BACKPACKING FINALLY! ENJOY IT SAFELY — GET THE BOOK NOW AT $19.95, still a steal with 1,600 color photographs and 120 maps–106 of them topographical to guide you to all the lakes of the Uintas. The other 14 maps will guide you on the 856 mile AUTO LOOP TOUR, or portions of it.

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 the Credit or Debit card of your choice..

THUMB DRIVES WITH THE BOOK — available for $25 — shipping, handling & sales tax included:

Send check to Cordell Andersen at 444 Elm St., American Fork, Utah 84003

Russ Smith from SKYCALL SATELLITE hosting KSL OUTDOORS RADIO this morning.

Click for podcast: KSL OUTDOORS RADIO July 6: Russ Smith at the 5:00 minute point tells a funny story about Charlie Jennings in which I was involved, he then plugs the eBook telling an interesting experience with a woman from Texas, purchaser of my book that led her to him for a satellite phone for her dream trip to Red Castle. I then call in towards the end of the segment to participate in the conversation.

Scroll down to access the HIGH UINTAS NEWSLETTER of your choice

Click below to see a short YouTube video : A great Introduction to the unique digital book

NOW OPEN

HADES CANYON & THE GRANDVIEW TRAILHEAD

“GATEWAY TO THE GRANDADDIES”

When the gate was opened there were 10 cars waiting to get to the Trailhead. Monday a Wilderness Ranger hiked through the snow to the Grandaddies, and found the lakes free of snow and fishable. There are a few trees and lots of water on the trail. Many are heading for the high country.

For guidance & suggestions, see my YouTube video on “THE GRANDADDIES”

Apparently, this year will not be as bad as in 2011 when on July 8th we could get to the Trailhead, but the trail bridge, up from the trailhead, on that day was as seen below.

You can also call the Forest Service in Duchesne to check on conditions.  Their telephone is (435)-738-2482.

OTHER UPDATING FROM THE FOREST SERVICE IN DUCHESNE:

Other trailheads are accessible on the South Slope, such as Rock Creek, Lake Fork/Moon Lake, Swift Creek and the Uinta River. Even the highest trailhead–10,400 ft. elevation– in the Uintas, THE CENTER PARK TRAILHEAD, up Hell’s Canyon is open, but there is water everywhere so be careful.

The crews of Wilderness Rangers will now be able to go to work clearing the trails.

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BALD MOUNTAIN PASS

Open since the weekend – pictures below on Monday,June 24, 2019

 The Pass is  10,759 feet high–about the same as Hades Pass, “Gateway to the Grandaddies.”

 Hayden Peak & Mt. Agassiz and area where the Duchesne River is born.Mirror Lake, elevation 10,050 ft.,  was still covered with ice–but beginning to break up, Grandaddy Lake is about 10,300 ft. still covered with ice.

CONFESSION:  Please forgive me, but I just noticed that I goofed and missed in my book Mirror Lake. Wow!  It likely isn’t the only flaw, but–like they say, “Nobody is perfect!” Please let me know of other mistakes so that I will come closer to perfection in edition 2.  

CANCEL THE CONFESSION: I did include Mirror Lake but did not include it in the area covered by the Mirror Lake Trailhead that was the last segment of the Wilderness Area. Rather I included Mirror Lake as part of the Western Uintas including in the Index.

 The HIGHLINE TRAILHEAD at Hayden Pass, 10,380 ft. high, Monday June 24th.

The short road in to the Trailhead was still buried in snow. Even though the weather in Salt Lake City is heating up, with 90+ degrees this week, it likely will still be a cou[ple of weeks before hiking the Highline Trail comfortably–like mid-July.

THE NORTH SLOPE SCENIC BACKWAY
A few days ago there was a problem at Elizabeth Pass, but that has now been worked out and the road is open to the east.

The Provo River falls on June 24th–yesterday.  It will quickly become a raging torrent of water as the thaw picks up steam.

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HIGH UINTAS NEWSLETTER – beginning on April 19, 2019

HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE TRAIL OR ON AN ADVENTUROUS BACKWAY SOON!

IMPORTANT NOTE: I just found a website that gives a complete SUMMARY–from my old website– OF MY 3 EFFORTS TO FINALLY GET TO “LITTLE ANDY LAKE,” meeting Teresa who screamed, “NO, YOU’RE DEAD,” the meeting of Jake Hirschi & kids & more.   To go to it- click on: LITTLE ANDY LAKE, I’M DEAD? & JAKE & KIDS

“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

 

ACTIVITY ENDING AUGUST & September 16, 2017 UPDATE ON HIGHLINE TRAIL

UPDATE:  Activity from August 27-31 ,  2017

FOR THE BOOK I DID RESEARCH & EXPLORATIONS ALL AROUND THE FRINGES OF THE HIGH UINTA MOUNTAINS & mostly out of cell phone signal contact areas–for example Hacking Lake, you see below…..


…. the Leidy Peak Highline Trail seen below


Then below– looking 26 miles to the east towards the very beginning of the Highline  Trail near U.S. Highway 191

Which 26 miles section has been cleared of deadfall as indicated in their sign at the Leidy Peak point, and at the far eastern beginning of the trail–
THANKS TO THESE GREAT GUYS FOR THEIR WORK!
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UPDATE:  Saturday, September 16, 2017

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HIGHLINE TRAIL BACKPACK?

If you have followed my two 2017 backpacks to the GRANDADDY BASIN & discovery of Range & Jeff Lakes, you will have noticed that they were difficult and not as enjoyable as in previous years–that had me conclude that a long, at least two week backpack doing the entire HIGHLINE TRAIL from Mirror Lake to Flaming Gorge would be a difficult challenge in my 82nd year….so–while continuing my recovery from back surgery– for this year I sort of …..…..threw in the towel!   But, as I have admitte
“I’m stubborn,” so the more I think about it, the more I have in the back of my mind that I will likely yet figure out a way to:
 
Do it during the 2018 season, in my 83rd year.
But, as crazy as it might seem to some of you, one critical factor will be 

TO DO IT ALONE & BE ABLE TO DO IT MY WAY, AT MY PACE, 

RATHER THAN BE PRESSURED TO KEEP UP WITH OTHERS, 

WEAR MYSELF OUT & BE SORT OF MISERABLE! 

At my pace I can cover a lot of ground--even slowly-- by getting a good start and keep at it  all day.

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That GOAL will have me persist working out, wandering around town with a pack on my back–all Winter–recovering completely from my recent back surgery, watching  my weight, eating good and carefully take my miracle supplements & actually working  towards being in better shape for 2018 than I was for 2017!

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Daily Update: MIRROR LAKE SCENIC BYWAY Access & SNOW DEPTH on BALD MT. PASS — GLITCH SOLVED — SPINE BEEFED UP — THE HIGHLINE TRAIL — PROPOSED BACKPACKS FOR 2017

Click for PREVIOUS POST
Click below for:  

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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BALD MOUNTAIN PASS & MIRROR LAKE SCENIC BYWAY
This area’s opening status is a great gauge for the beginning of backpacking in the Uintas – the Highline Trail in the same area & the altitude about the same as the “Gateway to the Grandaddies” at Hades Pass.
SNOW DEPTH – Temp. at 5:00 pm – BALD MOUNTAIN PASS – 10,759 ft.
– status MIRROR LAKE SCENIC BYWAY – 

June 2 
EXPLORATION OF MIRROR lAKE SCENIC BYWAY & PHOTO REPORT
June 1 – 58″ – closed – 41 degrees F.
May 31 – 59″ – closed – 54 degrees F.
May 30 – 61.6″ – closed – 53 degrees F.
May 29 – 64″ – closed – 47 degrees F.
May 28 – 65″ – closed – 48 degrees F. 
May 27 – 68″ – closed – 40 degrees F.
NOTE:  On Friday, May 26th I talked to Brenda at the Forest Service office in Kamas who reports that they are  “working on clearing drifts from 6′ to 12′ deep, but some key equipment broke down and work has been suspended.  It will be about 2 weeks before the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is open.”   
I suspect that it will likely be sooner, depending on the thaw, and will update every day & keep working on getting in shape for the 1st backpack into the Grandaddies.
May 25 – 70″ – closed – 40 degrees F.
May 24 – 71″ – closed – 50 degrees F.
May 23 – 74″ – closed – 49 degrees F.
May 22 – 77″ – closed – 40 degrees F.
May 21 – 79″ – closed – 34 degrees F.
May 20 – 77″ – closed – 34 degrees F.
May 19 – 79″ – closed – 24 degrees F.
May 18 – 81″ – closed –  23 degrees F.
May 17 – 81″ –  closed – 20 degrees F.
May 16 – 75″ – closed
May 15 – 75″ – closed
May 14 – 78″ – closed
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May 17
WOLF CREEK PASS IS NOW OPEN
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UPDATE MARCH 27th
GLITCH!….NOW SOLVED,..95%?
The previous post has  my enthusiastic plans for 2017– BUT HERE UPDATED  added on at the end of the UPDATED photo/essay on the HIGHLINE TRAIL, 

On Monday, March 13, 2017, Dr. C. William Bacon of the Sports Medicine &  Orthopedic Clinic in Orem, Utah extended the fusion of vertebrates 4 & 5, to include #6. 

In the left frontal view, you can also see my titanium hip

  Recovery today at 2 weeks is surprising the medical community, nonetheless, there will be no International Half Marathon in Guatemala until May 2018.   Today,  March 27th,  my walking routine has stretched to 3 miles, including an occasional careful jog crossing streets to avoid being run over–and joyfully no pain is experienced in the left leg, which previous pain started this new episode in my 81st year.  Distances will continue to increase. By May 13th, a light backpack will be included in the routine,  beginning with 20 lbs. and each day will be added to, May 24 the weight to 36 lbs, and will continue until backpacking begins.  Short jogs, without backpack, will also be done every other day, along with all kinds of exercises 

So for 2017, I’ll concentrate on the High Uintas Project, and of course, keep the Guatemalan Foundation going to the end of August..to complete our GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY YEAR ...hoping some donors will give in 5 months what they normally do in 12!

http://www.guatemalanfoundation.org/

THE BACKPACKING SEASON FOR 2017?

Utah’s record snowfall will undoubtedly affect backpacking, as was the case in 2011 when backpacking in the High Uintas wasn’t possible until mid-July.  This likely will force modifications in my scheduled backpacks, at least one of them being added to doing the entire HIGHLINE TRAIL in August, beginning at the eastern end near Flaming Gorge and finishing at the Trailhead on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway!
Other than this  back glitch, my Anti-Aging Challenge formula is 
working so well  the modified list of backpacks at the end of this post is the dream for 2017–at 81+ or in my 82nd year:
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NOTE:  By the way, if you don’t know about the Dinovite potential and its amazing qualities for solving all our nutritional, longevity and mental problems, check them out at the end of my ANTI-AGING CHALLENGE article on my website.
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Following is the slightly modified post on:
THE FAMOUS HIGHLINE TRAIL
Many have seen the Trailhead sign along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, under Hayden Peak, as the highway is about to descend towards Wyoming.  It is located at 10,378 ft. and from here heads east.

At the WESTERN HIGHLINE TRAILHEAD there is a nice area for horse packers with restrooms, and a parking lot for backpackers with Restrooms and water, where this nice sign and register are found.  

Down the trail, a bit, and here and there along the trail are found signs to guide hikers venturing into the Wilderness Area.

The HIGHLINE TRAIL is easily the most famous trail in the Uintas, most of it from its well-known Trailhead pictured here at Hayden Pass on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway and from here it heads east following the spine of the High Uinta Mountains over 8 above timberline passes.   It is usually thought that it ends about 80 miles to the east on the slopes of Leidy Peak, where there is a trailhead above Hacking Lake. 

But, that’s not where it ends or starts.  It rather has its beginning around 26 miles more to the east along U.S. Highway 191 that starts at Vernal and heads north to Flaming Gorge Dam and continues north into Wyoming. Below I’ll insert a labeled Google Earth view of the High Uinta Mountain Range showing the Western & Eastern HIGHLINE TRAILHEADS, plus most of the rivers and creeks that flow from the Uintas where 90% of Utah’s water is produced.
click on image to enlarge
The light colored areas are the above timberline areas & peaks
As we are seeing, the Uintas begin at Kamas, Utah on the west, and end about 150 miles to the east at the Green River.  It is the only major mountain range in the lower 48 states to be oriented east to west.
 That EASTERN HIGHLINE TRAILHEAD 
will be the focus of this photo/essay, but first, let’s understand a little better the subject of “TRAILHEADS” & “SIGNS”  in the  Uinta Mountains.

These kinds of signs are common all around the Wilderness area, here on the Uinta River.

Even nicer ones are found in some areas like what many of us call
“THE GATEWAY TO THE GRANDADDIES,”
seeing here the entrance to the parking lot………
…….and nice signs giving adventurers all the information they need for a great outdoor experience.
Just past the register,  as the trail begins, we find appreciated information on how far we have to hike to get to whatever our destination might be in the Basin.
Even years ago up the trail from the Grandview Trailhead, at Hades Pass,  when it was just the 
HIGH UINTAS PRIMITIVE AREA,
 this great sign seen above told us about the wonders we were about to see (1954).
But, it disappeared many years ago and is sorely missed!
In 2003, when I began my HIGH UINTAS WILDERNESS PROJECT, this great sign was still in the Grandaddies, between Grandaddy & Betsy Lakes, but on the ground and I had to prop it up for this picture….but it is of course now gone.

THE FAR EASTERN END….or BEGINNING
From Vernal, Utah the highway climbs into the eastern end of the High Uinta Mountains, and at 28 miles from Vernal, one reaches the pass, seen below, approximately 2,300 feet lower than Bald Mountain Pass on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, near the Western Highline Trailhead.

At this point, we have traveled 186 miles from American Fork, Utah and the Wasatch Front.  Most of the traffic zeros in on The Flaming Gorge Recreation Area, just a few miles further north.
But, what we are looking for is the Eastern end of  or the beginning of,
 THE HIGHLINE TRAIL.  
At a low point 3 miles down from the Pass, and just beyond the Interpretive  Display, we find a simple generic sign indicating that off to the west on a dirt road there is a trail, but, WHAT TRAIL?



Shortly we come to a small sign with little detail. We have found…..
.
….THE EASTERN END OF THE 
GREAT HIGHLINE TRAIL


No really pertinent information.  
No register.  No mileage signs.  No hint of where it goes.   Only a faded, worn out map!

It seems like a humiliating beginning for what is a GREAT TRAIL.
SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE!
COME ON FOREST SERVICE–LET’S GET SOME NICE SIGNS FOR THIS GREAT 

I hiked down the trail, well worn by the blessed ATV’s, to see if there was a sign, any kind of sign, but there were just the expected Forest Service markers you see here



And a very old blaze on a couple of trees, plus some newer ones.


 There were signs of road/trail work, and a bridge over what I believe is Carter Creek.



Along with efforts to keep the ATVs from ruining everything.



NO MILEAGE SIGNS WERE FOUND!
My topographical maps indicate that the trail heads up this draw, eventually going through the thick forest and over that low saddle to the west.

NOTE:  After first being advised that the eastern end of the trail was nearly impassable with deadfall, good news came from new High Uinta Friend, John Parker who emailed me, saying:
Cordell, I hope to see you on the Uinta Highline between Aug 15 and Sept 15. Those are the target for my hike of the Highline this year.

Good news for you! The trail between Hwy 191 and Leidy Peak was adopted a couple years back by the Uintah Basin Back Country Horsemen. They have cleared and maintained that first 20+ miles as a service project. My understanding is that it’s not impassable but now nicely maintained. Still, need good navigation skills but not a mess.


John Parker

FOREST SERVICE CONTACT
Later I was contacted by Rhett Burkman, from the Forest Service Vernal office, and advised that the trail had been cleared by the Backcountry Horsementhat trail signs have a habit of disappearing on this section of trail” and he would make sure they check the trail as soon as they have access. 

ALL GREAT NEWS FOR THIS 80+ YEARS OLDER, AS “DEADFALL” IS REALLY HARD FOR ME!  


Let’s insert again our Google Earth view to help visualize the wonderful Uinta Mountains we are talking about.
The light colored areas are the above timberline areas & peaks

click to enlarge image 
From the Eastern Trailhead, seen above on the right, the trail gradually–over 26 miles, climbs from 8,000 ft. to  Leidy Peak where it is above the 11,000 ft. timberline. From there it follows the spine of the Uinta Range for 80 miles traversing rugged alpine terrain as seen below, climbing 8 passes all over 11,00o ft., 3 of which are over 12,000.   12,600 ft. Anderson Pass being the highest near Kings Peak, Utah’s highest at 13,528 ft. 

