This is a little late, but it took a while to edit the video I made for the hike. I put the video together and it was over an hour in length. Then I shortened it to 20 minutes and made a part 1 and 2 for youtube. Anyways, I took 2 boy scouts and another leader on a 50 mile hike in the Uintas. Our plan was to knock out 50 miles and summit King’s Peak. King’s Peak is the tallest peak in Utah at a little over 13500 ft. I was hoping to take more than just 2 scouts, but it ended up that only 2 were available. Unfortunately for me, the two that came are also our fastest hikers, and the other leader is big into triathlons. Needless to say, I spent most of the time well behind them.
Our trek started at China Meadows, which is a car camping campground and a parking lot with a trail head. It was the lowest point on the trip at around 9500 ft. The first day involved hiking over a ridge to Henry’s Fork Basin and camping at Bear Lake. It felt like I was running, just trying to catch up, and the higher altitude was kicking my butt. Here is a view of King’s Peak as we are dropping into Henry’s Fork Basin.
The next day we hiked out of Henry’s Fork Basin and into Painter Basin. We had to go over Gunsight Pass which is at about 11800 ft. Most of Henry’s Fork Basin is around 11000ft, and we stayed around 11500 in Painter’s Basin. Here is a view of Mount Powel from Henry’s Fork Lake.
Here is a view of my campsite in Painter’s Basin. Notice that I couldn’t hang my hammock, no trees. But, I made do with my CCF and my hammock as a bug shelter.
The next day we headed to the summit. We took our packs to Anderson Pass which is a little over 12600 ft and then left the packs for the mile to the summit. Here is a picture of the boys climbing to the summit. It was pretty much just climbing over boulders. I didn’t take the picture, the other leader did. I was too busy trying not to die. I had to stop every few steps to catch my breath. The low oxygen was kicking my behind. But, I never got sick, just winded, all the time.
And, here I am at the top. And another of the group of us on the top.
And here is a precipice that we took the boys sitting on. This was to show their moms.
After we picked up our packs, we headed to Yellowstone Basin. The trail coming down Anderson’s Pass was a little steep, but not too bad.
Here is our campsite in Yellowstone Basin. I was happy to find trees for my hammock. Our camp was around 11000 ft.
The next day we hiked out over Smith’s Fork Pass into Smith’s Fork Basin. The pass is around 12000. Here is a flower we saw on the way out.
We were going to camp at Lower Red Castle Lake, but we noticed a bunch of scout troops going the same way. So, we went down the trail a little and camped on the river. Here is a picture at our lunch stop. I am using the Sawyer Squeeze filter. We really liked it, plus the weight ain’t bad.
Here is a view of Red Castle on the trail to our camp.
The next day we decided to day hike up to Lower Red Castle Lake and do some fishing. I put a spinner on the end of my line, and as soon as the first cast hit the water, I caught this beautiful brook. I spent the next hour with no luck. One of my scouts also caught a similar sized tiger trout. Here is a picture of the fish, and the way we cooked them.
After eating the fish and cleaning up, we packed up and headed to a closer campsite to the car. Then Saturday morning, we packed up and headed home. It was one great week, and one that the boys will never forget.
Here is the video I did on youtube. My wife said the sound is a little too dramatic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4xYe...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp02q...eature=related
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Pipsissewa
Bookmarks