Category: Announcement

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UNIQUE eBOOK NOW AVAILABLE

IMPORTANT NOTE TO BUY BOOK: I suggest you choose PayPal as it is the fastest. You don’t have to have a PayPal acct. just click on it, then click on “Create an Account,” and you will be given options for any Credit or Debit card of your choice.

SCROLL DOWN FOR ACCESS TO ALL OF THE HIGH UINTAS NEWSLETTERS, and TO SEE THE INCREDIBLE VARIETY OF INFORMATION IN THE BOOK.

COUNTDOWN TO UINTAS OPENING– SNOW DEPTH ON KEY PASSES
Date: May 1: BALD MT. PASS =  86″  – WOLF CREEK PASS = 46″

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CLOSED — June 20: BALD MT. PASS-32″

OPEN — Monday June 24: BALD MT. PASS- 28″–

NOTE: I MADE AN EXPLORATORY TRIP TODAY AND WILL GET ON MY WEBSITE A REPORT WITH PICTURES LATER TONIGHT (Monday) OR TOMORROW. I’M RIGHT NOW TRYING TO FINISH A YouTube VIDEO TO PROMOTE THE BOOK. ONCE DONE i’LL GET THE PHOTO/REPORT ON THIS WEBSITE, INCLUDING THE STATUS OF THE GRANDVIEW TRAILHEAD.

Snow plowing of the MIRROR LAKE SCENIC BYWAY began Monday-June 17th, and will likely take a week or more before the Scenic Byway is open. and I’ve got to add that the North Slope Rd. for one to do the AUTO-LOOP TOUR, promoted in my book, will likely have at least one difficult stretch, at Elizabeth Pass that is 10,235 ft. high– so best check with the Forest Service in Evanston or the Bear River Ranger station before attempting said road.

The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is still closed –the chance for this week Sat. 6/22 is “very slim,” and most likely will be next week.

NOTE: The elevation of Hades Pass, “Gateway to the Grandaddies” is approximately the same as Bald Mt. Pass–so this pass–closed still– is an indication of accessibility to the Grandaddies from the Grandview Trailhead.

OPEN — June 18: WOLF CREEK PASS =officially with no snow.

The gate for the Hades Canyon Road to the GRANDVIEW TRAILHEAD is open but still only passable to the Splash Dam on Thursday, June 20th. Maybe to the Trailhead inside of a week, but even when the Trailhead is accessible, the trail to Hades Pass and the Grandaddies will be difficult, as attested to by the high runoff engulfing the bridge up from the Trailhead–seen below in 2011 on July 8th– so be patient. Check with the Duchesne Forest Service Ranger Station for current conditions –Tel. 435-738-2482.

The Duchesne River was expected to reach FLOOD STAGE (13.3 feet) by Thursday 6/20 , so the thaw is happening quickly. It is “comparable to June 2011 when the river reached f;ppd stage – 14.4 feet.”

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HIGH UINTAS NEWSLETTERS – beginning on April 19, 2019

4/30/19 1:00PM, 30 minute interview on BYU Radio: CONSTANT WONDER then click on backpacking the Safe Way

BYU Radio’s Marcus Smith interviewing me on the CONSTANT WONDER show

KSL Outdoors podcast 4/20/19 Book announced

KSL Outdoors podcast 4/27/19 Cordell’s report 

KSL Outdoors Radio podcast 5/11/19 Cordell’s report from Promotory Point in 1869

At the 14 minute point I was introduced as having been the only now living who was there for the Golden Spike at Promontory Point 150 years ago….hear what I had to say about it.

I was in studio for the 2 hour show with historic discussions about the “UNSUNG AMERICAN HEROES WITHOUT WHOM THERE WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN A TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD OR WINNING OF THE WEST.”

May 18, 1st segment: 18 minutes introduction–I’m at the 11 minutes point.

May 18, 2nd segment: TIE HACKS “Unsung American Heroes” 20 minutes

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Below is the TABLE OF CONTENTS: History, Legends & Life Saving Stories –
INFORMATION NOT IN ANY ONE BOOK ON THE PLANET

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UPDATING…EATING A BIT OF CROW?…..HANG ON TO SEE

The hope for 2018  was to culminate the  backpacking season–doing the entire 106 mile HIGHLINE TRAIL — not the 76 to 80 mile trail all the guide books are wrong about.

I was to warm up and see if I was ready by doing: 

1.  A 3-4 day backpack up Main Fork, finishing explorations of the tie hackers, and getting to HELL’S HOLE BASIN.

Then, if that went well, do:

2. A 4 day backpack to NATURALIST BASIN…..

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But, complete recovery from my 2017 back surgery…was causing trouble especially going downhill with a backpack….the JOLT causing acute pain.