PUTTING INTO PERSPECTIVE THE PASSES...
…more than half of the 8 passes are higher than the summit of Mt. Timpanogos that is dwarfed by the High Uinta peaks!
 The elevation profile high points are said passes, the profile showing the ups and downs of the 106-mile distance between trailheads, the western one near Mirror Lake at 10,378 ft.  


The trail only dips a few times below timberline.


In 2016 as I was on my way to finally get to Little Andy Lake, Utah’s highest at 12,302 ft.,  I met  John Sowell, from Colorado,  and had a great conversation as he was doing the entire HIGHLINE TRAIL coming from the east.


I told him about my plan years ago to do it too, even having printed a series of 14 topographical maps for the adventure, but then a glitch ambushed me and it looked like I would have to get used to being a cripple.   Then I told him of the miracle that had me without pain for the first time in 30 years, with at that moment being on the verge of what I was thinking would be my last adventure–getting to my lake.

But since meeting him, and being so pumped up for having finally got to Little Andy Lake, I’m now training for the best summer of backpacking of my life–in my 82nd year, the crowning trip being in August  backpacking the entire
HIGHLINE TRAIL FROM EAST TO WEST!
Thanks, John, for inspiring me!

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Scheduled backpacks for Summer 2017
Note:  Depending on the thaw
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 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.
****************************************************
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 SATELLITEwhere 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 CROWNING BACKPACK OF THE 
HIGH UINTAS WILDERNESS PROJECT

BACKPACKING 
THE FAMOUS HIGHLINE TRAIL


On this approximately 14 day backpack, I will take some detours to explore other areas critical to my project, such as:


   Another visit to Little Andy Lake–taking the time to get better pictures,  and continuing the detour to Trail Rider Pass, Beard Lake, & George Beard Basin,
Next, the unexplored lakes in the Upper Garfield Basin, others in the Oweep Drainage, plus very importantly, Crater Lake you see below and others.

I will attempt one more time to realize a goal of getting the perfect photograph of this incredibly beautiful scene–CRATER LAKE, the deepest in the Uintas at 147 ft. The plan is to get up on the saddle to the north so I can look down on the lake and with a fish-eye lens photograph it with Explorer Peak in the background.

  

Approximately 136 miles.

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EXPLORING THE BUCKLEY MOUNTAIN PIONEER TIMBER SLIDE….THE 1ST SLIDE IN 1853

SCROLL DOWN FOR BUCKLEY MT. EXPLORATION
PREVIOUS POSTS:

*THE ASSAULT ON “LITTLE ANDY LAKE”

*PIONEER TIMBER SLIDES:  Slide Canyon to top of Slide Mountain

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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. 

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UPDATE September 29, 2016:
Since my last heavy duty backpack in the High Uintas,  I revealed my SECRET SIX SUPPLEMENTS, that I have done my best to show  how  they effectively help me meet my goal of (sort of tongue in cheek….but SERIOUS BUSINESS!):  
“BEING 80+, LOOKING LIKE 60, BEHAVING LIKE 30, & WEIGHING LIKE WHEN 20!”
Note:  They are listed towards the end of the 
  Doing this has  boosted me to a higher level I never thought possible for an old guy!  I hope & pray that a few can be blessed by all of this, just as I have been.  
Hope to meet you on the trail…..
Cordell M Andersen

FOR DETAILS GO TO ARTICLE ON MY WEBSITE and GEAR/SUPPLEMENTS
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September 20, 2016
EXPLORING TODAY THE BUCKLEY MOUNTAIN TIMBER SLIDE…. 
& FINISH WHAT I STARTED IN 2014 WHEN AFTER A MILE OR SO REALIZED I WAS SICK WITH “SHINGLES” & HAD TO RETREAT TO CIVILIZATION
THE FIRST TIMBER SLIDE AUTHORIZED
I quote  information that comes from 


“The Utah County Court Minutes, from February through July 1853.”

“Early in 1853, Alfred Walton, Jerome Benson, and a Mr. Wilson received permission from the Utah County Court to build a timber slide down the canyon located between the two peaks rising south of Slate Canyon.  This slide would be located conveniently between Provo and Springville.  In order for the grant to be valid the company had to build the slide during the coming season.  If the men constructed the slide, they could control it and have jurisdiction over the timber on the mountain above it..”  

This permission was granted first, for the area known as Buckley Mountain that has two peaks, with a ravine separating the higher on the north from the lower on the south–located between Provo & Springville, Utah.  So via Google Earth from the Y Mt./Slide Canyon/Mt. area east of Provo, we fly south to Buckley Mountain.

Driving south along the Wasatch Front in Utah, you  get on the old highway between Provo and Springville, Utah, driving along the two Buckley Mountain peaks where the first timber slide was constructed.

The yellow arrows point at the slide pathway which can be seen in the following views during different seasons of the year.

Here seeing the lower end  near where the lumber products were loaded into wagons in the area seen below from Google Earth
the pathway  right here V
Most of the roadways and excavations seen in this view are from more modern times. The “V” in the above caption points to the pioneer slide pathway that angles across the picture and ends in a sort of triangle shaped area.

The slide pathway is very visible from the highway, going up the right side of the draw, seen above in late Fall & early Winter.

Below, we see it in two photographs in early Fall.  This is not a hiking trail as I assumed for many years, rather the pathway of the timber slide created in 1853….163 years ago.
It appears that the slide pathway began at the rock outcrop in the left upper corner of the photograph below, or ends there as we go up.


Below follow Google Earth views showing a series of images from the bottom  up to the rock outcrop.



The SPOT Tracking icon is where I got to in 2014 when I realized I was sick with shingles  and had to turn back….fueled by PROTEIN PLUS!  
The slide pathway ends in the shadows of the rock outcrop.

September 20, 2016
WE BEGIN THE NEW EFFORT
Looking down from my parking place between Provo & Springville
AGAIN,  BETTER PREPARED TO FOLLOW THE
TIMBER SLIDE PATHWAY
With elk skin gloves and long sleeved shirt to protect me from the heavy vegetation, which, as I have mentioned is worse than any jungle I’ve ever encountered in Guatemala.

From this spot, halfway up the foothills, taking me above the quarries along the highway, there is a game trail that takes me up to the beginning of the timber slide pathway.



In the above photo the pathway angles diagonally across the picture.

The valley is smokey due to several forest fires in the mountains up Spanish Fork Canyon.

All of a sudden the sound of helicopters passing overhead has me looking up and seeing three of them heading for the fires.

Those who know me, realize that you will be blessed by me sharing  a few of my
VISIONS OF NATURE along the way.



There are many of such VISIONS !




I”m now up the first steep climb….and climbing up always, here through a grassy area where on the ground the pathway is quite noticeable, but not visible in the picture.

Looking back to keep us in touch with where we are.

Again into the very visible pathway going up through the scrub oak & maple jungle….

……and from the same spot looking down.
As I struggled up….and it was a lot steeper than these picture show, I began realizing that just two days rest since my difficult ascent up the Slide Canyon Timber slide, maybe wasn’t enough, and I began thinking of perhaps turning back….but short rest stops had me pressing on.


It was at about this spot that I ran out of food and water as I had in my mind that this was to be a quick, short hike.  But it was turning into a bit more than that for an old 80 year old and I decided I’d best turn back.

But, again, after a bit of rest decided to just go a little further to get a better view of where I was.
All the unique rock formations are on the north side of the ravine.

That little further” had come into view the rock outcroppings where I knew the slide pathway started, or ended.

So I pressed on to reach my goal.



All of a sudden I reached the area where on Google Earth views I could see small  cleared spaces  in the area where timber products were brought  from up higher, and loaded into the slide,  “trough” or “chute.”
It was in this area where I hoped to find artifacts, even though by now I was coming to understand that, over 160 years of time most wood remnants would have likely rotted away.  
We weren’t dealing here with the kind of tropical wood we had in Guatemala that literally lasted for even thousands of years in Mayan ruins–and which wood we used in areas like Chulac, mentioned in my previous post, to make outhouse floors that wouldn’t rot.

I fought my way through the scrub oak and maple  to find the cleared spaces, looking for artifacts.


And, finally found ONE!  You see it below, a very rusty artifact.  

 I did, as I have tried to do with tie hacker artifacts, leaving them in place  for scientific examination. In this case it’s not likely that any archaeologist will ever go up that mountain, and so I should have brought it home to preserve and examine carefully….and maybe will go get it one of these days. 
Did tin cans exist in the time of the timber slides?

THE HISTORY OF TIN CANS
It began in France in 1795 when Napoleon Bonaparte offered a reward for someone inventing a method of preserving food for his military forces.  Finally, in 1809, Nicolas Appert won the reward developing the sterilization method of preserving foods, but using glass bottles.  A year later in England, Peter Durand patented the tin can for preserving food.  By 1847-49 machines were patented in the U.S. for making tin cans speeding up the process from 5-6/hour to 50-60/hour, and preserved foods grew in popularity.  By 1866 an improved method of sealing the cans was patented. 

So in the time of the Pioneer Timber Slides, tin cans existed.  Whether my find was from then, who knows…..but,  since the slides,  nothing else much has happened in that area to have a rusty tin can be there.
IN THE MEANTIME….ONE CONCLUSION:
Those who worked up on Buckley Mountain were pretty good at abiding by LAW #1:
“LEAVE NO TRACE!”  

Below are views of VISIONS OF NATURE taken from the rock outcropping where the timber slide pathway ended……


Looking to the north

Looking to the south

Swinging down a little to the southwest

Looking down where I had come from….and now had to head down……

…….and zooming in on my car that I had to get to for food and water!
Down I go, looking back to the northeast, and showing below a 2014 exploration picture at  one of the previously shown  rock outcroppings.
Below is shown the Google Earth SPOT TRACKER view of the exploration, with #6 slightly mistaken showing I was on the north side of the ravine–which never happened.
Last of all we are seeing a view of the lower end of the slide pathway that curves across  the picture where the lumber products were loaded into wagons and hauled to build Springville.


Last of all I quote again the ending from the previous post:
Large logs as well as small ans [ones] would run with great rapidity….We would often start timbers at the top end of the slide an[d] it would run the entire [way to the] loading place with out a stop.”  
Then quoting the journal of a John C. Dowdle,   who wrote:   [It worked] admirably as far as tried.”  John and his brother  Robert, worked on the construction of the slide, harvested logs to be used as fuel and lumber, and slide them down the chute. Since lumbermen used the slide mainly in the winter, they labored under unfavorable working conditions.  Dowdle said at times the snow was from two to eight feet deep on the mountain.  Alexander P. Chesley, who helped cut and slide the timber, lived in such destitution that he had to wrap his feet in  burlap sacking in place of shoes.  Working in these dire circumstances presented at least one advantage.  Dowdle wrote, ‘By laboring in this manner during the winter we made a tolarable good living.'”  p.133

My admiration for the pioneers grew exponentially once more, and I am filled with gratitude for the work and sacrifices they made to help make possible so many blessings we now enjoy–and we in turn  should in our own way focus some of our energies also on making the world a better place for others.


NOTE:  The historical references I have quoted are pretty much all that exists so far, mostly coming from D. Robert Carter’s two books pictured below.



The last SPOT TRACKING line from the Buckley Mountain timber slide 
HEADED DIRECTLY FOR WHAT I NEEDED MOST:
McDONALDS 
near the Provo City Mall.
*********************************************************

SLIDE MT/CANYON PIONEER TIMBER SLIDE EXPLORATION Sept. 17, 2016 & UCLA cheerleaders at the Y Casting A Spell on the BYU Football Team

PREVIOUS POST:

THE ASSAULT ON “LITTLE ANDY LAKE” near MOUNT JEDEDIAH, and being ABUNDANTLY BLESSED WHILE HOPEFULLY BLESSING OTHERS! & the ACID TEST OF MY RESOLVE TO “NEVER GIVE IN….EASILY!”

****************************
UPDATE:  Sept. 20, 2016, 5:30-6:00
Since successfully clawing my way up the Slide Canyon timber “chute”  to the launch site, my legs have been sorer–especially my thighs–than I ever remember in my whole life, but now have to build on that & with good weather still will:
EXPLORE TODAY THE BUCKLEY MOUNTAIN TIMBER SLIDE…. 
& FINISH WHAT I STARTED IN 2014 WHEN AFTER A MILE OR SO REALIZED I WAS SICK WITH “SHINGLES” & HAD TO RETREAT TO CIVILIZATION
SPOT TRACKER

TOUGH….BUT MADE IT…REPORT UNDER CONSTRUCTION
As you can see I again went prepared to protect my arms and hands from the jungles of scrub oak, maple & other underbrush…worse than any jungles in Guatemala, and, you can’t see it in this shot, but I also had on my hip my Colt .45 Defender, as I’d seen fresh  cougar signs on previous explorations up Buckley Mountain….nothing encountered this time.
*****************************
PIONEER TIMBER SLIDES:
 Slide Canyon to top of Slide Mountain
& UCLA Cheerleaders?
This project started back in 2014, first to get me in shape for High Uinta backpacking, and then after backpacking,   keep me in shape & investigate a fascinating, and courageous effort by the pioneers mostly unknown
among present day residents.


It began on researching the history of Provo, Utah.


 In this article I  noticed one simple phrase
that awakened my curiosity.


“Slide Canyon,” between Y & Maple Mountains east of Provo, and a visible pathway coming down the Canyon, and another down the face of what we always called Maple Mountain, all of a sudden came alive in my mind and sparked my curiosity.  Further research taught me that the pioneers called the front part of Maple Mountain, “Slide Mountain.”


Eventually that  Spring, early Summer, and Fall, I made 8 exploratory trips of discovery into the mountains and began posting on my website photo/essays of those adventures….and a couple of them were very literally 
“bloody survival adventures.”

That effort established me on GOOGLE as the “expert,” or maybe more correctly “the only person in the world” interested in PIONEER TIMBER SLIDES & associated me with children’s play apparatuses of the Pioneer brand!


By the end of the 2014 hiking season I put it all together in one 47 minute long
YouTube video that was & is quite historic.  The title page seen below……
 You can access this historic report clicking on:
  YouTube  video HEROIC 1853 PIONEER TIMBER SLIDES:  The Making of Provo/Springville
There is also a Photo/Essay  covering the same information, but with text where you can see the quotes & photographs
*****************************
NOW TO THE 2016 SEPTEMBER EXPLORATION
Below is a close-up of the area showing with the arrow the top of Slide Mountain, and roughly the two timber slides that were launched from there. 

 The one on the left that goes down into Eagle Pass and then down Slide Canyon is the focus of this exploration–particularly the portion that goes from the ravine up to the top of Slide Mountain.  The lower portion is reported on in the mentioned YouTube video.

On September 17, 2016, at 9:30 AM I began my hike up the Y Trail, and you will notice that for me these experiences, especially in popular areas like Y Mountain, it was also a wonderful social experience, observing the many who make this great hike, many with their families.

The Y area has become the property of Brigham Young University and the trail and area is being improved by BYU as you will notice….the one needed thing missing WATER FOUNTAINS! …..
…. maybe a Hot Dog & Refreshment Center


Meet KIMBERLY & WILLIS PUEBLO and family




Evelyn, Dallin, Mason, Olivia, Willis & Kimberly




UPDATE:  Reply from Kimberly & Willis Pueblo, Monday Sept. 19

Hi Cordell!
      Way to go on achieving your purpose and making it to the top of Slide mountain! When my mother called to ask me how our hike went, and to check on how my knees were feeling (I have really bad knees), I told her how you were up there hiking at age 80 and she was so impressed, as were Willis and I! Keep it up! 
      We checked out pictures of you and Little Andy Lake and did a little reading on your site. It looks like you are a man who has had many adventures!
      Thank you for the pictures! I did get one picture with you in it, as I was documenting our daughter trying to get out of the backpack carrier. I wish I would have taken a better one of you. 
      Mason’s team did win their soccer game. It was a pretty exciting game. That is so sweet of you to remember.
Good luck on your journey!
Kimberly and the Pueblo Crew
THANKS, KIMBERLY, for the nice message and photo…
.I FINALLY GOT INTO MY REPORT!

BUT  THE PHOTO SHOWS WHY IN MY 
YOUTH I WAS NICKNAMED
“LITTLE ANDY”
GUESS IT’S THE ANGLE,  BUT I LOOK LIKE A MIDGET OR WILLIS IS A GOLIATH!

&
CONGRATULATIONS, MASON, FOR YOUR WIN!
***********************************
THE EXCURSION TO THE Y IS A MUST FOR EVERYONE

THE BEGINNING IN UTAH VALLEY

In 1847, when the pioneers led by Brigham Young came into the Wasatch Front, there was some consideration given to settle in Utah Valley.  The area had been visited in 1776 by Fathers Escalante and Domingues who had established in their short visit a good relationship with the Timpanogos-Ute Indians.  The Utes of Colorado called the Timp-Utes, “THE FISH EATERS,” due to much of their diet coming from the abundant fish (“speckled trout,” and suckers) from the clear waters of the streams flowing  from the mountains, and the then clear water of Utah Lake.   

