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Salt Lake City, UT → Big Sandy Lake, WY 258.9 mi (416.7 km) |
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Let’s hit the trail, everyone!
Boy oh boy, has it ever been a long time since I went backpacking! The last time, I’m pretty sure, was in 2017 when I trekked into Kings Canyon National Park! Needless to say, I was super excited when my brother, Flatty, invited me to join him on a grand quest into Wyoming’s Wind Rivers to view Cirque of the Towers. It would be a long and difficult hike, but after so much COVID, I was ready to get away from civilization for a while!
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Retracing some steps from when I visited Fossil Butte National Monument, we drove from Flatty’s home through Pinedale to the Big Sandy Trailhead, then trekked in almost five miles to set up camp at Big Sandy Lake, a really popular spot for base camping. Along the way, we both noticed two things: tons of mosquitoes and plenty of trail cleanup. That’s because there was a huge, once-in-a-generation wind storm last year with gusts up to 110 miles per hour! I could really tell how this range got named the Wind Rivers! This Labor Day storm had toppled thousands of trees in the Bridger Wilderness, so a three-ranger crew was busy clearing them up and re-routing the trails around the mess!
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Flatty and I spent so much time chatting about everything that had happened since last year’s quarantine together, we didn’t take a lot of photos until we got to Big Sandy Lake, but it was a gently sloped walk without a lot of major hills. That was just fine, because tomorrow would be a much tougher trek! For now, we could take a dip and enjoy the late afternoon light on Big Sandy Mountain and Dogtooth Peak.
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It was a lot easier setting up camp with an extra pair of paws, and there was more than enough room for both of us! Then, we were able to live a little more like beavers: snacking on bark and saplings, going for swims, and chatting with a friendly porcupine who had stepped down to the shore for a drink. I couldn’t tell you the last time I saw a porcupine! I don’t interact with them much. They tend to be prickly characters.
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After only a moment in the wilderness, I’d already started feeling more at ease. With only mosquitoes to bother us instead of news reports, we could kick back and enjoy the fresh air, cool water, and so many stars after sunset!
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This was a good idea, and I’m glad Flatty included me in his adventurous ambitions. Tomorrow, we’ll put our feet to the test for what should be a spectacular hike, so for now, it’s good night!
Rocking off to sleep!
More 2021 Adventures |
Total Ground Covered: 258.9 mi (416.7 km) |
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