But, then   3 months of chronic bronchitis  fouled up
the plan.  It  was worse than my 10 surgeries, 2 radiation treatments, and fight  defeating  peripheral nueropathy and matatarsilitis, as I couldn’t keep up my exercise program–and lost almost everything.

I went to work trying to get it back but found it was very slow.
 

When the Uintas thawed out I made an experimental trip to see how the elements of bronchitis, that were still hanging on, affected my problem with High Altitude Sickness, and found it was hurting me.

 

But I was at least trying and learning in my 83rd year, and wasn’t ready yet to have another FOREST GUMP MOMENT.

Then, ahead of schedule, I had a chance to go to the GRANDADDIES with Ted Packard and son Mike.

But, I had to let them go up the trail, leaving me to do it my way….as best I could, and told them to “not worry if you don’t every see me again!”  

That sounded a little shocking, so quickly had to qualify it, meaning….

…..”don’t ever see me again until you come back down the trail on the last day of the backpack!”

My pulmonary capacity was awful and  I had to rest too often, but had to push myself at least a few miles to where I could find water.  I experimented with a new bivy bag I think I mentioned I would use to save 1 lb. of weight, and with the rain that night found IT WAS AWFUL, but I survived the night.  NOTE: The first thing I did on returning to civilization was to give it to Deseret Industries!  I then used my poncho as a lean-to–the mosquitoes at night being no problem as the coolness of the night had them going inactive.

It was a struggle for me, and the JOLTS coming down painful for my back, yet came out of it feeling…

I CAN STILL DO THIS–JUST HAVE TO FOCUS ON CAREFULLY  

STRENGTHENING MY BACK, & DAILY HIKING AROUND TOWN WITH BACKPACK thru ANOTHER WINTER & SPRING. 

WITH 2 A DAY WORKOUTS,  POSITIVE SIGNS FOR ANOTHER COMEBACK ARE ENCOURAGING FOR MY 84th YEAR.

In the meantime all the rest of my time is dedicated to creating the unique book — now with 330 pages finished with stunning color,  incredible history,  believable legends,  life-saving survival stories, and…..
….. guidance for safe & enjoyable–auto, backpacking, horse & goat packing — forays into the
HIGH UINTAS MOUNTAINS
as well as also having complete guides for the Wilderness Area, as well as for the Western and the Eastern Uintas with information none of the present guide books have.

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“The BOOK” & UINTA BACKPACKING PHOTO REPORT FROM 2017 HIRSCHI FAMILY & “MY TRAIL BUDDIES,”

                                                                        Hi Cordell,

We enjoy the newsletter. Thanks for keeping us updated and motivated trying to keep up with you.

Hirschi family here. Met you on Henry Fork Trail last year. Wanted to update you with some photos taken from this season.

This is Isaac on his second ascent of Kings. On the hike in, he remembered exactly where he met you on the trail. He said as we hiked by, “hey, isn’t this where we met our trail buddy”?

Dollar Lake was so crowded we ended up camping high in the basin. We were happy to see a forest ranger at the trailhead teaching Leave No Trace to everyone hiking in for the busy weekend. Way to go Rangers! Thanks for educating and reminding all backcountry users!

Beautiful and empty below Kings Peak.

Spent some time in China Meadows fishing with Grace! Learning how to fly fish.

Different views of Reid’s Peak from Cuberant. We go ice climbing between Baldy and Reid’s.

Fresh Snow hiking on the north slope

It has to be COLD to freeze a river. 6° on the Henry Fork.

Late fall photos from Chepeta Lake

Looking forward to your book.

Regards

Hirschi Family 

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Hey MY LITTLE TRAIL BUDDIES, & parents

 Be in touch your “TRAIL BUDDY…LITTLE ANDY”

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About “THE BOOK?”

I have finished the PREFACE, INTRODUCTION & working on:

The  FORWARD 

First, each Section and Chapter will be prefaced with one page like the following:

HISTORY/LEGENDS & FASCINATING STORIES

THE VERY FIRST LOOP TOUR OF THE UINTAS

Note:  Done in a model T-Ford pulling a wood trailer in 1926

Then, following the 1-page description of that epic journey, comes the 

FORWARD entitled:

“Merrily We Roll Along”

In Our Cars Doing a 500 Mile Loop Tour of the UINTA MOUNTAINS

After that car tour guide showing all the wonderful fascination one can see from a car tour comes the heart of the book in 

Section 1:

 A GUIDE TO THE HIGH UINTAS WILDERNESS,

 followed by:

Section 2:  The WESTERN UINTAS

Section 3:  The EASTERN UINTAS

&

Section 4:  A GUIDE TO LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING & SURVIVAL

Notes & References

Index

 

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HELP FOR THE HIGHLINE TRAIL….FOR WHICH WE ARE PROFOUNDLY GRATEUL!