These Catholic explorers named the valley,

“The Valley of Our Lady of Mercy of Timpanogos,” 


and in a letter to the King of Spain, said, it was….


“….the most pleasing, beautiful, and fertile site in New Spain.”


The priests promised the Indians they would return and establish here a Catholic Mission.  Can you imagine how different the history of Utah would have been if they had of done so?   
But they never returned.

Taking a “selfie” with the background:
“The Valley of Our Lady of Mercy of Timpanogos,” 


UCLA cheerleaders (or fans) made the hike too and with
a few cheers cast a spell upon the BYU football team….


…….for the evening game!


NOW, UP THE TRAIL TOWARDS EAGLE PASS…
….with Slide Mountain ahead & above  us.

“Hey, do you speak KEKCHI?”
was the surprising question of a tall young man, with his girl friend hiking up the trail, and passing me.

They wondered what an old guy like me was doing climbing a mountain, and in the conversation I mentioned of course the “Timber Slide” thing, but that previously I had lived and worked for 35 years in Guatemala….which had him asking about the main dialect from the Alta Verapaz area of Guatemala.
Nine years before he had been an LDS missionary in the Polochic/Chulac area where  back in 1976-79 I had been involved in getting missionary work going in that area….and then in 1990-92 built and operated 2 schools in Chulac as the Field Director of the GUATEMALAN FOUNDATION.
http://www.guatemalanfoundation.org/

There he is way up the trail in Eagle Pass, and below
a zoomed in shot of him.  
I gave them my card and hope they email me so I can send them these pictures, and add them to my long list of “High Uinta Friends.” 



Now up the trail through Eagle Pass.  Below is a shot down into the ravine showing the pathway of the timber slide which is a bit up out of the ravine. This picture shows clearly the steepness of the terrain our pioneers worked in and did miracles!


From here in Eagle Pass the slide went down the canyon to the foothills.  I’ll insert a picture below from here showing it going down the canyon.


The launch site for the slide was up there on the top of Slide Mountain where I hoped to get to on this exploration.


Looking down from Eagle Pass at Utah Valley.

Now up the trail….



I’m getting up the ravine where looking across to the south we can see the area where the pioneer timber slide came down from the top of the mountain.

In the picture above…do you see the pathway coming down from the pines?
It is now 12:47 and taken me 3:15 hours to get here….a bit slow, but what with all the socializing, and needed rest stops for an old 80 year old…not too bad!

It will take me around 4:00  hours to find a way down into the ravine, up the other side just a little to find the old trail used by the pioneers, and then the pathway, that began the difficult task of clawing, and crawling, and dragging myself up the steep slide pathway we see with the arrows.

But as I was preparing to go down into the ravine, I heard voices from the pathway area, and zoomed into see a couple!
WHAT!  SOMEONE HAD BEATEN ME TO THE PATHWAY!


I then watched them leave the pathway, and work themselves to the right.


An overall view indicated they were heading for a cave on the right.  They likely didn’t have any idea about the pioneer timber slide pathway they had used.


The young lady sat down at the cave to adjust her boots, and then continued catching up with her boyfriend.


They soon disappeared from sight and I went back to my task.


I soon found the trail that is slightly visible here and there from Google Earth views.  

It’s hard to distinguish with so much scrub oak, maple and other underbrush, and is a trail that actually hasn’t been used for 150 years. The view above is looking up the canyon, the one below looking down.


Among other things I was looking for artefacts from the slide.  The task was difficult with a carpet of leaves on top of 150 years of erosion and deterioration.


I followed it up a ways, taking pictures ahead of me and behind, but finally decided to go back down, and then leave the trail struggling through the jungle of brush to find the slide pathway.



Here it is, looking up towards the pines….although it’s difficult, if not impossible to recognize  because of all the vegetation….that by the way was MUCH WORSE THAN ANY TREK I EVER TOOK THROUGH THE JUNGLES OF GUATEMALA!

Below we are looking down the pathway, with the valley in view.  
It is now 2:43 PM.

Now 2:56 a ways up the pathway, looking down into the ravine.

Below is pictured one of the few items we could call “artifacts.”  This entire, very steep and remote area is where people just don’t come and go, so a piece of wood like this found here is not a coincidence.  A few of these pieces of wood were found, cut with an ax,  about 6″ in diameter, that must have been support pieces for the slide.
 The “slide” sometimes was called a “chute”  “.. consisted[ing] of small logs on the bottom and large logs on each side, making a sort of trough”   p. 133.
“Workmen finished the timber slide down Slide Mountain in November.  George A. Smith informed the editor of the Deseret News that the two-mile-long timber slide ran from the top of the mountain to the foothills below. ”   p.133
Large logs as well as small ans [ones] would run with great rapidity….We would often start timbers at the top end of the slide an[d] it would run the entire [way to the] loading place with out a stop.”  

From the journal of John C. Dowdle,  we find a little detail, one reference saying, it worked admirably as far as tried.”  John and his brother  Robert, worked on the construction of the slide, harvested logs to be used as fuel and lumber, and slide them down the “chute.”  p.133

The information quoted above comes from two historical books by D. Robert Carter, 

 FOUNDING FORT UTAH FROM FORT TO VILLAGE: 

At 3:33 PM we look down the slide or chute pathway,
 and below look from this spot across the canyon at the south side of Y Mountain.


The struggle up the slide pathway didn’t get any easier, forcing my way through jungles of underbrush, but which I used to grab onto to pull myself upward.  
Previous explorations, such as reviewed in the YouTube video, and also in a Photo/Essay where you can see many historical quotes, showed that the adventures sometime became quite bloody as being “thin skinned” seems to be my lot in recent years.  Below are a couple of pictures from the 2014 explorations!














But this time I went better prepared with a long sleeved shirt, and my elk skin gloves, so no blood except on my shins.

REACHED THE TOP OF SLIDE MOUNTAIN
Made it by 5:37 and took a needed rest & lunch stop, and got a shot of Y Mountain’s south side.

WHAT DID I LEARN?
I did find a number of pieces of old, mostly rotted wood, cut with an ax.  I was hoping for more, but we’re dealing with a slide or chute made  in the 1853-60 period, around 160 years ago, and as I learned with the tie hackers on the Uinta’s North Slope, stumps from the 1867-1880 period were almost always completely rotted away.  So I was lucky to find at least a few pieces, likely braces.  I was hoping to find square nails, as I did in my tie hacker explorations, but so far nothing.  Note:  If you don’t know who the tie hackers were, go to my website where I have around 14 photo/essays and YouTube videos on said “unsung heroes who helped win the West!”  
SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO WOOD OVER TIME

I’ll insert below tie hacker stumps from the 1867-80 period.  Said stumps, 140-50 years old,  are almost completely rooted away.  Wood from the timber slide period are around 160 years old, and even more likely to be rotted away than the stumps from the tie hackers, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that little or nothing can be found. 

WHAT I DID LEARN:  
The nearly total fatigue I felt just trying to follow the slide pathway, showed me clearly that the pioneers were tough as nails to have been able to actually build a timber slide out of logs in very rough, steep country, and then go up there daily to cut timber they likely drug to the launch sites with horses or oxen, then…I repeat what was quoted previously from Mr. Carter’s books:

Large logs as well as small ans [ones] would run with great rapidity….We would often start timbers at the top end of the slide an[d] it would run the entire [way to the] loading place with out a stop.”  
Then quoting the journal of a John C. Dowdle,   who wrote:   [It worked] admirably as far as tried.”  John and his brother  Robert, worked on the construction of the slide, harvested logs to be used as fuel and lumber, and slide them down the chute. Since lumbermen used the slide mainly in the winter, they labored under unfavorable working conditions.  Dowdle said at times the snow was from two to eight feet deep on the mountain.  Alexander P. Chesley, who helped cut and slide the timber, lived in such destitution that he had to wrap his feet in  burlap sacking in place of shoes.  Working in these dire circumstances presented at least one advantage.  Dowdle wrote, ‘By laboring in this manner during the winter we made a tolarable good living.'”  p.133

My admiration for the pioneers grew exponentially once more, and I am filled with gratitude for the work and sacrifices they made to help make possible so many blessings we now enjoy–and we in turn  should in our own way focus some of our energies also on making the world a better place for others.

NOW TO GET HOME BEFORE DARK
NOTE:  I of course went prepared with basic survival items:  My SPOT tracker, headlamp with fresh batteries, weatherproof matches, a good pocket knife, and smart phone, plus a little extra food and water.By 5:55  I was on my way down to Maple Flats and passed by the ruins of this cabin discovcred on previous explorations in 2014.



As I was about to leave Maple Flats, and look for the trail down into the canyon, got a last shot of Y Mountain, showing the small depression behind the highest point, and the 2nd crest to the east.



The little used trail is a bit tricky to find, as there are game trails all over, but if you find it you will soon find the only spring in the entire area.  The old corroded  pipe is just barely seen on the left, disquised by moss and vegetation.

Here is a close-up of the pipe, with just a trickle of water still flowing…actually a drip.


Once down in the canyon and the meadows, by about 7:00 PM, I take another rest/eat stop.  If you are interested in hiking from here up to Maple Flats, let me help you find the trail by inserting a picture from previous years showing where it takes off.

Coming up the trail you get to the first meadow, and you will notice a well defined trail to the right taking you  20 yards or so to the spot you see below.

The trail takes off to the right of the large rock….with my little pile of rocks on top so you won’t go wrong.


By 7:30 PM I was a bit below where I crossed the ravine, and we are looking up at the area where the slide comes down into the canyon. 

 #1 marks the spot where the chute came up to the top of Slide Mountain.  #2 points down a bit to the launch site for the slide that goes down the front of the mountain.  Both pathways shown again in the shot below.  


By 7:50 I was between Eagle Pass and the Y and the sun set over 
“The Valley of Our Lady of Mercy of Timpanogos,”
“….the most pleasing, beautiful, and fertile site in New Spain.”

Soon I arrived at the Y and once again took a rest/eat stop that I needed pretty bad as my legs were getting pretty rubbery!  

I watched the Lavell Edwards Stadium fill up with people for the BYU vs UCLA game and could actually hear and understand some of what was on the PA system….in spite of my hearing which is the one body part that is in such bad shape that I find myself avoiding group social gatherings!

By 8:16 the game was about to start and I was tuned in with my tiny Apple square thingy, and hoped that listening to something interesting would help me make it to the parking lot in the dark–the trail sort of visible with the lights from Provo.

So I took a last shot of the Valley focusing on the LDS Temple at the mouth of Rock Canyon where in my youth I had great success hunting cottontail rabbits–as well as many other cherished adventures, and headed down the trail, grateful for having mostly achieved my purpose….and more than anything else………

……….EXPERIENCING A GREATLY ENHANCED APPRECIATION  FOR WHAT OUR PIONEERS DID SO WE COULD BE SO BLESSED TODAY….
….AND LITERALLY IN AWE AS I CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE HOW THEY COULD HAVE DONE WHAT THEY DID TO HELP BUILD PROVO, UTAH.
************************
Next up:
Finishing my exploration of the 1st Pioneer Timber Slide, which was on Buckley Mountain, between Provo & Springville
*********************

SLIDE MT/CANYON PIONEER TIMBER SLIDE EXPLORATION Sept. 17, 2016 & UCLA cheerleaders at the Y Casting A Spell on the BYU Football Team

PREVIOUS POST:

THE ASSAULT ON “LITTLE ANDY LAKE” near MOUNT JEDEDIAH, and being ABUNDANTLY BLESSED WHILE HOPEFULLY BLESSING OTHERS! & the ACID TEST OF MY RESOLVE TO “NEVER GIVE IN….EASILY!”

****************************
UPDATE:  Sept. 20, 2016, 5:30-6:00
Since successfully clawing my way up the Slide Canyon timber “chute”  to the launch site, my legs have been sorer–especially my thighs–than I ever remember in my whole life, but now have to build on that & with good weather still will:
EXPLORE TODAY THE BUCKLEY MOUNTAIN TIMBER SLIDE 
& FINISH WHAT I STARTED IN 2014 WHEN AFTER A MILE OR SO REALIZED I WAS SICK WITH “SHINGLES” & HAD TO RETREAT TO CIVILIZATION
SPOT TRACKER

TOUGH….BUT MADE IT…
REPORT UNDER CONSTRUCTION
*****************************
PIONEER TIMBER SLIDES:
 Slide Canyon to top of Slide Mountain
& UCLA Cheerleaders?
This project started back in 2014, first to get me in shape for High Uinta backpacking, and then after backpacking,   keep me in shape & investigate a fascinating, and courageous effort by the pioneers mostly unknown
among present day residents.


It began on researching the history of Provo, Utah.


 In this article I  noticed one simple phrase
that awakened my curiosity.


“Slide Canyon,” between Y & Maple Mountains east of Provo, and a visible pathway coming down the Canyon, and another down the face of what we always called Maple Mountain, all of a sudden came alive in my mind and sparked my curiosity.  Further research taught me that the pioneers called the front part of Maple Mountain, “Slide Mountain.”


Eventually that  Spring, early Summer, and Fall, I made 8 exploratory trips of discovery into the mountains and began posting on my website photo/essays of those adventures….and a couple of them were very literally 
“bloody survival adventures.”

That effort established me on GOOGLE as the “expert,” or maybe more correctly “the only person in the world” interested in PIONEER TIMBER SLIDES & associated me with children’s play apparatuses of the Pioneer brand!


By the end of the 2014 hiking season I put it all together in one 47 minute long
YouTube video that was & is quite historic.  The title page seen below……
 You can access this historic report clicking on:
  YouTube  video HEROIC 1853 PIONEER TIMBER SLIDES:  The Making of Provo/Springville
There is also a Photo/Essay  covering the same information, but with text where you can see the quotes & photographs
*****************************
NOW TO THE 2016 SEPTEMBER EXPLORATION
Below is a close-up of the area showing with the arrow the top of Slide Mountain, and roughly the two timber slides that were launched from there. 

 The one on the left that goes down into Eagle Pass and then down Slide Canyon is the focus of this exploration–particularly the portion that goes from the ravine up to the top of Slide Mountain.  The lower portion is reported on in the mentioned YouTube video.

On September 17, 2016, at 9:30 AM I began my hike up the Y Trail, and you will notice that for me these experiences, especially in popular areas like Y Mountain, it was also a wonderful social experience, observing the many who make this great hike, many with their families.

The Y area has become the property of Brigham Young University and the trail and area is being improved by BYU as you will notice….the one needed thing missing WATER FOUNTAINS! …..
…. maybe a Hot Dog & Refreshment Center


Meet KIMBERLY & WILLIS PUEBLO and family




Evelyn, Dallin, Mason, Olivia, Willis & Kimberly




UPDATE:  Reply from Kimberly & Willis Pueblo, Monday Sept. 19

Hi Cordell!
      Way to go on achieving your purpose and making it to the top of Slide mountain! When my mother called to ask me how our hike went, and to check on how my knees were feeling (I have really bad knees), I told her how you were up there hiking at age 80 and she was so impressed, as were Willis and I! Keep it up! 
      We checked out pictures of you and Little Andy Lake and did a little reading on your site. It looks like you are a man who has had many adventures!
      Thank you for the pictures! I did get one picture with you in it, as I was documenting our daughter trying to get out of the backpack carrier. I wish I would have taken a better one of you. 
      Mason’s team did win their soccer game. It was a pretty exciting game. That is so sweet of you to remember.
Good luck on your journey!
Kimberly and the Pueblo Crew
THANKS, KIMBERLY, for the nice message and photo…
.I FINALLY GOT INTO MY REPORT!

BUT  THE PHOTO SHOWS WHY IN MY 
YOUTH I WAS NICKNAMED
“LITTLE ANDY”
GUESS IT’S THE ANGLE,  BUT I LOOK LIKE A MIDGET OR WILLIS IS A GOLIATH!

&
CONGRATULATIONS, MASON, FOR YOUR WIN!
***********************************
THE EXCURSION TO THE Y IS A MUST FOR EVERYONE

THE BEGINNING IN UTAH VALLEY

In 1847, when the pioneers led by Brigham Young came into the Wasatch Front, there was some consideration given to settle in Utah Valley.  The area had been visited in 1776 by Fathers Escalante and Domingues who had established in their short visit a good relationship with the Timpanogos-Ute Indians.  The Utes of Colorado called the Timp-Utes, “THE FISH EATERS,” due to much of their diet coming from the abundant fish (“speckled trout,” and suckers) from the clear waters of the streams flowing  from the mountains, and the then clear water of Utah Lake.   

These Catholic explorers named the valley,

“The Valley of Our Lady of Mercy of Timpanogos,” 


and in a letter to the King of Spain, said, it was….


“….the most pleasing, beautiful, and fertile site in New Spain.”


