Kings Peak Day #1 - 7/25/12

A couple of months ago I sent out an email to all of my buddies asking if anyone wanted to wander into the wilderness and summit Kings Peak with me.  5 hardy souls relented to my constant badgering and came with me.  The story is that last summer I went on the 50 miler with our scout troop.  Bad news, there was too much snow blocking the trail on one of the more dangerous passes.  I was thwarted.  I really wanted to check it off my list and I thought it would be a cool opportunity to do a 40th birthday trip.  Think "City Slickers"  So off we went.

Players in the game: Andrew "eddie" Burt, John Spencer, Geoff Shehan, Robert Marsh, Chad Dunford and myself. 

It is a little bit of a drive.  We stuffed 6 full grown men and 6 packs into Chads Yukon and were off.  Johnny and Geoff got the shaft of having to sit in the way back.  We put Andrew in the middle seat to minimize whining.  We would get plenty of that on the trail.

We arrived at China Meadows trail head.  Last year when I opened the door and got out of the car I was literally swarmed with bugs.  This year.  Nothing.  I did not get one bug bite for the entire trip.  I guess a benefit of a dry year. 

Pre-hike group shot so they could identify the bodies.

 
Off hiking.  Smiles.  Notice we are 30 paces from the car. 


First rest stop.  Everyone getting their pack legs on.

Wilderness is cool.

Action photo.

This is the first view of Red Castle.  This is quickly becoming one of my favorite places.  It is a totally unique mountain in the middle of the Uinta Wilderness.

Johnny with Red Castle in the back.

Lower Red Castle Lake.  Camp site one.

 After 10 miles of hiking, we were happy to get to camp, get set up and listen to the quiet.

Chad and I lugged our fishing stuff up. Chad is a fisherman, I am not.

Group shot.  When the sun goes down it gets cold. 

Look! They match. 

Bear bags hanging in the trees.

Self portrait.  Red jacket, Red Castle.

One of the best parts of the Uinta's is the light.  It changes rapidly and is very cool. 

Day 1: No one died.  Everyone had fun.  Whew.

#4 Millvue Peak - 7/21/12

A simple update. I ran up Milvue Peak.  You start at the "Elbow" in Millcreek Canyon at the Mt. Aire trail head.  The trail splits, you go to Lambs Canyon Pass.  What I am finding is that on my Wasatch Mountain Club topo map any trail that is marked with "H" for "Historic" = Bushwack.  I am good with that.  Makes me feel like I am taking the road less traveled. 

 A nice shot heading up the non "historic" trail to Lambs Canyon Pass.  I love Aspen stands.

  

One of the genetic traits that I picked up from my grandfather Homer is that I like to take pictures of butterflies and flowers.  Weird, I know.  I think Homer took a picture of every flower he ever came across.  He was a fantastic photographer.  It has been great running in Millcreek.  There have been thousands of butterflies.  As you run down the trail, they come up all around you.  Pretty cool.  These stood still long enough for me to snap a photo.

Orange Butterfly

 

Black and White Butterflys

View looking NW.  Mt Aire on the right of the picture.

Approaching the summit.  Wildflowers in full bloom.

Proof. 8,926 feet.

Carin at the summit.

I figured out that the reason they call it Milvue is that it looks right down the center of Millcreek Canyon.