Scroll down or Click to  return to PREVIOUS POST
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INCREDIBLE HELP FOR THE 
HIGHLINE TRAIL
Following is a wonderful letter from Gordon Hirschi &
The Uinta Basin Back Country Horsemen
From: Gordon Hirschi <braveheartsavenger@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 1:57 PM
To: cordellandersen@hotmail.com
Subject: Highline Trail

Hello Mr. Andersen,
My name Gordon Hirschi I am president of Uinta Basin Back Country Horsemen.
The first year I was voted in as president I talked our group into adopting Trail  025 Highline Trail. I knew it was in bad shape and had not been completely cleared in 15 years when  I googled this trail it recommended the east start stop point as Leidy Peak Trail Head. Three years later we had  marked and cleared this trail from Hwy 191 to Leidy Peak Trail Head. We have also taken on Don Hatch Memorial Trail, Manila Park Trail, and Trout Creek Trail.
Ashley National Forest notified me that you were going to hike across The Highline Trail this summer. I told them that we had cleared it last summer but with the snow load from last winter and this years spring high winds that we needed to gather some back country horsemen and at least remove any trees that are blocking this trail. We started clearing trails about one month ago starting at forest road 021 and Highline Trail I was told Vernal Ranger District Trail Crew had already cleared from Hwy 191 to forest road 02. We have cleared this trail to Summit Park and will have it cleared to Leidy Peak Trail Head by Tuesday Morning. I spoke with some hikers near Lost Park which told me there were some recent blow downs near East Park and we will catch these on our way out.
Now that we have cleared these trails we are working on better signage one of which is Hwy 191 Trail Head.
I hope you have a great trip and we appreciate the credit you have given our chapter on your website. We also maintain a facebook presence at https://www.facebook.com/UBBCH/
Uintah Basin Back Country Horsemen, Vernal, Utah. 501 likes · 39 talking about this. We are a horsemen’s group dedicated to keeping public lands and…
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The HIGHLINE TRAIL….”NOT GIVING UP….EASILY!” First to JEFF LAKE…..

Click below or Scroll Down for PREVIOUS POST
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MAYBE…STILL?
 ¡ THE HIGHLINE TRAIL!
NOTE:  Gordon Hirschi & the Uintah Basin Back Country Horsemen have contacted me about their incredible efforts  to clear the trail from Leidy Peak to Hwy. 191, including improving the signs, which has been so encouraging that I’m seriously re-considering doing the Highline Trail. As soon as I have their permission I’ll post here their letter to me.
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“Not Giving up….easily” 
With a backpack planned for August 10-13 again to the GRANDADDIES, this time with my buddy Ted Packard, and son Mike.  My objective to clean-up my previous failure and ….……FIND & EXPLORE
JEFF LAKE
No SPOT Tracker this time, but will have sat phone from SKYCALL SATELLITE  & report to KSL OUTOORS RADIO on Saturday August 12th.
This will be the final test to determine whether I do the HIGHLINE TRAIL from August 16-31
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To put this into perspective, I quote below the last segment of my previous photo/essay reporting…..
….the discovery of RANGE LAKE
we see below:

The backpack was not easy like it once was, and except for all the wonderful people I met and talked to, the experience wasn’t fun like it used to be…
.…..BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE…I DID DO IT ACTUALLY IN 3 DAYS RATHER THAN 4, so, physically I can still do it….
….. but  I have had to make some serious decisions….since…..
“‘I’M NOT COMPLETELY STUPID!”
My decision is to now focus more on completing the
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY of the Guatemalan Foundation 
and retire that mission at the end of August, and…
…. from now on begin putting this whole project together in the 
“REPORTING” phase I vowed to do in my youth.
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I won’t stop backpacking, as to do so would “have me grow old” which I’m not ready for yet….so there will be an occasional backpack–even this year in August when the mosquitoes are gone, but not the heavy duty schedule I have announced for 2017.
 I will persist working out daily and keep moving….and even work on preparing to run one more time in 
May 2018 the


International Half Marathon in Coban, Guatemala.
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I WILL BE IN TOUCH & CONTINUE TO POST HIGH UINTAS INFORMATION & EVEN REPORTS ON OTHER’S EFFORTS.
I’ll  inform all when the Project is ready for publication.
Thanks for everything….love you all and have you in my prayers!
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UPDATE ON HIGH UINTAS & BACKPACKING