The priests promised the Indians they would return and establish here a Catholic Mission.  Can you imagine how different the history of Utah would have been if they had of done so?   
But they never returned.

Taking a “selfie” with the background:
“The Valley of Our Lady of Mercy of Timpanogos,” 


UCLA cheerleaders (or fans) made the hike too and with
a few cheers cast a spell upon the BYU football team….


…….for the evening game!


NOW, UP THE TRAIL TOWARDS EAGLE PASS…
….with Slide Mountain ahead & above  us.

“Hey, do you speak KEKCHI?”
was the surprising question of a tall young man, with his girl friend hiking up the trail, and passing me.

They wondered what an old guy like me was doing climbing a mountain, and in the conversation I mentioned of course the “Timber Slide” thing, but that previously I had lived and worked for 35 years in Guatemala….which had him asking about the main dialect from the Alta Verapaz area of Guatemala.
Nine years before he had been an LDS missionary in the Polochic/Chulac area where  back in 1976-79 I had been involved in getting missionary work going in that area….and then in 1990-92 built and operated 2 schools in Chulac as the Field Director of the GUATEMALAN FOUNDATION.
http://www.guatemalanfoundation.org/

There he is way up the trail in Eagle Pass, and below
a zoomed in shot of him.  
I gave them my card and hope they email me so I can send them these pictures, and add them to my long list of “High Uinta Friends.” 



Now up the trail through Eagle Pass.  Below is a shot down into the ravine showing the pathway of the timber slide which is a bit up out of the ravine. This picture shows clearly the steepness of the terrain our pioneers worked in and did miracles!


From here in Eagle Pass the slide went down the canyon to the foothills.  I’ll insert a picture below from here showing it going down the canyon.


The launch site for the slide was up there on the top of Slide Mountain where I hoped to get to on this exploration.


Looking down from Eagle Pass at Utah Valley.

Now up the trail….



I’m getting up the ravine where looking across to the south we can see the area where the pioneer timber slide came down from the top of the mountain.

In the picture above…do you see the pathway coming down from the pines?
It is now 12:47 and taken me 3:15 hours to get here….a bit slow, but what with all the socializing, and needed rest stops for an old 80 year old…not too bad!

It will take me around 4:00  hours to find a way down into the ravine, up the other side just a little to find the old trail used by the pioneers, and then the pathway, that began the difficult task of clawing, and crawling, and dragging myself up the steep slide pathway we see with the arrows.

But as I was preparing to go down into the ravine, I heard voices from the pathway area, and zoomed into see a couple!
WHAT!  SOMEONE HAD BEATEN ME TO THE PATHWAY!


I then watched them leave the pathway, and work themselves to the right.


An overall view indicated they were heading for a cave on the right.  They likely didn’t have any idea about the pioneer timber slide pathway they had used.


The young lady sat down at the cave to adjust her boots, and then continued catching up with her boyfriend.


They soon disappeared from sight and I went back to my task.


I soon found the trail that is slightly visible here and there from Google Earth views.  

It’s hard to distinguish with so much scrub oak, maple and other underbrush, and is a trail that actually hasn’t been used for 150 years. The view above is looking up the canyon, the one below looking down.


Among other things I was looking for artefacts from the slide.  The task was difficult with a carpet of leaves on top of 150 years of erosion and deterioration.


I followed it up a ways, taking pictures ahead of me and behind, but finally decided to go back down, and then leave the trail struggling through the jungle of brush to find the slide pathway.



Here it is, looking up towards the pines….although it’s difficult, if not impossible to recognize  because of all the vegetation….that by the way was MUCH WORSE THAN ANY TREK I EVER TOOK THROUGH THE JUNGLES OF GUATEMALA!

Below we are looking down the pathway, with the valley in view.  
It is now 2:43 PM.

Now 2:56 a ways up the pathway, looking down into the ravine.

Below is pictured one of the few items we could call “artifacts.”  This entire, very steep and remote area is where people just don’t come and go, so a piece of wood like this found here is not a coincidence.  A few of these pieces of wood were found, cut with an ax,  about 6″ in diameter, that must have been support pieces for the slide.
 The “slide” sometimes was called a “chute”  “.. consisted[ing] of small logs on the bottom and large logs on each side, making a sort of trough”   p. 133.
“Workmen finished the timber slide down Slide Mountain in November.  George A. Smith informed the editor of the Deseret News that the two-mile-long timber slide ran from the top of the mountain to the foothills below. ”   p.133
Large logs as well as small ans [ones] would run with great rapidity….We would often start timbers at the top end of the slide an[d] it would run the entire [way to the] loading place with out a stop.”  

From the journal of John C. Dowdle,  we find a little detail, one reference saying, it worked admirably as far as tried.”  John and his brother  Robert, worked on the construction of the slide, harvested logs to be used as fuel and lumber, and slide them down the “chute.”  p.133

The information quoted above comes from two historical books by D. Robert Carter, 

 FOUNDING FORT UTAH FROM FORT TO VILLAGE: 

At 3:33 PM we look down the slide or chute pathway,
 and below look from this spot across the canyon at the south side of Y Mountain.


The struggle up the slide pathway didn’t get any easier, forcing my way through jungles of underbrush, but which I used to grab onto to pull myself upward.  
Previous explorations, such as reviewed in the YouTube video, and also in a Photo/Essay where you can see many historical quotes, showed that the adventures sometime became quite bloody as being “thin skinned” seems to be my lot in recent years.  Below are a couple of pictures from the 2014 explorations!














But this time I went better prepared with a long sleeved shirt, and my elk skin gloves, so no blood except on my shins.

REACHED THE TOP OF SLIDE MOUNTAIN
Made it by 5:37 and took a needed rest & lunch stop, and got a shot of Y Mountain’s south side.

WHAT DID I LEARN?
I did find a number of pieces of old, mostly rotted wood, cut with an ax.  I was hoping for more, but we’re dealing with a slide or chute made  in the 1853-60 period, around 160 years ago, and as I learned with the tie hackers on the Uinta’s North Slope, stumps from the 1867-1880 period were almost always completely rotted away.  So I was lucky to find at least a few pieces, likely braces.  I was hoping to find square nails, as I did in my tie hacker explorations, but so far nothing.  Note:  If you don’t know who the tie hackers were, go to my website where I have around 14 photo/essays and YouTube videos on said “unsung heroes who helped win the West!”  
SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO WOOD OVER TIME

I’ll insert below tie hacker stumps from the 1867-80 period.  Said stumps, 140-50 years old,  are almost completely rooted away.  Wood from the timber slide period are around 160 years old, and even more likely to be rotted away than the stumps from the tie hackers, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that little or nothing can be found. 

WHAT I DID LEARN:  
The nearly total fatigue I felt just trying to follow the slide pathway, showed me clearly that the pioneers were tough as nails to have been able to actually build a timber slide out of logs in very rough, steep country, and then go up there daily to cut timber they likely drug to the launch sites with horses or oxen, then…I repeat what was quoted previously from Mr. Carter’s books:

Large logs as well as small ans [ones] would run with great rapidity….We would often start timbers at the top end of the slide an[d] it would run the entire [way to the] loading place with out a stop.”  
Then quoting the journal of a John C. Dowdle,   who wrote:   [It worked] admirably as far as tried.”  John and his brother  Robert, worked on the construction of the slide, harvested logs to be used as fuel and lumber, and slide them down the chute. Since lumbermen used the slide mainly in the winter, they labored under unfavorable working conditions.  Dowdle said at times the snow was from two to eight feet deep on the mountain.  Alexander P. Chesley, who helped cut and slide the timber, lived in such destitution that he had to wrap his feet in  burlap sacking in place of shoes.  Working in these dire circumstances presented at least one advantage.  Dowdle wrote, ‘By laboring in this manner during the winter we made a tolarable good living.'”  p.133

My admiration for the pioneers grew exponentially once more, and I am filled with gratitude for the work and sacrifices they made to help make possible so many blessings we now enjoy–and we in turn  should in our own way focus some of our energies also on making the world a better place for others.

NOW TO GET HOME BEFORE DARK
NOTE:  I of course went prepared with basic survival items:  My SPOT tracker, headlamp with fresh batteries, weatherproof matches, a good pocket knife, and smart phone, plus a little extra food and water.By 5:55  I was on my way down to Maple Flats and passed by the ruins of this cabin discovcred on previous explorations in 2014.



As I was about to leave Maple Flats, and look for the trail down into the canyon, got a last shot of Y Mountain, showing the small depression behind the highest point, and the 2nd crest to the east.



The little used trail is a bit tricky to find, as there are game trails all over, but if you find it you will soon find the only spring in the entire area.  The old corroded  pipe is just barely seen on the left, disquised by moss and vegetation.

Here is a close-up of the pipe, with just a trickle of water still flowing…actually a drip.


Once down in the canyon and the meadows, by about 7:00 PM, I take another rest/eat stop.  If you are interested in hiking from here up to Maple Flats, let me help you find the trail by inserting a picture from previous years showing where it takes off.

Coming up the trail you get to the first meadow, and you will notice a well defined trail to the right taking you  20 yards or so to the spot you see below.

The trail takes off to the right of the large rock….with my little pile of rocks on top so you won’t go wrong.


By 7:30 PM I was a bit below where I crossed the ravine, and we are looking up at the area where the slide comes down into the canyon. 

 #1 marks the spot where the chute came up to the top of Slide Mountain.  #2 points down a bit to the launch site for the slide that goes down the front of the mountain.  Both pathways shown again in the shot below.  


By 7:50 I was between Eagle Pass and the Y and the sun set over 
“The Valley of Our Lady of Mercy of Timpanogos,”
“….the most pleasing, beautiful, and fertile site in New Spain.”

Soon I arrived at the Y and once again took a rest/eat stop that I needed pretty bad as my legs were getting pretty rubbery!  

I watched the Lavell Edwards Stadium fill up with people for the BYU vs UCLA game and could actually hear and understand some of what was on the PA system….in spite of my hearing which is the one body part that is in such bad shape that I find myself avoiding group social gatherings!

By 8:16 the game was about to start and I was tuned in with my tiny Apple square thingy, and hoped that listening to something interesting would help me make it to the parking lot in the dark–the trail sort of visible with the lights from Provo.

So I took a last shot of the Valley focusing on the LDS Temple at the mouth of Rock Canyon where in my youth I had great success hunting cottontail rabbits–as well as many other cherished adventures, and headed down the trail, grateful for having mostly achieved my purpose….and more than anything else………

……….EXPERIENCING A GREATLY ENHANCED APPRECIATION  FOR WHAT OUR PIONEERS DID SO WE COULD BE SO BLESSED TODAY….
….AND LITERALLY IN AWE AS I CAN’T EVEN IMAGINE HOW THEY COULD HAVE DONE WHAT THEY DID TO HELP BUILD PROVO, UTAH.
************************
Next up:
Finishing my exploration of the 1st Pioneer Timber Slide, which was on Buckley Mountain, between Provo & Springville
*********************

THE ASSAULT ON “LITTLE ANDY LAKE” near MOUNT JEDEDIAH, and being ABUNDANTLY BLESSED WHILE HOPEFULLY BLESSING OTHERS! & the ACID TEST OF MY RESOLVE TO “NEVER GIVE IN….EASILY!”

Scroll down for the photo/essay 
ASSAULT ON “LITTLE ANDY LAKE” 
or what I called,
“LITTLE ANDY’S OLYMPICS”
*****************
LONGEVITY….
“Use it or lose it!” …. I feel need of frequent HEAVY DUTY WORKOUTS!
So, on Saturday, September 17th, back to…
THE PIONEER TIMBER SLIDES EXPLORATIONS…..
….up past the Y, then to Eagle Pass and down into the ravine to follow the pathway up through the pines to the top of Slide Mountain.  
I’ll use my SPOT TRACKER.
MADE IT…scratching, clawing, & dragging  myself…. UP THE PATHWAY…legs sore like never!
Click on:  TIMBER SLIDE EXPLORATION #1-2016

LITTLE ANDY LAKE
“The highest lake in Utah”
It looks sort of low down & humble in this picture from 13,512 ft. South Kings Peak 
taken by my friend Elisabeth Johanson, but…..
…..PERSPECTIVE:
 Little Andy Lake  is 550 ft. higher than Mt. Timpanogos 
that looms over Utah Valley, 409 ft. higher than Gunsight Pass 
we will see in the report.  
UPDATES ARE BEING MADE OFTEN AS MY “FRIENDS” SEND ME 
PHOTOS & DETAILS–which I’m posting,  like from:

Cesar de la Cruz Santos, Paula & Wade, Elisabeth Johanson & crew,
 John Sowell, Nathan Gibbons, Christina Ogrin, Kim, Kevin Parks,
Jake Hirschi & kids–Grace & Isaac,  Brant & Jennell Humphrey, 
Linda Turner, & Johnny Clare….and I expect more soon

**************************************
Sept. 14 – Just heard from Wade & inserted his message & photo
*******************************************

UNORGANIZED ORGANIZATION!

Sorry, but this backpack in my eyes was for several reasons perhaps the most signifcant of my approximately 1,900 miles over the last 14 years, & has me so pumped up that I’m already  making backpack plans for 2017 in my 82nd year and getting to 2,000 miles–   I’m constantly making little additions & improvements to this post so that in the end it will be more complete for my own history & for those really interested in learning how an 80 year old did it–and will do more!

ADDED MY SECRET SIX SUPPLEMENTS!
I’ve inserted them when describing my encounter with Darryl, 
 including also links to the details.

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Previous Post
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There is a special Facebook Page
 Cordell Andersen Photography, and a STORE
where many of my photographs from the High Uintas are available. 
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“Little Andy’s Olympics”

Maybe I should say “PARAOLYMPICS”

Backpack #3-2016 Aug. 22-27 

On the HIGH UINTAS North Slope
HENRY’S FORK TRAILHEAD (9,426 elevation) >Gunsight Pass (11,893 ft.)>
Highline Trail>Off-trail to U-75 lake (11,402 ft)>“Little Andy Lake”–The Uintas highest lake at 12,302 ft.>back to U-75 lake>Back to Gunsight Pass>to Henry’s Fk Basin> Timberline camp before Dollar Lake> Return to  Henry’s Fk Trailhead> .
Note: Camp #1 to Camp #5  all above 11,000 ft. timberlineTOTAL MILES = 36 miles in 6 days

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The “Culminating Chapter” 
HOW AN 80 YEAR OLD OVERCAME “GLITCHES” LIKE:

The smallest Andersen (son) among 5 on the football team, so….became “Little Andy,” 
“Football Ankle,” “3rd worst backpacker among the 3 originals,” “Motorcycle Knee,” Cancer, Heart attack, “Football ankle,” &“Motorcycle Knee,”  Both wore out, 
Nasal obstruction–breathing problem, “Becoming a cripple” with worn out hip & pinched nerve,  Overweight with 26 extra pounds!  “Metatarsalgia” in feet, “Peripharal Neuropathy” in feet, 
High Altitude Sickenss, & most agree about me “being quixotic Crazy!”

********************************
SPOT  Satellite Tracker link: SPOT
Note:  My 1st SPOT track at the Trailhead starting point didn’t work, so the 1st SPOT track is where I got to the 1st day
*************************************
THE PHOTO/ESSAY WITH BACKGROUND HISTORY OF THE EFFORT TO GET TO
“LITTLE ANDY LAKE”
The actual HIGH UINTAS WILDERNESS PROJECT began in 2003, but really got its start in 1952 when my family moved from California to Provo, Utah, and soon afterwards Ted Packard and Charlie Peterson invited me to “The Grandaddies” beginning my 64 year love affair with the HIGH UINTAS. Below, to the left are the three of us in September 1954 after a two week backpack traversing what then was THE HIGH UINTAS PRIMATIVE AREA.
Ted & Charlie were always better backpackers than me, in spite of me considering myself an athlete even being Provo High School’s All-State Football Candidate in my senior year–when I was nick-named 
“Little Andy”..
…but, in the Uintas I more often than not found myself  in the prone position as seen on the right above…..and it isn’t a stretch to imagine me doing that much more now in my 81st year (I’m 80, but in “my 81st year”).  Nevertheless, I fell in love with the Uintas and swore then that, 
“Sooner or later I will explore, photograph and report on the entire area,” 
“The area” later doubled in size when in 1984 it was designated the 
HIGH UINTAS WILDERNESS AREA

From 1967 to 2002 I dedicated my life in Guatemala among the Mayans in a gigantic personal/family effort to save and help as many as possible (http://www.guatemalanfoundation.org/)….and it involved a lot of hard work with my plantation, dairy, and then coffee farm….. that kept me in pretty good shape, in addition to the dangers from guerrillas and criminals that forced me to be strong–always having to be ready and able to either fight or flee.    In the closing years I anticipated returning to Utah and making good on my vow with the Uintas, and so increased my work-outs, hiking 4 miles around my farm 2-3 times a week with a hundred pound bag of fertilizer on my back!
So,  in 2002 I returned to the U.S. and in 2003 began what I called….. 

