Adventure Learning Report - High Uintas Backpacking Trip

For the past few years Logan River Academy Adventure Learning has done a backpacking trip into the High Uintas Wilderness Area each August. August is the prime time to visit this mountain range in Northeastern Utah, the only true major mountain range that runs east to west in the US. Many of the trailheads that we use to access our destinations begin at an elevation around, and often above, 10,000’ in elevation. Dozens of the high peaks throughout the range are above 12’000’, with the highest point in Utah, Kings Peak, topping out at 13,528’. With such high elevations commonplace in the Uintas, a majority of the months in a calendar year are prone to adverse weather conditions that could compromise the enjoyment of a trip. Too early in the year and snow will be found in the shady areas on high passes and trails, too late in the year and you run the risk of waking up to the first snow of the year. Also, bugs. From the time the snow begins rapidly melting, to the first-ish part of August, you are going to be eating mosquitoes every other bite with your dinner. Hence, mid to late August is a great time for the Uintas.

 

Hiking in to our campsite

 

There was no shortage of beautiful scenery

Taking a moment to meditate and take in the view

Our trip this year began at the Bald Mountain trailhead along the Mirror Lake Highway. Out of the 2000+ lakes in the Uintas, we chose to spend our weekend at Reids Lake, directly below the western face of Reids Peak. We were hoping for, and mostly had, seclusion from the many backpackers hoping to spend one last weekend in the mountains before “summer break” was over by staying at Reids Lake which was off the designated trail by about a half-mile. While we did see a dozen or so people at the lake throughout the weekend, our hidden hillside campsite was vacant besides us and the animals. Over half of the lakes in the Uintas are teeming with hungry trout; Brook Trout specifically at Reids Lake. We spent much of the weekend attempting to catch enough fish to enjoy an over-the-fire fish fry to supplement our dehydrated dinners we packed in. Our timing Friday evening coincided perfectly with a caddis fly hatch around 7pm that had us catching fish on the back cast if we hadn’t gotten one on the initial forward cast; it was amazing. Over the entire weekend we caught nearly 30 fish as a group and ate quite well. 

 

One of our catches of the day

 

 We couldn't have asked for betting fishing

 Love that reflection off the lake. Just beautiful.

On Saturday afternoon we had a Siberian Husky wander into our lakeside hangout and despite the collar and tags, no one ever showed up to claim him. We named him Cowboy and treated him to what food we could give him. He stayed with us all evening and throughout the night which may have proved to a better fortune than we initially thought. Around 5am Sunday morning we heard our food-tree being shaken around and our hung food bag being swung around by something of notable size. Almost immediately Cowboy let loose a torrent of angry barks and growls that lasted a few minutes. We never were able to see what caused his unease or what was causing the noises, but Black Bear are quite common in the Uintas and are relatively timid of people and other animals, so…who knows. 

 

Our friend Cowboy

Aside from our early morning wake-up, our Sunday was fairly uneventful with the hike back to the vehicle. Cowboy’s owners (they called him Moose) were near the trailhead upon returning and had lost him the night before and were very relieved to have him back. Overall we had a great trip; lots of fish were caught, beautiful scenery wasn’t scarce and the weather really couldn’t have been any more pleasant. 

 

 Great views

One more for good measure

Mike Bodrero, Adventure Learning Coordinator

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