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With information on the thaw, snow depths on Bald Mountain Pass, Opening of key roads, and Passes, etc.
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BEEFING UP MY SPINE….AGAIN, The HIGHLINE TRAIL & BACKPACKING PLANS FOR 2017
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UPDATE July 5th:  COMING….VERY SOON (1 day or less)….
…..REPORT OF 1st BACKPACK…..
Report could be named something like…
“Yes, I’M STUBBORN (or persistent)…but,  IN MY 82nd YEAR I’M NOT COMPLETELY STUPID!”
or 
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you’ve got…..wouldn’t you like to get away…..where everybody knows your name and they’re glad you came?”
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Obviously I survived it & achieved 50% of my goals–batting .500 is incredible.…and due to meeting time after time, after time WONDERFUL PEOPLE ON THE TRAIL….had a great & reflective time…
THANKS TO MANY OF YOU…I LOVE YOU ALL!
I’ll get it done today and show you some BEAUTIFUL FACES  & a few magnificent VISIONS OF NATURE!
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UPDATE – Friday, June 30th
1st backpack- The GRANDADDIES 
GRANDVIEW TRAILHEAD – will sleep at the trailhead Friday night and be on the trail Saturday morning, July 1st.  Will go past Grandaddy, Betsy Lakes, and down to Lost, Powell Lakes and on to Rainbow and will explore Range & Jeffs Lakes and then return to the Trailhead…about 4 days.  If interested you’ll have to keep track of me using the following link:
SPOT TRACKING
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UPDATE – Friday, June 23, 2017
The following report was sent to me a few days ago from the Forest Service:
Hi Cordell: 
The road to the Grandview Trail Head will remain closed through the rest of June and possibly early July due to the ongoing timber sale.
I have a ranger that is checking on the trail that leads from Rock Creek (trail 073 junctions with 078/076) to the Granddaddy Basin as a backup route, I should know more by the end of this week.
And as general information, anyone hiking the trails in the Wilderness can expect trees across the trails, extremely high river crossings (they should not be attempted to cross) and above 10,000 ft. large and deep snow drifts.
If anyone needs further information they can contact the Duchesne Ranger District at 435-738-2482 and we can provide them with the latest information.
Thanks,
Jeff
Forest Service Shield
Jeff Mitchell
Wilderness Ranger
Forest Service
Ashley National Forest, Duchesne Ranger District
85 West Main, P.O. Box 981
Duchesne, UT 84021
www.fs.fed.us USDA LogoForest Service TwitterUSDA Facebook
Caring for the land and serving people
Today, June 23rd, just talked to Jeff who reports:
THE GRANDVIEW TRAILHEAD:  At the earliest it will be open to the public by the end of next week, or let’s say, Saturday, July 1st.
LAKE FORK/MOON LAKE TRAILHEAD:  the trail is open up into the Brown Duck Basin, Tworoose Pass, etc.
UINTA RIVER TRAILHEAD: Apparently it is possible to get up to the Fox Lake area, etc.  I don’t remember him mentioning the Atwood Trail.
ROCK CREEK TRAILHEAD:  Area not recommended yet as river crossings are high and dangerous.  The “La Marla Lake Trail” up into the Grandaddy Basin is being checked out by a Wilderness Ranger.  I will update when getting info.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SPECIFIC AREAS, CALL JEFF AT THE FS.
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MY PLANS:
Due to urgent work I still have to do for the GUATEMALAN FOUNDATION, & with my family, my backpacking will begin–if all goes well–by driving to the Grandview Trailhead on Friday, June 30th, sleep in my car to begin the necessary process (for this old guy in his 82nd year) of acclimatization, and hopefully on Saturday, July 1st–if getting to the Grandview Trailhead is possible, early around 6:15-25,   air my report on KSL OUTDOORS RADIO–using the satelitte phone from SKYCALL SATELLITE, then  head up the Grandaddy Trail.  I will update all of this on Friday morning June 30th, and include the link for my
 SPOT TRACKER.
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MY WARM-UP  BACKPACKS TENTATIVELY ARE:
1.  GRANDADDIES:  down past Lost & Powell Lakes, to pick up two missed, RANGE & JEFF  LAKES & if all goes well,  swing up to Pine Island Lake, and back past Fish Hatchery, Betsy & Grandaddy Lakes:   30+ miles, 4 days. NOTE: Date depending on conditions  in June, in other words, the thaw.

2.  MIDDLE FORK BEAVER CREEK:  Will explore Beaver, Coffin & other lakes, & will climb Thompson Pass, leaving 2 passes to go to achieve all 22 in the Wilderness.  30 miles 5 days.

3.  FROM EAST FORK OF BLACKS FORK TRAILHEAD:  To Little East Fork of Blacks Fork and   UPPER ALPINE/ABOVE TIMBERLINE LAKES.  20 miles, 4 days.

4.  TWOROOSE PASS (with which only North Pole Pass remains) from the Lake Fork Trailhead up to the  Brown Duck Basin, Pass, & lakes.  35 miles, 6 days.

All of this is in preparation for doing the entire HIGHLINE TRAIL, from near Flaming Gorge to Mirror Lake, in August.
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Scheduled DREAMS for 2017 (82nd year) Combining with it the ENTIRE HIGHLINE TRAIL…IF MY “ANTI-AGING CHALLENGE” formula keeps doing its MIRACLE!

