Loop Time

A discussion with a work mate on Tuesday made me glad I hadn't gone to the Uinta's.  A quick look at the forecast and at the maps, I decided to head up to, rather down to Sheep Creek Road and do a 20 mile loop in preparation for my vacation.  It'll be good.

Since I went to a Singles BBQ, I hit the road and on to the southern end of Sheep Creek around 9 am, it's a little more than an hour away.  I parked at Second Water, hike down to Fifth Water Trailhead, up passed the hot springs (complete with dogs in the water) passed a few more water falls, and across Sheep Creek Road.  I stopped for lunch.  Looking at the map and the time, I decided to press on.

At the top of 5th Water, I turned south towards 2nd Water.  5th and 4th Water canyons had good spots to camp but I decided to see what it took to do a long day.  Along the south bound portion, I played leap frog with a family of Trail riders on motor cross bikes.  Eventually they passed me for good.

I took a break at all the creek crossings on this leg.  Made good time.  Ironically, I'm at the same site I was last weekend.  Tomorrow's a short day maybe 2 miles to the car.  By my estimate, 18 miles today.  I chose not to stop at the hot springs to soak, also bathing in sulfur infused water is not my thing. I like my miles.

My thoughts today are not on the chafing, side note don't use hand sanitizer to clean that stuff, nuff said.  I'm sure there is a warning about rubbing it over chapped skin somewhere .  Thoughts aren't on the vacation, which is rapidly approaching.  It's on something completely different.  A Christian Church from Kalispell MT wants to plant a church in SLC.  I am a Christian.  I served as a missionary, cooking for a particular sea going organization, for many years.  I asked on of the team members from MT, why SlC.  His response 'an area can never have to many churches'  I stayed for the rest of that interest meeting.  I've gone to a few more meetings.  Would my readers mind if I added more to my blog besides hiking and more hiking?

Sorry about not following through with the last entry of doing an out and back on the Great Western.

The Great Western

It's Memorial Day Weekend, looking at the weather all week at work drove me a little nutty.  Rain/snow at 40% chance in the Uinta's or rain at 20% south of Utah County.  Even late Friday I didn't have a clue.  I swung by an outfitter for a map of the southern Wasatch.  My target became anything off Spanish Fork Canyon aka Highway 6.  It's an hour, odd, drive and if I see a bunch of snow there I can day trip it and be comfortable.

The Great Western caught my eye.  I've searched the internet for anything on this trail.  It lacks, horribly.  I saw I could hike north or drive south.  I hiked north.  The GW isn't all hiking, one can go off highway vehicle style in many areas, hitch a horse, and even drive a car.

I turned in at a rest stop to check my map and sure enough I was 1/4 mile from the trailhead.  I thought about driving up the dirt road however, the first stream crossing looked more like a jeep adventure.  I chose instead to park and hike.

7 stream crossings total as I got on to single track dirt bike territory.  I followed up to Strawberry Ridge.  Thinking, so this is why my Dad likes to hunt around here.  Rolling hills, loads of sage and Aspens, perfect for a big buck.  By the way, he hasn't gotten a deer for a few years.

Knowing this is my first time out this summer, every mile I hike out, I have to come back.  This trail doesn't make any loops. I also kept an eye to the sky.

I stopped for water at Second Water creek.  It was the first good flowing stream in 6 miles.  The meadow looked good for camping.  I headed to Third Water Creek and noticed nothing but hammocking sites.  I'm on the ground this weekend.  I looked at the map, noticing there would not be much ground dwelling sites for 3 or more miles, I doubled back.

At the top of an unnamed rise, I dropped the ruck and took a side trail.  A top the mountain (?) I saw Mt Nebo to the south, Mt Timpanogas to the north, and potential communication towers in between.  My phone was in the ruck, arugh. On my way up I caught a moment glance with a bulk elk in velvet.

I took my time getting to the meadow noted before.  When I did I scoped a spot out and set camp, cleaned up and did some writing.  As I finished my supper of crunchy knorr side garlic noodles with a side of Caribbean spiced tuna, a couple of runners came up the creek.  It's 1 1/2 miles to the nearest road.

Besides a lazy afternoon, I set out a solar panel to recharge a device that goes flat just by looking at it.  This is a small hand held ham radio.  I scanned for any 2 meter contacts then for a radio station.  The first station was Local Satilite Christian radio.  I left it there and enjoyed some older radio worship tunes.

Tomorrow, I'll reverse my direction, put the sandals  (Xeroshoes)for the creek crossings and possibly head south, camping along the road side.

For now, I see a little gold on the hill above and pink in the clouds.  I ready for rain and more so to stretch out to sleep.