Several parties camped by the main lake, but every one out of sight of each other.
I had decided to take some old boots I still had out of retirement, some heavy old Raichles' but they still fit my feet. Mistake. Fell apart once at the campsite. I had some camp shoes but certainly not anything I wanted to carry a heavy pack with. So dayhiked with them, stuffed my bare orthotics in them, and duck taped and tied up the disentegrating soles on the other to make the main hike out.
Morning brought still glassy reflections and although late for the big flower shows still some nice flowers about.
Love the area of the glacial moraine and "eratics". Despite many tarns and bogs mosquitoes were not bad.
Hiked out not taking a side trip or two due to the boots. Made it to the Jeep with heels flopping. I had another pair of boots in the car. Car camped it, then went to a rather popular TH for a dayhike to a pass with a great overlook into another lake studded basin. The parking lot was full when I got back but I only saw a few people on that trail. A lot of the TH's off the Mirror Lake hwy access several trails from one area.
Big Bummer were lots of dead trees, I mean a lot, in some areas more dead than alive. A ranger I spoke to said in addition to the bark beetle, there was a spruce beetle and some kind of moth attacking the Aspen. WTH!!
So, I had another area that would be a short backpack for an overnight and a good chance I would have the lake to myself. I hauled the pack up the trail, boy howdy there was a super steep section with loose rock but great views.
I got to said lake and sure enough, I was it, at least as far as I did an evening hike pretty much around it and didn't see another tent. I camped in a great spot with a view down the lake. The level was down some so some nice big rocks to sit on for dinner and morning coffee with views.
Maiden voyage for my Big Agnes Copper Spur single tent. A little heavy but I like the true freestanding aspect and very well made. I like a tent for high country stuff versus a bivy in case of storms.
Out the next day, and managed not to fall on the downhill, a good thing. At the parking lot a few people and asked what lake and how it was. Most hikers you see someone has a fishing pole. I know at one lake the fish I saw seemed huge to me.
Good trip, need to be a little more on it regarding old gear, but hey I am an old hiker and I can still do it, what's up with these boots--
Lots of pictures and will take a while to process.
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