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YouTube video (silent) ROCK CANYON & CONQUERING SQUAW PEAK…..The Weekly HEAVY DUTY WORKOUT for week of Sept. 25-30th & DAILY WORKOUT WINS MORE FRIENDS!

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WHAT’S WITH THE SILENCE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS?
This old guy is still working out twice daily with incredible High Uinta plans for  next  summer….all resulting from the successful backpack to “Little Andy Lake”  summer  2016.  Me hiking around town every day  with a tough looking backpack loaded with rocks and water filled bottles, no matter what the weather, is  even getting a little out of hand with rumors circulating in my area….“that old guy is likely one of the three Nephites!”  Mormons will get that, otherwise maybe Googling it will turn up something, but it is all a lot of fun……..

 
FUND RAISING
ON MY DAILY HIKE WITH PACK
Seeing me on the streets of American Fork, people stop and ask, “Are you alright?”  Guess I must look pretty bad! Some offer me money, and I tell them I’m not a homeless old guy, just an eccentric millionaire out getting his exercise, but some don’t believe me and insist on making a donation. I give them my two business cards so they can see that they’re helping the 
High Uintas Wilderness Project, and the GUATEMALAN FOUNDATION!

OPPS….A GLITCH!
Below are my enthusiastic plans for 2017, but as I have pushed my daily training–especially the jogging to do the race mentioned below, my back surgery from 2012 for a pinched nerve has been failing me and the sciatic nerve down the back of my left leg started giving me pain…..so in a few days the determination will be made about a possible surgery…but it will have to be  quick, as I’m not about to give up easily  on the challenges outlined below!
But in general my Anti-Aging Challenge formula is 

working so well  the following is the dream for 2017–at 81+ or in my 82nd year:


Scheduled backpacks for Summer 2017
1.  GRANDADDIES:  down past Lost & Powell Lakes, to pick up two missed, RANGE & JEFF LAKES & if all goes well will swing up to Pine Island Lake, and back past Fish Hatchery, Betsy & Grandaddy Lakes:   30+ miles, 4 days. NOTE: Depending on  conditions done in June
2.  MIDDLE FORK BEAVER CREEK:  Will explore Beaver, Coffin & other lakes, & will climb Thompson Pass, leaving 2 to go to achieve all 22 in the Wilderness.  30 miles 5 days.
3.  From E. Fk Blacks Fk Trailhead:  To Little East Fork of Blacks Fork and   UPPER ALPINE/ABOVE TIMBERLINE LAKES.  20 miles, 4 days.
4.  TWOROOSE PASS (with which only North Pole Pass remains) from the Lake Fork Trailhead up to the  Brown Duck Basin, Pass, & lakes.  35 miles, 6 days.
5.  HENRY’S FORK, PAINTER BASIN in late July & early August, to visit again Little Andy Lake–taking time to get better pictures, Trail Rider Pass, Beard Lake, George Beard Basin, and in Henry’s fork Cliff, Castle & other Lakes. 50 miles, 8-9  days.

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IMPORTANT
Keep an eye on this website as summer approaches for more details, and  get my  link to  the SPOT Personal Satellite Tracker , which I go nowhere without, and  follow my progress, & make sure and listen every Saturday morning to hear my satellite phone reports on  Tim Hughes’ KSL OUTDOORS RADIO, program. 
Satellite phone acquired from Russ Smith & SKYCALL SATELLITE, where you can get yours for your outdoor adventures.
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THEN…….Originally Scheduled for Summer 2018 in my 83rd year–now changed to August 2017

THE FAMOUS HIGHLINE TRAIL
 It follows the spine of the High Uinta Mountains we see above

To crown my High Uintas Project, I want to do the entire HIGHLINE TRAIL–  inaugurating  hopefully new signs the Forest Service by then should have installed on the eastern end, we see below near Flaming Gorge .  There is only a generic  sign on the highway, and the pitiful one we see below where the trail begins at around 8,000 feet, and heads west for approximately 100 miles ending on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway at 10,378 ft. elevation–no register, no distance signs, etc.


Along those 100 miles I will make  a few sidetrips–including items which were 
to be done  in the list of “original 2017 backpacks”  most importantly, North Pole Pass,  Garfield Basin upper lakes, Oweep Basin lakes, & Crater Lake–(seen in the 1st picture) to get that “perfect picture” I have mentioned many times, and also will finally get back to Continent & Reconnaissance Lakes & others, ending at the western end of the HIGHLINE TRAIL on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway seen below. 