THE HIGH UINTAS WILDERNESS PROJECT
….beginning with a 27 day, 236 mile–no re-supply–backpack across the Wilderness begining with  83 lbs. on my back and around my waist, then  continued now for 14 years with around 1,900 miles of exploration….so far.  
Most of those years I became associated with Russ Smith/SKYCALL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS, and 
Tim Hughes at 
KSL OUTDOORS radio giving satellite phone reports from the Uintas.
Then, a couple of years ago, Tim & Russ suggested that a lake in the Uintas be given my name.  The search was on for a no-name, no-number lake nobody would care about, and I found one under the eastern shadow of South Kings Peak, and named it 
“LITTLE ANDY LAKE”
As it worked out, the small lake turned out to be what I’m told is 
“the highest lake in the Uintas &  in Utah!” 
By that time in 2014, being 78 years old,  backpacking was becoming a bit more difficult and I even mentioned on my website that getting to it be done by some “young bucks” who would have to do me the favor……but, then…
 …I experienced a renewal with better health, no pain for the 1st time in 30 years & increased physical stamina and decided I had to do it myself!

FIRST ATTEMPT:
 So, during the 2015 backpacking season, I made my first attempt with the plan of going from the Uinta River Trailhead and ascending the Atwood Trail up to Trail Rider Pass and U-75 lake, but at the trailhead found a Forest Service notice that the trail was closed by a “FLY OVER” by helicopters working on the dam at Lake Atwood…..
…..so the first effort FAILED, due to the Forest Service.

SECOND ATTEMPT:
A couple of weeks later I was back at the Uinta River Trailhead and ascending the Atwood Trail.
A PROBLEM: As I have got older, and, when adding to that weakness, due to sickness or excessive fatigue, I began experiencing HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS, and such was the case in this attempt up the Attwood Trail when getting  near timberline, with tough Robert’s Pass ahead of me & then further along, Trail Rider Pass.  My blood pressure was up, and I noticed all of a sudden an irregular heart beat–that I used to have, but which I thought had been overcome.  So, not feeling well, and with worrisome vitals,  indicating High Altitude Sickness, I decided it was wise for me to to retreat down the trail.  So my 2nd attempt to get to “Little Andy Lake” failed….this time MY FAULT!  

FINDING A WAY……..
THIRD ATTEMPT:
Of course I wasn’t about to give up and came up with a plan that might work.  The other approach to the Kings Peak/Little Andy Lake area, was the Henry’s Fork Basin on the North Slope.  The Trailhead beginning point was 1,000 feet higher than the Uinta River Trailhead, and there was a gradual climb, giving time for acclimitazion as I scaled just one pass, Gunsight Pass. 
 So, on August 19th I was at the Henry’s Fork Trailhead to make my 3rd attempt getting to Little Andy Lake.  I made it to Elkhorn Crossing and camped, hopefully giving my body time to acclimatize.  I continued the next day going by the Dollar Lake area and continued to above timberline where I hoped to camp and wait until the next day to climb Gunsight Pass…….but………it was there that “the silent killer” attacked again.

So, wisdom had me descending…..which I did going back to Elkhorn Crossing, and the next day back to the Trailhead.

That backing off….again, proved fortunate as it had me meeting up with an old friend, Teresa…..who when she saw me, screamed:
 She had seen on the internet the obituary of CORDELL M ANDERSEN, who died a few years ago  in Council Bluffs, Iowa!
But, I assured her she wasn’t seeing a ghost.

SO…..BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD…...
……outlining a STRATEGY TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE for success in 2016.

The “strategy” during the remainder of 2015 and winter/spring 2016 was basically to workout everyday and get much stronger.  So, with pack on my back–full of rocks & containers full of water, I was on the streets of American Fork, Utah every day, along with other exercises, and achieved losing 26 lbs. to get down to my weight when I was 20 years old.
With the backpack,  rather than the weighted vest, I had fun meeting a few good hearted people who stopped to offer me money and rides, like, Spencer, on the left, and Lincoln & his mom, Vilma, on the right. I’d tell them, 

“Thanks, for being such good hearted people, but I’m not homeless, rather an eccentric millionaire out getting my exercise….and meeting my goal of:
BEING 80+, LOOKING LIKE 60, BEHAVING LIKE 30, & WEIGHING LIKE WHEN 20!”
*************************************
WEIGHT?
Let me comment on this critical item…I mentioned losing 26 lbs. of body fat.  How important is it?  I have calculated it for the half-marathons I used to run every year…and will again in May 2017 in Guatemala, in my 82nd year.  I figure that I take more or less 26,000 steps during the 13 miles, and with having lost 26 lbs. each step lifts 26 lbs. less, for a total during the race of 676,000 pounds LESS!
Add to all of that incredible amount of energy saved, I now use the lightest weight mountain running shoes pictured below…of the Saloman brand.

Each shoe, compared to the lightweight Salomon hiking books I used to wear, weighs 8 oz. less multiplied by 26,000 steps, comes to an additional 13,000 lbs. less weight lifted, for a grand total of 688,000 lbs. less weight lifted over the 13 miles.  I averaged about 6 miles a day on this backpack, which comes out lifting 317,538 lbs. less every day–a total for the 6 days almost 2,000,000 lbs.  less weight my body had to lift!  
SIGNIFCANT?  YOU’D BETTER BELIEVE IT!
Any additional weight that can be eliminated will just enhance the whole experience, making possible such efforts for an old guy like me.  
Otherwise, I likely wouldn’t be able to do it!

WARM UP BACKPACKS
Two were done in June–to “Grandaddies” & July–to “FoxQueant Pass” … to help me be prepared, and then…..
…..I WAS READY FOR:

FOURTH ATTEMPT:
Backpack #3-2016 Aug. 22-27 
On the HIGH UINTAS North Slope
>U-75 lk (11,402 ft) >The Uintas highest lake at 12,302 ft.>

********************************

GOING ALONE ON SUCH AN ADVENTURE? …
..NEVER!  
UNLESS YOU TAKE THE PRECAUTIONS LISTED BELOW:

 SOME OF THE ESSENTIALS FOR ACHIEVING MY PURPOSE:
This obviously isn’t a complete list…..but let me say a word about two items…on the left and on the right:
On the left:  Topographical maps, with elevation profiles, plus National Geographic High Uintas Wilderness Map, and prints of Google Earth & info. from Guide Books, with printed pages.

On the right:  Blister preventing socks next to your skin.  I tire of hearing even experienced backpackers, mountaineers, marathoners, etc.  talk about getting blisters.  Since I started using “blister preventing socks” I have never had a blister–during the 14 year Uinta Project, and  during 14 consecutive years  running the International Half Marathon in Coban, Guatemala!

NOW THE CRITICAL ESSENTIALS
 The SPOT PERSONAL SATELLITE TRACKER…..
…..or other similar devices to signal to family and friends each day one is OK, and a Google Earth view exactly where you are–and of course if the Emergency arrises, hit the 911 button to have Search & Rescue on the way. No one should go alone without such a device, and I believe each group should have one.

NOTE:  Eric Robinson, 64 year old Australian adventurer went missing in the High Uintas 6 years ago, and during my backpack his remains were found. He had a personal satellite tracking device, but DIDN’T USE IT!
He was likely saving it for an emergency, but it apparently suprised him not giving him time to turn it on and press 911!

SATELLITE PHONE
Once again, I believe this is essential, especially if one goes alone, such as I have done on most of my backpacks over 14 years.  I would also recommend that each group, like Boy Scouts, or Explorer Scouts, have one.  I’m sure the parents would be happy to pay the rental cost.
Note:  Once again, Eric Robinson, didn’t have a satellite phone to keep his loved ones aware of his whereabouts and changes in his schedule…..like somehow getting way off course from the Highline Trail onto the North Slope Alsoop Lake area where his remains were mysteriously found.


 On this adventure Russ Smith, at SKYCALL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS,, provided the one you see on the left which was very effective in giving my Saturday morning report to KSL OUTDOORS radio , the podcast of which you can listen to at:  PODCAST

BLOOD PRESSURE GAUGE
Due to my history of heart and altitude problems I took with me my lightweight gauge, and used it often to monitor my vitals as I ascended to above timberline and beyond.
AN OXIMETER……
…..to warn you of “the silent killer” HIGH ALTITUDE SICKENSS.
It measures the oxygen content of your blood, along with pulse.  My normal oxygen reading  at home was 96.  What would be dangerously low?

In 2006, when on a late season mid-September backpack to Crater Lake I ran into bad weather, was snowed on, and got sick–laying there for several days while the emergency anti-biotic I always take began taking effect.  I then had to get out of there as big-time snow was on its way.  Up on 12,150 foot East Fork Pass a blizzard hit, and everything went wrong……I called Russ Smith on the sat phone as depicted in an above picture, and asked for help.  Soon it was a conference call between me, Russ, the Summit County sheriff, and the U of Utah Rescue unit. I was able to give them my coordinates as I moved down 1,300 ft.  By the time the helicopter got there I was feeling pretty good and joked about them just doing me the favor of taking me to the Trailhead…..or the LaVell Edwards stadium as the BYU game was about to start!  
They insisted on checking my vitals:  Even after resting for 30 minutes my blood pressure was sky high, pulse racing, and oxygen in my blood at 50!  They insisted on taking me out of there.

So:  96 is good, 50 is BAD….in fact a friend told me a corpse has a higher count than 50!


So on this critical backpack I was going to monitor my vitals as I ascended, and, when needed, pause to acclimatize.  I also had  DIAMOX, a prescription medication that speeds up acclimatization, taking two tablets/day.

Had with me a print-out of
THE WEATHER REPORT FOR THE WEEK
At least it gave me the idea that I had to go especially prepared for cold, rainy & even snowy weather–including rain pants, waterproof gloves, and of course the normal rain parka, poncho, and warm/lightweight Mountain Hardware jacket. 

THE HENRY’S FORK TRAILHEAD
AS READY AS POSSIBLE!
I actually went with 9 days of food in case acclimatization and/or weather would prolong the trip.  That had my pack heavier than I wanted at about 46-48 lbs.  But, if I deduct the 26 lbs. of body fat I had lost, it was like reducing my backpack load to 20 pounds! I had also trained with a gradually increasing pack weight up to 60 lbs.,  so…..….theoretically I would just float up the trail!

THE CHALLENGE at 80 years old…..
….as I say, vainly,  to be more impressive, “In my 81st year!”
THE “GLITCHES” ALONG THE 1,900 MILES OF BACKPACKING!
1.  In 1994 I was diagnosed with metatarsalgia” a painful problem with the ball of my feet, and told “No more running half-marathons, or backpacking”   but of course I found a way to solve this problem myself, and, as I have reported, gradually cured the problem….except for only a partial cure with the right foot when doing heavy duty running or backpacking, that required extra Cod liver oil, Excedrin, etc.  For this backpack  #3-2016 I modified my lightweight mountain running shoes, with an extra insert with a hole in the ball of the foot area, and it worked for the metatarsalgia” but caused a new problem,  jamming  my toes, especially my big toe that became extremely painful and I only made it back to the Trailhead with adjustments on the trail, but on the last day I was limping  on arrival after my longest day of hiking–around 9 miles,  going mostly downhill. 
2.  In addition, over the 14 years of the Project, every year I had to deal with problems, each in turn with a solution to make possible continuing.  Problems, like:  In 2003, cancerous thyroid removed, & two Mohs surgeries removing cancerous growths on my upper body, plus several radiation treatments over the next few years; Then in 2004 a temporary surgery on my “motorcycle knee,” & eventually, in 2008, reconstruction now with a titanium right knee;  Then from 2004-to the present, coping with the aftermath of a heart attack in 2004;  In 2007,  reconstruction of the “football ankle,” with a tendon transplant and 3 screws holding it together;  Next,  in 2009 “terminate reduction surgery” to make possible better breathing;  Then in 2011 back surgery due to a pinched nerve that was making me a cripple, installing a device to keep spine straight;  Last of all in 2012 hip replacement with a titanium joint on my left side;  And, as explained lately,  dealing with High Altitude Sickness and its corresponding complications.
3.  Then, from 2012 on “PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY” in my  feet, but which went away when I had a load on my back, motivating me to train usually with a backpack weighing around 40 lbs., and also when jogging with more than normal pressure on my feet that would have me feeling fine.  So, even day hikes required me to have at least 10-15 lbs. of weight on my back.
4.  Last, but not least, I  became 26 lbs. overweight, and this year went on the CARB NITE DIET designed to lose fat and not muscle, and finally got down to me weight when I was 20 years old! 
THIS BACKPACK WOULD BE THE ACID TEST…..OF MY RESOLVE to 
“NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE IN…..EASILY!” 
 This is the first in a series of topographical maps……marking my route, including distances to key places, and elevations.

Note: For any who are new, I’ll insert some interesting historical info taken from my backpack report last year up Henry’s Fork.
We are in historic country…..
The trail parallels the Henry’s Fork of the Green River.  This well known land-mark river was named after he who most of his life was known as “Major Andrew Henry,”  but who had actually ascended to  be a brigadier general in the military, and then was elected lieutenant governor of Missouri.  Later he became the partner of General William H. Ashley and  their fur-trading venture on the upper Missouri River and together would go on to revolutionize the Western fur trade with the help of  all the famous mountain-men such as Jim Bridger, Jedediah Smith, and others mentioned below. 
The historic HENRYS FORK OF THE GREEN RIVER  the trail parallels

As we can read in this Historic marker just over the line into Wyoming, it was on the Henry’s Fork where the very first ROCKY MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS was held in 1825.
On one of my explorations I made it a point to try and pin-point the exact spot where this famous Rendezvous was held….seen below

A WHO’S WHO OF MOUNTAIN MEN & EXPLORERS

So, here we go up the famous  Henry’s Fork of the Green River.  Once again, as many of the streams coming out of the High Uintas, very seldom if ever fished.  I’m toying with the idea that said “streams of the Uinta” will be my next focus, once I get the “unique book” put together I’m now working on.

Up the trail a horseman approached with his pack horse.  It happens to be one of the many sheepherders tending large flocks in the high country.  Fifty years ago they were usually Basques, from Spain, but now are rather Mexicans, Peuvians and Chileans.

Cesar de la Cruz Santos happens to be from Peru on his way back to his Kings Peak (Painter Basin) camp and herd.  Cesar spends his winters in Bigelow, Wyoming.  Interestingly he gave me his Facebook page, and told me at their camp they had internet!  So he would be able to check out my website with my business card I gave him.  By September 6th they will begin moving their sheep down from the high country.

Here is Cesar’s profile picture on his FACEBOOK page…..

WOW!
We now have an incredible
“Peruvian sheepherder artist/photographer” 
Creating beauty from his camp in the eastern shadow of Kings Peak in the Painter Basin!
FELICITACIONES, CESAR!

 Soon we get our first glimpse of KINGS PEAK, Utah highest at 13,528 ft.  The air was a bit smokey, as you’ll see, but not as bad as last year.

Elkhorn Crossing with trails going south to Gunsight Pass & Kings Peak, east to the Beaver Creek Drainage and on to Thompson Pass and to Hoops Lake, etc., and west on the North Slope Highline Trail, with take offs to Henry’s Lake and many others in the basin, on crossing Smiths Fork, Blacks Fork and on to to the East Fork of Bear River.


 The original plan had been to camp out here, at about 10,400 ft.  and give my body time to acclimatize, but my oxygen content was only down to 89, actually up 1 from the 88 at the Trailhead.  After a 20 minute rest the oxygen had risen to 91, and I so decided to go on to the Dollar Lake area.


So up the trail, crossing the bridge, and to the junction on the other side, and from there head south and up into the high country.

 Now,  up out of the canyon with the wonderful panorama of the High Uintas spreading before us:  Gilbert Peak, 13,442 ft (3rd highest); no-name, 13, 263 ft.; Kings Peak, 13,528 ft.; no-name, 13, 260 ft.; etc.
 All the light green vegetation we see are willows.

At Elkhorn Crossing I had a little water left, so decided to go on a mile or so where the maps indicated the trail crossing two small streams, get water there and camp, but when I got to them they were dry, and I was out!  There were signs everywhere of this being a dry year for this portion of the Uintas.  I had to push on, and on and it was getting real tough approaching 8 miles on my first day….. until finally getting to the outlet of Dollar Lake we see below where I filled my water buckets and went on to set up camp in the first pines.

 This Forest Service marker prohibiting campfires closer than 1/4 mile from the lake, indicates the lake is close–actually a little to the east behind the row of pines in the picture.  I chose to be separate from the many who camp there.  Most of them make it here the first day and set up their camp, then the next day  make a round-trip day hike of 16 miles to & from Kings Peak.

