Three o'clock rolled up at work. Without a plan for the evening, I checked the weather, 50's for an overnight low at Snowbird. Not having been to Lake Blanche for a while I decided to rush home, grab the rick, and head up.
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A brief detour to grab hard bread and fresh Smart Water bottles, I was almost on my way. I emailed my HOA on a stinky issue and spoke with two of my neighbors about it. I hope this issue is cleaned up quickly.
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Mill B South parking area over flowed to the hignway. I tugged on the new ULA-EQUIPMENT pack with Utah Red material. I can't mis-place it now. I headed up, thinking I am out of shape, I checked the photo time stamps of when. I left and arrived at LB's dam, 1 and a half hours. This is a quick day hiker's time. I'd passed a small group of Scouts and two gals struggling with not so over burdened packs. Plenty of day hikers headed down. The gals made it just at sunset. They said this hike took them 4 hours, yikes.
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I found a spot to cowboy camp under the stars. The half moon providing restless sleep for a while, I knew.
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I set a pot of water to boil on an alcohol stove powered by tabs, while setting camp. Tonight, soupy pasta sides with Esbit flavoring, yuck. I've got to store these Esbit fuel tabs elsewhere. Egyptian licorice tea for my warm drink, ah refreshing with a hint of Esbit.
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I hope everyone I the Valley caught the fire in the sky like sunset. From the rocky outcroppings, the sun reflected off the Great Salt Lake. I haven't seen such a glorious water sunset since my sailing days with Mercy Ships. Sundial Peak glowed as well.
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Sleeping regularly in a hammock taught me to enjoy sleeping on my back. Due to the bight moon, I rolled over a few times and a few times I rotated off my ground sheet. Snowbird's low was spot on. With a 3/4 Thermarest and a 20 degree quilt, I slept soundly, only my shoulders got chilly as I did not snug up the top.
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I rolled over a few times for night photos. I doubt they're any good. When the sun hit the top of the Sundial, I popped out of my cocoon. Breaking camp in 5 minutes. I took my pack to the day use area to brew coffee. 2 packs of Starbucks instant is too strong for 10 oz water. This too had a hint of Esbit. 1 Esbit tab brought the lake water to a roaring boil.
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Taking my coffee for a wander, I caught the reflections of fresh light on the peak on the water. Over night ice quickly melting. Yes, it was cool enough to support some ice growth near other ice that was present. The Scouts were out fishing, catching fish not much bigger than my phone.
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I spotted a few things that chafe me. Graffiti tags on the rocks, what the hell? This area sees hundreds of people on a warm summer day, why screw it up for others. Next sloppy campsites. Leave no trace principles are huge for me. Sloppy campsites include fire rings, strewn gear, and trash. These are unsigjtly. I doubt these pervs will clean up their mess much before leaving. There fire ring will attract more fire rings and the trash, rodents which will bother others.
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I've tried to attach photos to emailed blog posts before and they don't quite work. I'll tray again.
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Funny story, on my way up, I reached around, grabbed my water, opening it I proceed to spray myself. I'd grabbed sparkling water not bottled regular water, bawha. No matter, I let it fizz for a moment, enjoyed the refreshing liquid coat my throat. I then wiped up my fizzy hands and trekking poles.
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As I sit, now 10 am, lands of day hikers are cresting the dam and seeing the reflection off the lake. The sounds of awe Echo with each hiker.
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Enjoy, hike wise and hike smart.
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