A few years ago I did a series of 14 topographical maps outlining the Trail with the intention of doing it–then came 2012 when I wasn’t able to do any backpacks and was resigning myself to being a cripple!   
But  I kept working, tweaked my anti-aging formula, and with a miracle hip replacement–WAS BORN AGAIN!   
I will do the normal 97-106 miles of the Highline Trail, plus approximately 20 extra miles for a total of around 126 miles in about 14  days–no re-supply.  
Hopefully, after all the warm-up backpacks, I’ll be in better shape and hurry through the initial long stretches of less interest, and even do other side-trips.

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IN  A FEW DAYS I’LL POST A PHOTO/ESSAY OF MY RECENT ROAD TRIP TO THE EASTERN BEGINNING OF THE HIGHLINE TRAIL….this is part of my effort to encourage the Forest Service to put up signs on the eastern end worthy of this great trail!
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I   REPEAT…….two items….
 KEYS TO YOUR FAMILY’S PEACE OF MIND & MAYBE YOUR SURVIVAL:
Keep an eye on my website as summer approaches to get my  link to  the SPOT Personal Satellite Tracker , which I go nowhere without, and  follow my progress & make sure and listen every Saturday morning to hear my satellite phone reports on  Tim Hughes’ KSL OUTDOORS RADIO, program. 
Satellite phone acquired from Russ Smith & SKYCALL SATELLITE, where you can get yours for your outdoor adventures.
  A sat phone has saved my life & may yours too!
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THE FUTURE AFTER SUMMER 2017?
I have learned  being 80+ I begin aging and going down-hill noticeably if I stop relatively heavy duty exercise daily (“heavy duty” for an 80+ year old guy).…and to motivate me to do so  during the long Fall-Winter-Spring off-season I need to have…..

STIMULATING GOALS TO WORK TOWARDS

I have in my mind what they will be for 2018, but will take first things first, and work on the above goals….with a preliminary one  that will help me achieve the others, which is:  To run again, THE INTERNATIONAL HALF-MARATHON IN COBAN, GUATEMALA in May 2017 and likely be, the oldest to get to the finish line…
So, every day, no matter what the weather I do a little hike around a couple of big blocks, with my 35 pound backpack, and 6 days a week exercise and jog at American Fork’s Fitness Center-–
–that is free for 80 year olders.
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Giving the youth a run for their money!
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AND, IF I DON’T MAKE ALL MY GOALS?
I CAN HANDLE THAT–and eat a little crow, KNOWING THAT IF I DIDN’T SET ANY GOALS I LIKELY WOULDN’T DO MUCH TO EVEN KEEP ALIVE & MOVING.  
All the work of preparing will be
“the CAKE” 
& KEEP ME HEALTHY & STRONG,
& achieving some or all of the  goals will  be the 
 “FROSTING ON THE CAKE!”
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THEN I’LL SET NEW ONES FOR 2018 
& KEEP MOVING!
I’m not interested in any other option!

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Backpack #3-2016 HENRY’S FK to GUNSIGHT PASS to “LITTLE ANDY LAKE” then to GEORGE BEARD BASIN, and back to HENRY’S FORK BASIN

Click for:  Previous 
Including:  The precautions I will take in addition to the sat phone, and the SPOT Tracker
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“Little Andy’s Olympics”
Backpack #3-2016 Aug. 21-30 On the HIGH UINTAS North Slope
HENRY’S FORK TRAILHEAD (9,426 elevation) To Gunsight Pass (11,803 ft.) >U-76 lk (11,482 ft)>U-75 lk (11,402 ft)
>“Little Andy Lake”–The Uintas highest lake at 12,302 ft.>U-74 Beard Lk (11,745 ft)>Trail Rider Pass (11,780 ft)
 >George Beard Basin: Geo.Beard Lk (11,420 ft), U-19 (11,420 ft), U-20  (11,417 ft), U-22 (11,430 ft)>
Back to Henry’s Fk Basin> G-98 lake (11,208 ft)>Cliff  Lk (11,443 ft), Blanchard Lk (11,164 ft) , Castle Lk (11,363 ft.), etc.
Note: All 12 lakes are above 11,000 ft. timberline
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SPOT  Satellite Tracker link: SPOT
MADE IT!  Photo report under construction…..in the meantime listen to my report on 
KSL OUTDOORS RADIO

Photo taken by new High Uinta Friend, John Sowell, at the Highline Trail east of Kings Peak, with Gunsight Pass in the background.  John, seen below was doing the entire  106 mile Highline Trail from Highway 191 between Vernal & Flaming Gorge to the western end on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway.