 CAMP # 1 at 10,700 ft. elevation. 

Oxygen at 87, until after taking my recovery supplements, when it rose to 91.  Most of MY  “RECOVERY”  FORMULA was:  
1.  Three Calcium/Magnesium gel caps (studies of marathon runners shorts show that the mineral lost most is Calcium);  
2,  5 gms. of Glutamine (studies among marathoners show, if this is replaced after a race,  the chance of sickness is vastly reduced);  
3.  Then I follow my double formula to strengthen the immune system, when one feels you are  on the verge of getting sick (which as an old guy I feel always after a hard day): 6 Wellness Formula capsules;  1 Defense Plus tablet; and suck on Cold-Eeze (you get at Walmarts, same as Zicam Cold Remedy, but better & cheaper).

A little friend near my 1st camp.

*******************
2015 photograph of Castle Peak, with “mysterious” Castle Lake at its base found at the low spot in dead center.   This picture shows there was much  more smoke in the air from forest fires last year.


Up the trail, DAY TWO, getting closer to Kings Peak.

A GIANT Spruce, be it Englemans, or Colorado–which used to be the Utah State tree, up the trail a bit from the Dollar Lake area.

Looking up the trunk through the abundance of branches……and…..
looking down at the massive roots.

 Getting up near timberline, the low spot in the middle of the picture is where no-name lake G-98 is located which originally I had hoped to visit on my way back…..but as you will notice, all the extras listed were left pending a backpack just into the Henry’s Fork Basin for 2017.
 To the right, or west, of G-98 lake, we see Kings Peak and the “chute” some use to get to and from King’s Peak.

 Zooming in on KING’S PEAK,we  just barely see a few hikers on the skyline scaling the peak.
 Continuing  towards the west we come to the basin where Cliff Lake is found–the most remote lake in the Henry’s Fork Drainage–where I once had an “alligator-like” rush at my spoon that splashed water 20 feet to the shore where I stood.  I still want to get back there….one more time (2017)
 Down the drainage and more to the west from Cliff Lake we see the stream that comes out of Blanchard Lake….a picture of which I’ll insert below looking back towards the Gunsight Pass trail.

 Our photographic swing around the basin ends at Castle Peak


 Right at timberline we come to the trail that will take one west to Henry’s Lake and many others in this basin. Our trail continuing towards Gunsight Pass.
 More sheepherder types coming down the trail……but they strangely didn’t respond to my greeting in Spanish and veered off trail to keep their distance from me.  Who knows why?  I guess I looked pretty tough!


 As I approached the pass, two backpackers were coming towards me, and I met Paula & Wade Whitlock.
Note:  Remember the low spot–Gunsight Pass is 141 ft. higher than Mt. Timpanogos!

 They were on a very ambitious backpack, having left their car at the Hoop’s Lake Trailhead, way to the northeast,  and from there worked their way up into the high country coming over Divide Pass into the Uinta River Drainage, and then followed the Highline Trail across that drainage, then over Gunsight Pass where we met.  From there they would continue down to Elkhorn Crossing and there take the North Slope Highline Trail taking them through the Beaver Creek Drainage, and over Thompson Pass 11,450 ft. and back to Hoopes Lake.  I calculate the distance at 65 miles.  

Above is the elevation profile of their trip from Hoopes to Hoopes.  WOW!
Congratulations to Paula & Wade. I’ll look forward  to getting a report from them.

HEARD FROM THEM
September 14, 2016 with the following message:
Hello Cordell, 
e it back to Colorado safe and sound.  I would say we made it home, but the high places feel more like home to 
us than the city, so we plan to return home again several times before the deep winter sets in.  We were so happy to see you made it to Little Andy Lake!  We pray God gives you many more years of backpacking in the mountains you love. 
I attached a picture of you near Gunsight.
Wade

Thanks, WADE, for the email & photo!

To the pass there are two long switchbacks.  We can see two hikers on the first switchback.

There is also a very rough trail that goes right up the ravine, the beginning of which I didn’t like–just a bunch of boulders, so I backed off and started up the switchbacks.

 Now, on to the 2nd switchback! 

It was a good time to see the hearty Mountain Sorrell , a beautiful, delicate plant that grows in very harsh conditions.  

For me, focusing on such “visions of nature” gets my mind off of the fatigue and makes much more enjoyable the adventure.

The Bluebells were also doing fine & they were helping me also do pretty darn good!

 Looking back at the Henry’s Fork Basin.

The wind was blowing hard, and it was quite cold, so my gloves felt good as I came right up to the 11,893 ft. pass, with a huge rock karn marking the spot.

This pass is around 200 feet higher than the summit of Mt. Timpanogos that dominates Utah Valley.

 Coming right up the difficult “ravine trail” was a young lady, followed by her companions, and it was great meeting a pretty unique group of youth from Washington, working on climbing the 50 peaks, along with Utah’s Thirteeners.
 Meet  (not necessarily in order), Phebe, Rachel, Ben, Elizabeth, & Naomi JOHANSON, & McChensi McClellan.    They not only were on their way to climb Kings Peak (13,528), but from there follow the ridge south and southeast climbing South Kings Peak (13,312), then continue down the ridge climbing 3 no-name 13,000+ peaks, including 13,387 ft. Mt. Jedediah (I have named), and end at 13,440 ft. Mt. Emmons, Utah’s 4th highest, and from there hike back to the Henry’s Fork Trailhead–ALL OF WHICH I FIND INCREDIBLE!

 I didn’t want to discourage them, but did mention that it would be miles and miles of boulder hopping, no flat areas to set up tents, only water likely being melting snow, plus they would be right up in the weather that was forecast and did happen as I show further along.  Many times in the next few days they were in my prayers!
I will be anxious to get their report and publish it here.

UPDATE:  September 2, 2016
I just reeived an email from Elisabeth Johanson and some special photographs a few of which I’ll add here, and others later when we get to Little Andy Lake.

 I also expect to receive some details about what Elisabeth  called 
“Our hike up to Kings Peak and across to Mt. Emmons that was amazing!”
As soon as I get more information I’ll add it to this post, and then advise my entire list of “High Uinta Friends.” 

This photo was taken without me realizing it….as I was checking my vitals, seeing that at 11,893 ft. my blood oxygen count was down to  81, the lowest on the trip.  Dropping down to where I camped, where the group was also camped, my oxygen went back up to  92 quickly after taking my “recovery supplements.”  It likely would have normalized even up on the pass by just waiting 30 minutes or so.

Another picture taken of me by Elisabeth as they were dropping down ahead of me, and I was shouldering my pack to follow them.
As mentioned above, before leaving the pass, I checked my blood pressure, which was fine, and then the oxygen which was 81, the lowest so far.

  I then shouldered my pack and headed down  from the pass.  Along the way we view the Painter Mountain, on the other side of which are the isolated Painter Lakes, and on this side the arctic tundra  of Painter Basin.
Following the Painter Mountain to the west we come to Trail Rider Pass, 11,780 ft.,  seen faintly in the middle of the photo, with Mt. Emmons in the center,  and Mt. Jedediah, 13,387 ft.–5th highest in Utah,  on the extreme right.  The mountain between those two is a no-name mountain, 13,305 ft. high.
 Once down off the pass you come to a junction.  The right hand fork is the short-cut for those climbing King’s Peak.  The left hand fork, goes out in the middle of the valley and eventually connects onto the Highline Trail.  I came up that trail on my return.

As I came down from the pass I needed water, and a good place to camp as I was pretty tired, and water gone.  I soon found myself in the first Alpine firs where the youthful mountaineers were already camping, and nearby I set up my camp.
 My 2nd CAMP at about 11,400 ft.  with Gunsight Pass in the distance, and Gilbert Peak on the right.  After my recovery my oxygen was up to 92, and blood pressure perfect.

From my camp I followed the trail until it headed straight up the mountain towards King’s Peak.   I then went off trail until I began seeing the rock karns of the Highline Trail……..coming from the east across the Uinta River Drainage.

 ………and there met a lone backpacker coming from the east.

 It was John Sowell, from Colorado, who was another unique backpacker working on doing something most don’t even know about.  He was doing the ENTIRE HIGHLINE TRAIL, including a 30 mile segment from what most think is the eastern end at the Hacking Lake Trailhead, near Leidy Peak, to the Highline Trail’s actual starting point on Utah Highway 191 between Vernal and Flaming Gorge.  I’ll soon make a trip over there to at least get a picture of said starting point of the famous trail.
I knew something about this and once had the plan of doing as he was doing–and even made a series of 14 topographical maps showing the route, distances, etc.   The total distance came to 106.6 miles.  I since have been in email contact with John who met his objective, for which I heartily congratulate him.

I should add that John talked about once, I believe with a son, being on South King’s Peak, and for some reason they decided to go down the mountain, and in so doing passed by Little Andy Lake, and from there dropped down into the Painter Basin, one ravine before the one I went up from U-75 lake.   He thought he maybe had a picture with the Little Andy Lake included, which he’d send to me so I’d have a picture in case I didn’t make it.   So, I know of at least one person who had in a sense been to the lake…..so I wouldn’t be able to claim to be the first.


 John took my picture with his camera and emailed it to me–you see above, with Gunsight Pass in the background.
Thanks, John!
Note:  Remember Gunsight Pass is around 200 ft. higher than Mt. Timpanogos

 I bid farewell to John, he heading up towards Anderson Pass, and me bushwhacking south, soon with Kings Peak in full view as seen above……..which is nearly 2,000 feet higher than Timpanogos.

 ……..and swinging our view a bit to the southwest, Mt. Jedediah is getting closer, my objective for the day being at its base at U-75 lake……

 …..and then directly south looking at Trail Rider Pass, that leads to the George Beard Basin, and then to the Lake Atwood area.  Along the way I began seeing signs of sheep in the area and soon got a shot of some of the herders horses.
Then jumped a few Arctic Ptarmigan, better pictures of which I’d get a day later…….

 …….and then I begin hearing and soon seeing Cesar’s flocks of sheep.

 Crossing the arctic tundra I got a good view of Kings Peak all the way south to Mt. Jedediah…….and beyond.  


 ……..and found an OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN still in bloom….sort of.
Finally made it to U-75 with Mt. Jedediah looming over it.  
 This is one of my favorite pictures from near Trail Rider Pass, looking north at Kings Peak, with no-name U-75 lake in the middle, with a blossoming OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN and Gunsight Pass on the right.

 I named the mountain in honor of Jedediah Smith, for me one of the very greatest of all the mountain men and explorers of the West.
UPDATE: 
I’ll insert below the response by Linda Turner in relation to Mt. Jedediah & the photo/essay:

Cordell, 
Oh my gosh, such beauty, and your writings are so informative. I feel like I was there! Of course, my favorite…the trappers and *Jedediah Mountain. Okay…the whole thing was my favorite.  I especially love the photo with Old Man in the Mountain flowers/clouds/peaks. I hope you make a ‘hard copy book too. 
Well, my new dream and hope is that  someone knows how make it official… ‘Jedediah Mountain’ the 5th tallest in Utah.  I’ll forward your email to the Jedediah Smith Society near Sacramento if you don’t mind, so they can see the mountain and your work sharing the adventures.  Thank you for being you, a very rare and special person. God bless you sweet (and your family), kind, Cordell.. courageous and bright light of the Uinta’s.   
Best always,
Linda Turner
OCTA Crossroads PR
Salt Lake City, Utah 

 Mt. Jedediah is the 5th highest mountain in Utah.  In my book I’ll tell the story of Jedediah Smith, his experience with the Uintas, and why I look up to him as one of the greatest of the mountainmen.
Do you see my camp?

I set up my CAMP  for nights #3 & #4 at one end of lake U-75, over 11,400 ft. elevation.
For whatever reasons I was having digestive problems, but they were solved by taking Redmond Clay, the powder mixed in a small bottle, with water and left for a couple of hours turning it into a thick, gel-like  mixture, swallowed by the spoonful, with a glass of water afterwards.  Pretty soon I was regular again. 

This is another item I won’t go on a trip without, be it to the Uintas, or to 
Guatemala.

 U-75 produced in 2003 on my 27 day expedition incredible fishing for Eastern brook trout, one you see below.  
 This was a heavy bodied brookie 17″ long.  Don’t know about the weight.

Two years later I was back and caught the brookie seen below which measured 21 inches long, but emaciated and ready for the grave.  The cycle for U-75 ended in 2005.  Since then it has gone through two more 5 year cycles.
Lakes planted by airplane are usually done  following a cycle of 5 years.  So if you get to a lake at the beginning of the cycle, you will only see fingerlings that have been planted by airplane and fishing won’t be good.  On the other hand, if you get to a lake at the end of the cycle, you might just catch large fish.  

2016 seemed to be  the beginning of the cycle as I could only see tiny fish & besides just focusing on my main objective had me so fatigued at the end of each day that I just didn’t  bother wetting a line.  Maybe 2019-20 will be a year when the long hike in would payoff!

NOW TO THE ASSAULT ON 
“LITTLE ANDY LAKE”

 My pack just had water, food, RAIN GEAR, CAMERA &  EMERGENCY ITEMS ALREADY EXPLAINED TO MONITOR MY VITAL SIGNS, plus SPOT TRACKER & SATELLITE PHONE.

I leave below lake U-75, after getting  through steep boulder fields.

I gradually worked my way up the ravine that I  had thought would have a little stream coming out of the lake.  As it worked out, it was mostly underneath the boulder fields.


Getting some photographs of a pair of Arctic Ptarmigan, made the steep climb a bit more interesting.
They were found at an elevation higher than the summit of Mt. Timpanogos.

As seems to be the case in nature, the male is the most colorful.  The female more adaptable to hiding and blending in with the terrain.

As I got closer, and higher, the wind was biting and very cold, and once in a while there were snow flakes in the air.
 I finally came over a rise and there it was in the distance at the foot of South Kings Peak.  
 As I got closer I could see that the dry year had dried up the shallow end of the lake, revealing what looked like dry mud flats, and my joke over the last couple of years about “finding a swamp,” seemed to have come true!   But, as I have said–like on KSL OUTDOORS, 
“IT’S MY SWAMP & THE ONLY ONE I’VE GOT!
Closer examination and zooming in show that we aren’t seeing a mud flat, rather rocks covered by sediment and water growth that has dried, but there is a deeper portion of the lake as we see by zooming in from Google Earth. 
 So it’s not so bad after all and it might be a good idea to have the DWR plane drop a few trout in next year…….in old man’s talk I’m talking to you guys at Utah FISH & GAME!   

We are here at an elevation 550 ft. higher than the summit of Mt. Timpanogos.

NOW THE GOOD FORTUNE! I’ll insert here a photograph of Little Andy Lake taken by Elisabeth Johanson from South Kings Peak, just sent to me today, September 2nd, 
 and then zoom in some.

This is a wonderful photograph showing that Little Andy Lake really isn’t a “swamp” as I have talked about  jokingly…like on KSL Outdoors, but does show that the level has dropped a lot due to the dry year, but a fairly deep portion remains.  
On the left is seen the long Painter Mountain, dominated by Trail Rider Peak, then in the middle 11,780 ft. Trail Rider Pass, with Lake Atwood in the background.  To the right of the Pass is seen 11,745 ft. high Beard Lake (U-74), then in the right background 13,440 ft. Mt. Emmons, with Mt. Jedediah’s 13,387 peak on the extreme right.
Special thanks to Elisabeth Johanson for the photograph taken from South Kings Peak (13,512 ft. 2nd highest in Utah).

Zooming in…..

 Here we zoom in a bit on 12,302 ft. high Little Andy lake,  with
 Beard Lake just barely seen on the extreme right–a zoomed in view of Beard Lake is shown in a couple of pictures, along with the record brook trout that fell there for my Thomas Cyclone Spoon.
But first let’s zoom in just a little more….

But, the weather was closing in on me and I didn’t want to have to navigate some steep, rocky areas if wet with rain and snow–so did what I had to do and then headed quickly for camp…..I actually forgot the SPOT Tracker, until about 150 yards down from the lake, but remembered just in time.
I checked the oxygen and found it at 82, about the same as had been the case at Gunsight Pass, and immediately headed down the mountain, seeing along the way my old buddy, OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAINS, in much worse shape than me.


OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN on Trail Rider Pass in 2005, early in the season with gale force winds blowing.

 Along the way I focused on Trail Rider Pass, seeing on the other side Lake Attwood, with Beard Lake on the extreme right.

 Zooming in a bit.


And, zooming in a lot on Beard Lake (U-74) right near Trail Rider Pass.  It was in this alpine lake that I hooked the brook trout seen below that I have calculated would easily have been a Utah State record,  if I could have got him out of the water and to a certified scale! The present record is 7.5 lbs. from the Boulder Mountains…..I calculate this one, at least 28″ long,  as much as several lbs. heavier.

