07-14-2011, 12:06 AM
I need some help from the experts of this forum.
I am leading a 50-miler with some Las Vegas Boy Scouts planned for July 24-30 in the High Uintas. I have done lots of these before (with great results) but we have usually been able to start on the north slope and come over the crest, typically into the upper Rock Creek basin, and then end up in the Grandaddy Basin to end the week. As we all know, the north-to-south passes may not open at all this year, certainly not by July 24.
My back-up plan was to go in at Moon Lake and hike around Brown Duck Mountain, through Squaw Basin and down Rock Creek. As of today, I have learned from the Rangers that the entire Brown Duck basin is essentially under water (meadows are lakes, trails are streams, etc.). There is no way to keep kids dry in those conditions.
The recommendation from the Duchesne District is to go east, to the Yellowstone, Uinta or Whiterocks drainage, as the east did not get as much snow as the western drainages and is drying out a bit better. I don't really know anything about the basins east of the Lake Fork drainage.
Anybody have experience with a 50-mile route through the eastern Uintas that they would be willing to share? These will be 14-18 year olds, who are good hikers and gentlemen, but beginning fishermen. Ideas?
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I am leading a 50-miler with some Las Vegas Boy Scouts planned for July 24-30 in the High Uintas. I have done lots of these before (with great results) but we have usually been able to start on the north slope and come over the crest, typically into the upper Rock Creek basin, and then end up in the Grandaddy Basin to end the week. As we all know, the north-to-south passes may not open at all this year, certainly not by July 24.
My back-up plan was to go in at Moon Lake and hike around Brown Duck Mountain, through Squaw Basin and down Rock Creek. As of today, I have learned from the Rangers that the entire Brown Duck basin is essentially under water (meadows are lakes, trails are streams, etc.). There is no way to keep kids dry in those conditions.
The recommendation from the Duchesne District is to go east, to the Yellowstone, Uinta or Whiterocks drainage, as the east did not get as much snow as the western drainages and is drying out a bit better. I don't really know anything about the basins east of the Lake Fork drainage.
Anybody have experience with a 50-mile route through the eastern Uintas that they would be willing to share? These will be 14-18 year olds, who are good hikers and gentlemen, but beginning fishermen. Ideas?
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] This has been the worst Winter/Spring for anyone that's into backpacking the Uintas. I'll be hiking the western half, and am planning on seeing a little snow. It doesn't hamper the hiking too much, as long as it isn't icy or slick. I'll be sure to post pictures of the conditions when I get back.
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