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NOW TO THE GIANT TASK OF PUTTING TOGETHER THIS WHOLE PROJECT IN A UNIQUE BOOK 
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CHECK OUT THE  SPECIAL FACEBOOK PAGE:   

 Cordell Andersen Photography, and the STORE, 
where many of my photographs from the High Uintas are available. If you don’t see in the STORE what interests you, but find it in the Photography,  or in one of my trip reports, let me know and I’ll advise the site manager to get it there. 
YOU NEED  A TOUCH OF BEAUTY IN YOUR HOME LIKE THE FOLLOWING THAT MY DAUGHTER MAHANA PLANS ON HAVING AS HER 2nd HIGH UINTAS SCENE DECORATING HER APARTMENT  AS SEEN BELOW

“Sunset over Milk Lake”
or a similar one a few minutes earlier as seen  below…


The photograph, printed on canvas, already purchased by my daughter, Mahana, is seen below decorating her living room


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Posted on

Summer 2916: HIGH UINTAS ACCESS REPORT….updated daily!

NOTE:  None of the photographs  can be used  without written permission from Cordell Andersen.  
EMAIL:  cordellandersen@hotmail.com

You should all be aware of special Facebook Page: 

 Cordell Andersen Photography, and the STORE, 
where many of my photographs from the High Uintas are available. 

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SCROLL TO THE END to see a brief report on
The Coban International Half Marathon

HIGH UINTAS ACCESSIBILITY UPDATE

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BACKPACK #1-2016
 June 24-28:  GRANDVIEW TRAILHEAD 
To Grandaddy Lake, Fern Lake, Shadow Lake, Powell Lake & others in vicinity
SPOT TRACKER LINK: 
Photo/Essay Report under construction 
…..give me an hour…..

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Update:  Sunday, June 19, 2016
FROM MIKE SLATER TODAY

Hello Cordell, just wanted to give you report on our weekend trip into the Granddaddy Lakes basin. My wife Ronda and daughters Janelle and Amber were able to make it with me to Granddaddy Lake without getting our feet wet. There was snow on the trail particularly once you got to Hades pass (attached photo of my wife) where there was snow that we had to step around or walk through. We had to look around a little to find places to camp out of the snow. We did not go past Granddaddy Lake so I'm not certain what is beyond there but again the majority of the snow, as is typical this time of the year was just coming down the north side of Hades pass but was very doable. By this coming weekend it should be very open. No ice on Heart or Granddaddy Lake but as you can see there is snow around the lake and in the basin. Over the night the temperature probably got down to around 35. Once again we had anexcellent trip, love getting up there. Take care and hope to see you on the trail, Mike




Wednesday, June 15One friend, Mike Slater & family, plan on attempting a backpack on Thursday, June 16 & will report….

Monday, June 13, 2016
Email from Sheila at the Forest Service in Duchesne

You can now access the Grandview Trail Head, but still a lot of snow at the pass and in the Basin. The lakes are still frozen over. In  most areas the snow line is around 10500 in elevation, anywhere higher than that expect post holing. Our trail crew and wilderness rangers have reported very high river crossings, so not recommended. Expect 3 feet of snow on  most wilderness passes at 12,000 feet. Trail crews have just begun clearing downed trees on accessible trails. If folks still want to backpack in, please advise them on conditions and to be extra cautious on campsite selection due to potential of falling hazard trees.

 If any of you have questions please call….

If any of you have questions please call,  

Sheila L Harper, Customer Service Representative, 

p: 435-738-2482 x5200
f: 435-781-5215
sharper02@fs.fed.us

FOREST SERVICE

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Friday, June 10th
Grand View Trailhead:   
The road is now open to the trailhead, but there is snow on the trail 
SEND ME A REPORT IF YOU MAKE IT, WITH A PICTURE OR TWO.
NEW REPORT…evening Friday, June 10th
John Lawton just emailed me the following message regarding the Grandaddy Trail:

6/10/16 The trail is pretty clear the first half mile with only patches of snow cover here and there. Half way up the trail to the pass, the snow starts to get pretty thick with 1ft of coverage over the trail being pretty common. Up at the pass there are still 3ft drifts covering parts of the trail on the south facing part of the pass and lots of water running down the trail. I didn’t hike down too the lakes, but Grand Daddy and Heart are still frozen. The small pond at the pass is starting to thaw. Even with lots of snow there are patches of rocks and dirt exposed at the top of the pass and its melting fast. Attached some pics that you can use.
John Lawton

A MILLION THANKS…JOHN
DAILY SNOW DEPTH UPDATINGS:
                                                        6/5/16     6/15/16
BALD MT. PASS: 10767 ft….=31″……=19″

NOTE:  All areas previously reported now at basically -0-
On Saturday, June 4th I explored:
WOLF CREEK PASS–NORTH FORK OF THE DUCHESNE RIVER
and THE GRAND VIEW TRAILHEAD “Gateway to the GRANDADDIES”
Then…….
THE MIRROR LAKE SCENIC BYWAY–BALD MT. PASS–
and THE HIGHLINE TRAILHEAD.
A few photos of the trip follow, most of which are self explanatory:

NEW INFORMATION TODAY, June 7th, FROM FOREST SERVICE:
ACCESS TO SOUTH SLOPE TRAILHEADS: Rock Creek, Lake Fork/Moon Lake, Yellowstone/Swift Creek, Uinta River, Whiterocks…..all reachable, but streams running very high, with snow above 10,000 ft.  More info on Friday, or when advised by Forest Service.
Along the way…..just had to get a shot or two of this unique outdoor lover and his special kind of tough exercise machine!
 