I got back to camp just as the snow was beginning to fall and took refuge in my tent and did some reading & resting, grateful for having achieved my objective of getting to “Little Andy Lake,” 
 The next morning, day 5, I waited for the sun to warm things up and melt some snow, and then packed up and was on my way, determined to do the 8 miles and get to the Dollar Lake area for my last night.  
 I bid farewell to Mt. Jedediah, and was on my way.
By around noon the sky gave all the signs that I was in for some weather that day, but I was ready for it.

As I hiked towards  Gunsight Pass, I looked back and saw the area I had been in shrouded in the weather, and also wondered about the kids who maybe were up high on those mountains trying to achieve their objective–and said repeatedly a prayer for them…a prayer that seems to have been answered.   I prayed for me too, as I was pretty tired and having a tough time.

 The weather looking east, where I had been on Backpack #2 was also closed in.
As I plodded along, I entertained myself with prayer, and reviewing out loud some of the greater spiritual experiences of my life–and I more than once prayed that the storm be “held back just a little” so I could get up and over the pass.  I felt the presence of the Lord, and was grateful for being given the strength & weather good enough to keep going.


Maybe it was a lack of faith, but several times, just to be safe, I put on my rain pants, my Mountain Hardware jacket, with rain parka over it, and got out the rain cover for my pack.–and then moved along.

Anticipating bad weather ahead of time is an important skill to help one get properly dressed in time, and getting  your tent set up before the storm hits.
I finally got to the Highline Trail junction, and removed my pack to rest a little and take a few pictures.
Fox Queant Pass, conquered a few weeks ago, is seen enshrouded in tough weather, as is North Pole Pass.

Looking back again at where I had been…..and grateful as it seemed like I was leaving the storm path behind me.

Soon I was past the forked trail and climbing the pass, and got over it and down the other side without actually being rained or snowed on.  


There were many storms, but they would move through quickly and be gone.  I had wanted to get to the Dollar Lake area, but it didn’t look like I would make it as the night was coming on, so when I saw water down below the trail, I turned off and located a spot for my tent with the opening pointing south which I needed for the satellite phone signal in the morning for my call to 
KSL OUTDOORS.

My prayer to hold back the storm to get my tent set up worked, and so I pushed it wanting just a little more time to run down and get some water and have my gravity purifying system working……and just as I got it all done…THE RAIN, SLEET and SNOW all of a sudden broke lose from the heavens–but I was snugly into my little abode with enough water to mix up a couple of egg nogs & munches that would be my dinner and breakfast. 

The morning came……

 On Saturday at 6:20 AM had a great call with KSL OUTDOORS. Click for 
KSL OUTDOORS PODCAST Aug. 28th.   
 I then snuggled into my sleeping quilt again and waited for the sun to warm everything….BUT IT NEVER HAPPENED!

In my hurry the evening before I had forgot to position the tent to get the first rays of sunlight in the morning & was in deep shade….so finally just got up,  packed up and headed down the trail.

Nearby other campers had left a mess…..but at least gathered it up into their fire-pit. They should have burned what they could, and carried out the rest.
 
LET ME SAY,  THIS VIOLATES THE FIRST LAW OF THE WILDERNESS:
LEAVE NO TRACE! 
As I shouldered my pack, I got the last shot of KINGS PEAK….

….but vowed to be back to the Henry’s Fork Basin next year–a panorama of which we see below, and focus just on the many lakes of the basin I’d like to visit one more time…..Like G-98, and especially Cliff Lake, the most remote in the basin.  

That will include getting to the northern base of Castle Peak, seen below,  where mysterious Castle Lake is found.

In 2017 there will also be first another warm-up backpack into the Grandaddies, and likely another to Crater Lake to finally get that “perfect” shot of one of the most exotic and spectacular scenes in Utah we see below.


As I headed down the trail, all of a sudden I heard:


“HEY CORDELL, I FOUND YOU!”
Nathan Gibbons, went on saying, 
“I’ve been following your SPOT Tracks all week, and knowing you’d be here, I jumped in my car and came running up the trail 8 miles to meet you!” 

While we talked, all of a sudden we were joined by two young ladies, Cameo White and Janae Welling.   Their emails indicate “ldschurch.org” so, were they missionaries on their “P Day,” or seminary teachers?  Hey gals, tell me what the deal is.
 Whatever, it was nice meeting them, along with Nathan and they helped us out by taking a picture of me and Nathan with my camera, seen below.
Soon I was back to the huge Spruce in the Dollar Lake area.
With a unique backpacker coming up the trail…..
In the area I was looking for a memorable spot that I had got to in mid-September 2004, in fact a SACRED SPOT which is seen below:

WHAT HAPPENED HERE TO MAKE IT “SACRED?”

In mid-summer 2004 my “motorcycle knee” was operated on.  Six weeks later I was determined to do a special backpack camping out near  Andersons Pass under the eastern shadow of Kings Peak.  My 3rd day had me day hiking down to U-75 lake, but along the way I became very sick, with high fever, an acute digestive component, headache, etc. but made it to U-75, took one cast and decided I had to focus on survival–getting back up to my camp where I had emergency medications, etc.

That climb back up was a faith filled experience and I was deeply grateful for having made it and started an emergency anti-biotic.  I laid there two days letting it  begin taking effect but on the 3rd day I had to get out of there as snow was on its way–by then it was September.  

That afternoon I did a test to see if I might be ready to make the move in the morning.  I started a hike up to Anderson’s Pass, didn’t feel good and turned back to rest 2 more hours, and then made it to the pass  and took the picture at sunset when….

.….”the whole mountain turned to gold!”  
In the morning  I packed up knowing I had to move carefully in hopes that the sickness wouldn’t notice it had a great opportunity to knock me down for the count.  I had to hike the 8 miles to the Dollar Lake area, and then hope to do the remaining 8 miles the next day. I made it down to level terrain, but turned my ankle, and so was limping with both legs, and as I climbed Gunsight Pass entertained myself listening to Dan Rather, on my tiny radio, lie about George Bush, ruining Dan’s career!
I made it over the pass and to the spot above and set up camp, believing I was like, “Home free!”  On the sat phone I called the family letting them know I was alright.
But, I was having a hard time resting as every time I would dose off I would suddenly awake unable to breath.  By around 10 PM  I was imagining how long it would take me to get to the Trailhead the next day, when…..ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE KNIVES WERE BEING JAMMED INTO MY HEART!  I grabbed my chest putting pressure on believing that it would burst without containing it.  As the unbearable pain continued I cried out a simple and desperate prayer, 
“Father in Heaven, too many people are dependent on me and I have to hike out of here tomorrow.   PLEASE HELP ME!”
At that instant I felt my heart literally jumping around inside my chest….and IT WAS OVER!
I carefully let up the pressure on my chest and finally removed my hands.  
The next day it took me all day to do the 8 miles, but I made it and was alive, and since, at the Cardiologist’s suggestion, have carried constantly a little packet with aspirin, Nitro Glycerin, and extra blood pressure medication. 

THE SPOT I FOUND & PHOTOGRAPHED ABOVE IS SACRED GROUND FOR ME! 
***************************************8
Back to 2016, I continued down the trail passing the Dollar Lake area……………and looked back up towards the pass, with Gilbert Peak, on the left, 3rd highest in Utah at 13,442 ft.,   and grateful for having been able to do as well as I did in my 81st year.

Remembering  all the special experiences had in this whole area, and feeling a renewed gratitude to the Lord……

…….I found the  wonders & visions of nature  even more amazing as I hurried down the trail.
WOW!

 Soon a backpacker approached coming up the trail slowly.  He introduced himself as 
DARRYL CHRISTOFFELSZ from Calsbad, California.

Nathan came down the trail and joined the conversation with Darryl…….
…….and took my picture along with Darryl.

 Darryl is a member of THE HIGH POINTERS CLUB, dedicated to climbing the highest point in each of the states, having already done 42 states, but with the tough ones remaining.  He was making his 5th attempt at Utah’s Kings Peak.  Each previous time stopped due to some problem, like once in October with a couple of feet of snow.
Apparently he was having some difficulties at 57, even with only a backpack weighing 22 lbs. and wondered how the heck I was able to do what I was doing being 80 years old?
“Did you smoke or drink?”  he asked.
Hearing my reply that such have never interested me, he pressed for what my secrets were, and I replied telling him I have revealed pretty well everything in a long article on my website, entitled:
 ANTI-AGING CHALLENGE:  Fun, Humorous, Tough but Wonderful Journey

 I went on to explain to Darryl, and Nathan, 
“I take a lot of stuff, but something is working so well that I’m afraid to leave any of it.  Once I started experimenting stopping one item at a time and noticing the results, and with some didn’t feel an effect, but there were 5 or 6 that made such a difference I got back on them quick, and before I sacrifice any of them, I would rather sacrifice my Mt. Dew or eating!” 
THE ESSENTIAL SIX! 

1.  COD LIVER OIL – has solved the arthritis problem that was making me a cripple at 49!
2. HGH stimulator.…Human Growth Hormone stimulator taken daily at night–HGH SURGE, has been a major contributor turning the aging process around!
3. CALCIUM/MAGNESIUM taken at night, sometimes with extra magnesium as a relaxant to avoid cramps & irritable leg syndrome,  as it helps one sleep better and  much more.  I’ve been taking this for years resulting in the Dr. who did my hip replacement remark that my bones “were the hardest” he had ever seen. They couldn’t saw off the ball joint end of the femur, but had to take it off in  4 pieces with a hammer and chisel!
3. TESTOSTERONE activator….ANDRO 400 MAX, taken daily for increased energy, stamina  & mood–said to be “the cornerstone of men’s health.” 
4. Tiny tablet daily of Hyaluronic Acid & Collagen“MOVE FREE ULTA: Triple Action,” replacing the previous Glucosamine/Chondroiton/MSM I had taken for years.
5. Immune System double whammy taken daily as my multi-vitamin/mineral & “recovery program:”  Wellness Formula capsules, & Defense Plus tablets, plus Calcium/magnesium gel caps, & Glutamine.
6. EXERCISE…daily, plus ONE HEAVY DUTY ONE/weekly!  …..such as I have done in September, with Pioneer Timber Slide explorations, climbing Squaw Peak, plus others that will continue weekly and be reported on….

JOKINGLY I SAY MY GOAL IS….
“BEING 80+, LOOKING LIKE 60, BEHAVING LIKE 30, & WEIGHING LIKE WHEN 20!”
 Doing all the above, plus a few minor details,  has seemingly boosted me to a higher level I never thought possible for an old guy!  I hope & pray that a few can be blessed by all of this, just as I have been.  
Hope to meet you on the trail…..

Cordell M Andersen


  Then we were invaded by an armed group.
….of Arctic Ptarmigan hunters led by Johnny Clare.

September 13, 2016 …..  just heard from Johnny, who says:

Dear Cordell,
Please forgive me for not writing sooner.  I saw the pictures you posted of your trip.  Thank you for including my friends and me.  I used one as my Facebook profile picture.
I enjoyed reading the articles on your website and the pictures are fantastic!  Next year we are planning on going to Cliff Lake.  I hope to see you on the trail.
Your friend,

Johnny 

I told them where I had seen Ptarmigan on this trip and previous ones and told them to keep an eye on my website and I’d include some pictures and description of where they were seen….but basically it was in alpine tundra between 11,500 and  12,000 ft.  It would be one tough hunt, with little to show for it, except some great exercise and seeing many beautiful 

“visions of nature.”  

The hunters hurried down the trail, as had Nathan, leaving me with Darryl.

Darryl expressed profound gratitude for our chance meeting, and felt like my example, and what I’ve written about “longevity secrets”  would be a great blessing in his life, and that it was almost like “divine intervention” that we had met. 
I hope and pray he will take seriously my “secrets!” 

  Down the trail three young ladies, Kim, Christina & Cambria,  stopped to say hello, as I was resting at the moment.  They, as almost everybody else wondered about what the heck I was doing up there.  I got names and emails for some, but passed out my business cards to all, and hope they will email me, and check out the website.  
The middle one, Christina Ogrin, emailed me today and reported that two out of the three made it to the peak.  Kim has since emailed me too.  Thanks to both. I’ll insert below emails from Chrisina & Kim:

Hi Cordell!
It was great meeting you on the trail last Saturday afternoon.  I am one of the 3 girls (the one in the middle of your pictures)  that stopped for a little chat as we made our way to Dollar Lake.  You gave us your card to email you, so I wanted to let you know how the rest of our trip went.  We were very much inspired by your story and I just listened to your report on KSL as well as read your latest report on your website. We are looking forward to reading your book when you finish it!  
We ended up hiking to the peak on Saturday instead of Sunday morning as we originally planned.  It was a long and exhausting day of hiking, but Kim and I made it.  It was a little too much for Cambria though.  She made it just past Gunsight Pass.  We were lucky to have made it before any storms caught up to us.  This was my first time hiking in the Uinta’s, and I will definitely be back for some more backpacking and hiking.  Last year I started a 52 Hike Challenge to get myself out in the mountains more.  I achieved that goal last November, and didn’t stop after that. This year I did the same challenge and King’s Peak was my 52nd hike for this year.  It was quite the achievement for me, and everyone I met on the trail made it extra special.  I hope to still be out exploring the wilderness when I am 81 as you do!  
Happy Hiking!
Christina Ogrin   
********************************
Hi Cordell – Thanks for the reply, I did see that post actually, and I now see you list my friend Christina Ogrin on it. 🙂 We hope you can send us copies of the pics you took of us 3 gals backpacking up to Dollar Lake. Congrats on such a great hike and story!
Kim

**********************************

 There were dozens of others I didn’t talk to or take pictures of–as it would have been  just too time consuming.  

Finally got down to Elkhorn Crossing, and a bit below a handsome couple from Montana I had talked to the day before stopped to talk a little, and I was able to get this wonderful picture of two wonderful athletes. 

I thought I had got their names, but I’m afraid I lost pages that started falling out of my ledger.  But they got my card and I hope they will contact me and become High Uinta Friends. 
RECEIVED THEIR EMAIL….WHAT A RELIEF, as I didn’t want to forget
 Brant and Jennell Humphrey, from Helena, MONTANA
************************************

Speed & Power.
1455147063474_logo
Brant Humphrey, MS, CSCS, FMSC
Director of Performance
Fundamental Athlete Sports Training

406-502-1901

****************************
Thanks, Brant & Jennell  for contacting me and assuring our  
“HIGH UINTA FRIENDSHIP!”
I’m not surprised at all  about your business….as both of you are
INCREDIBLE ATHLETES!
I’ll now go back to my description done initially:
They referred to something that had worried me the day before when seeing them.  As I was coming down the pass at about 5:30 three young men, obviously on a day hike, only with wind breakers, passed me saying they were going to climb Kings Peak.  That worried me  as  at best it would take them until 7:30 to scale the peak, and then in the dark, rain and maybe snow,  have to come all the way back to their camp between the pass and Dollar Lake.

My Montana friends said they had seen them on Andersons Pass late at about 6:35  and being late & with bad weather, they had decided it not wise to scale the peak, but rather decided to work back to Henry’s Fork Basin by going down the “chute,” mentioned previously.  So, at least they would have been going down, rather than up into the teeth of a storm and the jaws of Kings Peak!

I meant to ask them about Montana and tell them how I used to love my fishing trips on the Beaverhead River near Dillon, Montana…which I will soon be doing again.  I actually tried to hike pretty fast to catch up to them….but apparently fast for this old guy was pretty slow compared to this athletic couple…so I never saw them again…and hope they will make contact……

…..which of course they did.  THANKS BRANT!

P.S.  When I get some pictures from them, I’ll insert them here:


Down the trail I was passed by a number mountain runners who had left the Trailhead early, and were almost back after a run of 32 miles in tough terrain  at high altitude….all done the same day….which for me is awe inspiring!

Soon I was in the Lodgepole pine belt, where the tie hackers did their heroic work 150 years ago.  

We need those tough tie hackers  again to do a little thinning!


Soon it was heartening to get into the Quaking Aspen  belt, knowing that I was getting close to the Trailhead.

Then a father, who said he had climbed Kings Peak a number of times, came up the trail with his two kids who he was helping to also do the Peak.

 Once again I seem to have lost their names,  but did leave a card and hope they will contact me as I want to give them a photograph to remember this special experience.
HOLD ON..JUST HEARD FROM THEM
 I did have the father’s name, but didn’t recall who it was. 
He is JAKE HIRSCHI with the following report followed by their pictures:

Cordell,
Nice to meet you on the trial last weekend. 
We spent one night at Dollar Lake and headed for Kings early the next morning. 
y 9 and 10 year old made it to the top of Kings Peak by 11:30am. We then stomped all the way out to the car that day by 8:30 PM just as darkness closed in.  We easily made it home that night in time for school on Monday morning. Mom was impressed. 
First mountain peak for my 9 year old. She did great on this long trek. My 10 year old had done Mt Ogden 2 time and Ben Lomond 1 time before. They both helped motivate each other. 
I took the tent, one sleeping bag and one pad and our stove to the peak for safety. We were set for self containment in case of accident or need to help others along the trail. We had good weather and no accidents. Not one trip or fall. Kids did great. Some sore feet but they didn’t seem to mind after a little doctoring

Another email from Jake introduced me to his kids….now with names as seen below.

