Backpacking in the Uintas brings to mind an exploration of the mountain range’s most postcard-esque landscapes, requiring heavily-laden packs chock full of enough supplies to last a month outdoors. But sometimes you just want a quick getaway for the weekend, yet demand an escape from the crowds at established campsites. There are many small, remote lakes in…
Tag: Uinta Mountains
Backpacking Naturalist Basin in the Uinta Mountains
Hike, hike, hike. Damn my pack is heavy. Hike, hike, hike. Take a picture. Hike some more. That about describes a backpacking trip to Naturalist Basin in Utah’s Uinta Mountains. Oh, and the scenery is ‘effin’ spectacular. So much so, that Naturalist Basin is one of the most popular backpacking areas in the entire range….
Bear cubs get their closeup in the Uinta Mountains
The morning began with butterflies in my stomach. It was an adventure, and opportunity of a lifetime. I had a chance to go into the backcountry with a group from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and find a black bear den with a momma and cubs. It’s amazing how brave I can be amongst…
Top 5 Utah outdoor adventures of 2010
As we near the end of 2010, it’s a good time to look back on all the outdoor adventures we took part in over the course of a year. From skiing to mountain biking, hiking and backpacking, the trips listed below have made the Top 5 Utah outdoor adventures because they all share one thing in…
Backpacking to Wall Lake in the Uinta Mountains
Backpacking has no equal alpine venue in the state of Utah than the Uinta Mountains. From classics like Kings Peak and Naturalist Basin, to lesser-known destinations such as Hidden Lake, late summer sees thousands of people humping their heavy packs into the rock strewn peaks and pine forests. But for the beginner backpacker, the imposing faces of…
Hike Mount Agassiz
Summer is almost over, and we all want to send it out on a high note. One last big banger to put an exclamation point on the season. Maybe you’ve already done Kings Peak, or maybe you just want something with less crowds. Either way, hiking Mount Agassiz in the High Uintas Wilderness is a…
Backpacking, beer and peeing in the woods
There’s nothing like pulling your pants down to take a quick pee in the woods. It’s liberating, yet at the same time I’m constantly checking to make sure no woodland creature comes and takes a nip at my bum. Or my husband isn’t around the corner trying to catch me with my pants down. But…
Hidden Lake revealed in the Uinta Mountains
The dilemma: you want to backpack somewhere close to home in a beautiful mountain setting, and have the place to yourself. Sounds like just the kind of tall order that most hikers dream up every weekend. The answer: Hidden Lake in the western Uintas. This serene alpine lake delivers on all three of those demands…