Have to admire the guy…..but backpacking is still my preference!


Of course I just couldn’t resist inserting the beauty of one of the early bloomers….Western blue flax,  Linum perenne


 Wolf Creek Pass has  been open for about a month or more


The North Fork of the Duchesne River on the Defa Dude Ranch road….
SPLASH DAM collapsed…..it would have never worked anyway–to wash logs down the rugged canyon with two many snags along the way.
What remains of the lake.

Clossed due to “snow,”  but not much in sight,  so I suspect it won’t be long before being opened to the Trailhead.  I’ll investigate with the Forest Service and post an update here on Monday, June 6th. 
NOW TO THE ……..
MIRROR LAKE SCENIC BYWAY

FIRST STOP….always at the PROVO RIVER FALLS, which
is a raging stream with the shirt-sleeve warm weather melting the snow rapidly!


The lakes along the highway have ice breaking up quickly…above looking north towards Mt. Watson….and below turning around and looking south..
Bald Mountain Pass still with around 24′ of snow.

The panorama a little further along shows quite a bit of snow from Hayden Peak on the left, to Mt. Agassiz.

Above the east side of Mt. Baldy…..and below we see through the trees Mirror Lake still iced over, but it will go quickly with our continued hot weather.
Below, Pass Lake………
……..as we begin the climb up to Butterfly Lake and Hayden Pass.

Butterfly Lake…..above.
On Hayden Pass and the entrance to the famous HIGHLINE TRAIL, there are still a couple of feet of snow, so it will likely be 2-3 weeks before we can head east on the trail.

My bet, is on the GRANDADDY TRAIL from the Grand View Trailhead–in no longer than two weeks…….even the road to that trailhead likely open within a week, but with a wet trail to Hades Pass and to the Grandaddies.  My plan is to head to the Grandaddies first on June 25th for a 4-5 day backpack….to start getting in shape for my big objective:  “LITTLE ANDY LAKE” in July.
Posted on

YouTube video: PREPARE FOR BACKPACKING, D-DAY, Into the Wilderness, SPOT Tracker link….


UPDATE June 23, 2015:  I achieved my purposes on the Grandaddy Trip getting to the last remote lake & others completing my photo collection of all the lakes in the Basin, and meeting many new wonderful High Uinta Friends….plus having one of those amazing survival experiences and of course photographing many new VISIONS OF NATURE I want to share with all.   
I’ll be working on for me an “epic” photo/essay (& then YouTube video) combining the trip with a documentary including all the lakes which I’ll entitle….. 
 THE GRANDADDIES
Note:  Be patient it will take me a few days….remember my excuse….
…..”I’m an old geezer in my 80th year with top speed… my ‘stalking pace!'”
YouTube video: PREPARING FOR HIGH UINTAS BACKPACKING  
June 6th “D-DAY”
I had to do my part celebrating this incredible day–and the GREAT INVASION AT NORMANDY..
..without it and its success the world today would likely be a very different place!
  Thanks for those incredible heroes…..and since I’ll be now disappearing  (another “D-day”) from civilization for nearly a month…had to do my part to celebrate….
For all previous posts CLICK ON:  

D-day (“Departure day”)
I think I’ve got taken care of all the loose ends to be gone until June 30th, and will leave today (Sat. June 6th) for the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway and Bald Mt. Pass or the parking lot of the Highline Trailhead–likely alternating back and forth for a week to acclimatize my old ( but  hopefully “youthfull”) body to high altitudes, as that has been a problem in recent years at the beginning of the backpacking season.
I will hit my SPOT Tracker when leaving American Fork, and tonight wherever I get to with my tiny travel trailer, and maybe another time or two, until
June 11th when I will leave for the Grandview Trailhead to see some friends I haven’t seen in more than 50 years.
In that area I will go to where I can have internet access, in Hanna or Tabiona, and program my Tracker for my first backpack.  If conditions are right that will be into the Grandaddy Basin.  If not, further east where there was less snowfall.
If interested click here:   SPOT LINK 

My first satellite phone call report to KSL OUTDOORS RADIO will be June 13 from somewhere..between 6:05-8:00 AM…likely after the news at 7:00.

THE “GRANDADDIES” & GRANDADDY LAKE–the Uintas largest
In the background from the left:  Mt. Baldy, Hayden Peak, Mt. Agassiz, Spread Eagle Mountain, etc.