 Here I am with Jake’s kids:  GRACE, 9, and ISAAC, 10

 Grace & Isaac fooling around and getting ready  to climb KINGS PEAK, seen in the background.

 Jake, justly proud of his two climbing companions on top of Utah’s world!


 I’m not sure whether this foot belongs to Grace or Isaac?

 JAKE’S REPLY this morning, September 3rd:

You are an inspiration for them and for me. Hope to follow in your well traveled footsteps.  They remembered the exact spot on the trail where they met you while we were hiking out the following day. They referred to our “trail buddy” (that’s you) many times along our journey. 
Hope our paths cross again. 
Happy trails,
Jake

Since I’m now the kid’s “TRAIL BUDDY” I’ll insert a picture of me also on top of Utah’s world,  back on my 27 day expedition” in 2003:

Now, down the trail, anxious to get to the Trailhead
Met more new High Uinta Friends, Kevin Park & friend,  at the junction where the trail takes off to Alligator Lake.  Kevin has emailed me and I have emailed him this picture as I will for any photographed on this wonderful backpacking experience in our wonderful Wilderness.

We all admired the sign made by someone and hope that the Forest Service will take the hint! 

 More mountain runners….now walking almost as much as jogging, but I don’t blame them a bit!

 It was August 27th, and all along the trail signs of summer coming to an end were colorfully visible.

I was very grateful for having been able to finish off my summer of backpacking  by achieving my goal of getting to LITTLE ANDY LAKE, & in a sense finishing the backpacking/exploration portion of my Project…..although backpacks will continue each summer, gradually filling in the gaps with explorations into areas that have escaped me.

REMEMBER JUST HOW HIGH 
LITTLE ANDY LAKE IS!


HIGH ALTITUDE SICKENSS?
It was avoided due to several critical factors: 
 1. Having done heavy duty workouts all winter & spring, had me STRONGER;  2.  LOSING 26 lbs. following a special diet to lose fat, rather than muscle;  
3.  Persisting with my special supplements designed to STRENGTHEN MY IMMUNE SYSTEM, & COUNTER-ACT THE AGING PROCESS;  
4.  Taking DIAMOX, that helps speed up the acclimatization process; 
5.  Monitoring my vitals with Blood Pressure gauge & Oximeter, and at times resting a little more than usual to give my body time to acclimatize before continuing.

************************************************************
EXCITED WITH THE NEW FOCUS OF MY PROJECT
 I will now  begin serious efforts of putting together the unique book which will be much more than a guide book for hikers, but will….let me insert here what I told several on  Backpack #1 into the Grandaddies:
It will be  an E- book with lots of the stunning color of the Uintas none of which is seen in any of the guide books.  Yes, it would be a guide  book for hikers and backpackers, but much more mixing throughout  the incredible history, the fascinating legends and myths of gold & Big Foot, and, I asked, “Do you know about the tie hackers?”  They shook their heads, and I described these “unsung heroes of the Uinta’s North Slope without whom the West might not  have been won!”   I went on mentioning Tom “Bear River” Smith, President Eisenhower’s hero from Abelene, Kansas, and Beartown, where Tom got his nick-name, which tie hacker/railroad town was described as 
 “The liveliest if not the most wicked town in America!”
 all tied to the Uintas, and much more that will be in the book, with special emphasis on SURVIVAL, telling the stories of those who didn’t make it, and WHY…
……then my personal survival experiences, and lessons learned 
that will save many
 lives, 
plus enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the Uintas.  They were wide eyed and seemingly pretty interested and said, 
Their reaction?

 “WOW….You’d better get to it before it’s too late!”
**************************

“I WILL NOW FOCUS ON THAT!”
*****************************************

THE ASSAULT ON “LITTLE ANDY LAKE” and being ABUNDANTLY BLESSED WHILE HOPEFULLY BLESSING OTHERS! And, the ACID TEST OF MY RESOLVE TO “NOT GIVE IN….EASILY!”


Previous Post

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. 
********************************

UPDATES ARE BEING MADE DAILY AS MY “FRIENDS” SEND ME PHOTOS & DETAILS–which I’m posting,  like from:
Cesar de la Cruz Santos, Paula & Wade, Elisabeth Johanson & crew, John Sowell, Nathan Gibbons, Christina Ogrin, Kevin Parks, Jake Hirschi & kids, Grace & Isaac,  Brant & Jennell Humphrey, & Linda Turner….and I expect more soon


LITTLE ANDY LAKE
“The highest lake in Utah”

Note:  It looks sort of low down & humble in this picture from 13,512 ft. South Kings Peak taken by my friend Elisabeth Johanson, but…..
PERSPECTIVE:  Little Andy Lake  is 550 ft. higher than Mt. Timpanogos that looms over Utah Valley, 409 ft. higher than Gunsight Pass we will see in the report–which pass is also 141 feet higher than Timp.  Mt. Jedediah that looms over it in the extreme right, 13,387 ft. high, is 1,085 ft. above LAL, & 1,635 ft. higher than Timp. 


“Little Andy’s Olympics”

Maybe I should say “ParaOlympics”

Backpack #3-2016 Aug. 22-27 On the HIGH UINTAS North Slope
HENRY’S FORK TRAILHEAD (9,426 elevation) >Gunsight Pass (11,893 ft.)>
Highline Trail>U-75 lake (11,402 ft)>“Little Andy Lake”–The Uintas highest lake at 12,302 ft.>back to U-75 lake>Back to Gunsight Pass>to Henry’s Fk Basin> Timberline camp before Dollar Lake> Return to  Henry’s Fk Trailhead> .
Note: Camp #1 to Camp #5  all above 11,000 ft. timberlineTOTAL MILES = 36 miles in 6 days

*****************************

The “Culminating Chapter” HOW AN 80 YEAR OLD OVERCAME “GLITCHES” LIKE:

“3rd worst backpacker among the 3 originals,” Cancer, Heart attack, Worn out “Football ankle,” Deteriorated “Motorcycle Knee,” Nasal obstruction–breathing problem, “Cripple” with worn out ankle, knee, hip & pinched nerve, “Metatarsalgia” in feet, “Peripharal Neuropathy” in feet, High Altitude Sickenss, & some said “being quixotic Crazy!”

********************************
SPOT  Satellite Tracker link: SPOT
Note:  My 1st SPOT track at the Trailhead starting point didn’t work, so the 1st SPOT track is where I got to the 1st day
*************************************
THE PHOTO/ESSAY WITH BACKGROUND HISTORY OF THE EFFORT TO GET TO
“LITTLE ANDY LAKE”
The actual HIGH UINTAS WILDERNESS PROJECT began in 2003, but really got its start in 1952 when my family moved from California to Provo, Utah, and soon afterwards Ted Packard and Charlie Peterson invited me to “The Grandaddies” beginning my 64 year relationship with the HIGH UINTAS. Below, to the left are the three of us in September 1954 after a two week backpack traversing what then was THE HIGH UINTAS PRIMATIVE AREA.
Ted & Charlie were always better backpackers than me, in spite of me considering myself an athlete even being Provo High School’s All-State Football Candidate in my senior year–when I was nick-named 
“Little Andy”..
…but, in the Uintas I more often than not found myself  in the prone position as seen on the right above…..and it isn’t a stretch to imagine me doing that much more now in my 81st year (I’m 80, but in “my 81st year”).  Nevertheless, I fell in love with the Uintas and swore then that 
“Sooner or later I will explore, photograph and report on the entire area,” 
“The area” doubled in size when in 1984 it was designated the 
HIGH UINTAS WILDERNESS AREA

From 1967 to 2002 I dedicated my life in Guatemala among the Mayans in a gigantic personal/family effort to save and help as many as possible (http://www.guatemalanfoundation.org/)….and it involved a lot of hard work with my plantation, dairy, and then coffee farm….. that kept me in pretty good shape, in addition to the dangers from guerrillas and criminals that forced me to be strong–always ready and able to either fight or flee.    In the closing years I anticipated returning to Utah and making good on my vow with the Uintas, and so increased my work-outs, hiking 4 miles around my farm 2-3 times a week with a hundred pound bag of fertilizer on my back!
So,  in 2002 I returned to the U.S. and in 2003 began what I called….. 

THE HIGH UINTAS WILDERNESS PROJECT
….beginning with a 27 day, 236 mile–no re-supply–backpack across the Wilderness begining with  83 lbs. on my back and around my waist, then  continued now for 14 years with around 1,900 miles of exploration….so far.  
Most of those years I became associated with Russ Smith/SKYCALL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS, and 
Tim Hughes at 
KSL OUTDOORS radio giving satellite phone reports from the Uintas.
Then, a couple of years ago, Tim & Russ suggested that a lake in the Uintas be given my name.  The search was on for a no-name, no-number lake nobody would care about, and I found one under the eastern shadow of South Kings Peak, and named it 
“LITTLE ANDY LAKE”
As it worked out, the small lake turned out to be what I’m told is 
“the highest lake in the Uintas &  in Utah!” 
By that time in 2014, being 78 years old,  backpacking was becoming a bit more difficult and I even mentioned on my website that getting to it would perhaps have to be done by some “young bucks” who would have to do me the favor……but, then…
 …I experienced a renewal with better health & physical stamina and decided I had to do it myself!

 So, during the 2015 backpacking season, I made my first attempt with the plan of going from the Uinta River Trailhead and ascending the Atwood Trail up to Trail Rider Pass and U-75 lake, but at the trailhead found a Forest Service notice that the trail was closed by a “FLY OVER” by helicopters working on the dam at Lake Atwood…..
…..so the first effort FAILED, due to the Forest Service.

A couple of weeks later I was back at the Uinta River Trailhead and ascending the Atwood Trail.
A PROBLEM: As I have got older, and, when adding to that weakness, due to sickness or excessive fatigue, I began experiencing HIGH ALTITUDE SICKNESS, and such was the case in this attempt up the Attwood Trail when getting  near timberline, with tough Robert’s Pass ahead of me & then further along, Trail Rider Pass.  My blood pressure was up, and I noticed all of a sudden an irregular heart beat–that I used to have, but which I thought had been overcome.  So, not feeling well, and with worrisome vitals,  indicating High Altitude Sickness, I decided it was wise for me to to retreat down the trail.  So my 2nd attempt to get to “Little Andy Lake” failed….this time MY FAULT!  

FINDING A WAY……..
Of course I wasn’t about to give up and came up with a plan that might work.  The other approach to the Kings Peak/Little Andy Lake area, was the Henry’s Fork Basin on the North Slope.  The Trailhead beginning point was 1,000 feet higher than the Uinta River Trailhead, and there was a gradual climb, giving time for acclimitazion as I scaled just one pass, Gunsight Pass. 
 So, on August 19th I was at the Henry’s Fork Trailhead to make my 3rd attempt getting to Little Andy Lake.  I made it to Elkhorn Crossing and camped, hopefully giving my body time to acclimatize.  I continued the next day going by the Dollar Lake area and continued to above timberline where I hoped to camp and wait until the next day to climb Gunsight Pass…….but………it was there that “the silent killer” attacked again.

So, wisdom had me descending…..which I did going back to Elkhorn Crossing, and the next day back to the Trailhead.

That backing off….again, proved fortunate as it had me meeting up with an old friend, Teresa…..who when she saw me, screamed:
 She had seen on the internet the obituary of CORDELL M ANDERSEN, who died a few years ago  in St. Louis!
But, I assured her she wasn’t seeing a ghost.

SO…..BACK TO THE STRATEGY BOARD…...
……outlining a STRATEGY TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE for success in 2016.

The “strategy” during the remainder of 2015 and winter/spring 2016 was basically to workout everyday and get much stronger.  So, with pack on my back–full of rocks & containers full of water, I was on the streets of American Fork, Utah every day, along with other exercises, and achieved losing 26 lbs. to get down to my weight when I was 20 years old.
With the backpack,  rather than the weighted vest, I had fun meeting a few good hearted people who stopped to offer me money and rides, like, Spencer, on the left, and Lincoln & his mom, Vilma, on the right. I’d tell them, 

“Thanks, for being such good hearted people, but I’m not homeless, rather an eccentric millionaire out getting my exercise….and meeting my goal of:
BEING 80+, LOOKING LIKE 60, BEHAVING LIKE 30, & WEIGHING LIKE WHEN 20!”
*************************************
WEIGHT?
Let me comment on this critical item…I mentioned losing 26 lbs. of body fat.  How important is it?  I have calculated it for the half-marathons I used to run every year…and will again in May 2017 in Guatemala, in my 82nd year.  I figure that I take more or less 26,000 steps during the 13 miles, and with having lost 26 lbs. each step lifts 26 lbs. less, for a total during the race of 676,000 pounds LESS!
Add to all of that incredible amount of energy saved, I now use the lightest weight mountain running shoes pictured below…of the Saloman brand.

Each shoe, compared to the lightweight Salomon hiking books I used to wear, weighs 8 oz. less multiplied by 26,000 steps, comes to an additional 13,000 lbs. less weight lifted, for a grand total of 688,000 lbs. less weight lifted over the 13 miles.  I averaged about 6 miles a day on this backpack, which comes out lifting 317,538 lbs. less every day–a total for the 6 days almost 2,000,000 lbs.  less weight my body had to lift!  
SIGNIFCANT?  YOU’D BETTER BELIEVE IT!
Any additional weight that can be eliminated will just enhance the whole experience, making possible such efforts for an old guy like me.  
Otherwise, I likely wouldn’t be able to do it!

WARM UP BACKPACKS
Two were done in June & July to help me be prepared, and then…..
…..I WAS READY FOR:

Backpack #3-2016 Aug. 22-27 On the HIGH UINTAS North Slope
>U-75 lk (11,402 ft) >The Uintas highest lake at 12,302 ft.>

********************************

GOING ALONE ON SUCH AN ADVENTURE? …..NEVER!  
UNLESS YOU TAKE THE PRECAUTIONS LISTED BELOW:

 SOME OF THE ESSENTIALS FOR ACHIEVING PURPOSE:
This obviously isn’t a complete list…..but let me say a word about two items…on the left and on the right:
On the left:  Topographical maps, with elevation profiles, plus National Geographic High Uintas Wilderness Map, and prints of Google Earth.

On the right:  Blister preventing socks next to your skin.  I tire of hearing even experienced backpackers, mountaineers, marathoners, etc.  talk about getting blisters.  Since I started using “blister preventing socks” I have never had a blister–during the 14 year Uinta Project, and  during 14 consecutive years  running the International Half Marathon in Coban, Guatemala!

NOW THE CRITICAL ESSENTIALS
 The SPOT PERSONAL SATELLITE TRACKER…..
…..or other similar devices to signal to family and friends each day one is OK, and a Google Earth view exactly where you are–and of course if the Emergency arrises, hit the 911 button to have Search & Rescue on the way. No one should go alone without such a device, and I believe each group should have one.

NOTE:  Eric Robinson, 64 year old Australian adventurer went missing in the High Uintas 6 years ago, and during my backpack his remains were found. He had a personal satellite tracking device, but DIDN’T USE IT!
He was likely saving it for an emergency, but it apparently suprised him not giving him time to turn it on and press 911!

SATELLITE PHONE
Once again, I believe this is essential, especially if one goes alone, such as I have done on most of my backpacks over 14 years.  I would also recommend that each group, like Boy Scouts, or Explorer Scouts, have one.  I’m sure the parents would be happy to pay the rental cost.
Note:  Once again, Eric Robinson, didn’t have a satellite phone to keep his loved ones aware of his whereabouts and changes in his schedule…..like somehow getting way off course from the Highline Trail onto the North Slope Alsoop Lake area where his remains were mysteriously found.
 On this adventure Russ Smith, at SKYCALL SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS,, provided the one you see on the left which was very effective in giving my Saturday morning report to KSL OUTDOORS radio , the podcast of which you can listen to at:  PODCAST

BLOOD PRESSURE GAUGE
Due to my history of heart and altitude problems I took with me my lightweight gauge, and used it often to monitor my vitals as I ascended to above timberline and beyond.
AN OXIMETER
It measures the oxygen content of your blood, along with pulse.  My normal oxygen reading  at home was 96.  What would be dangerously low?
In 2006, when on a late season mid-September backpack to Crater Lake I ran into bad weather, was snowed on, and got sick–laying there for several days while the emergency anti-biotic I always take began taking effect.  I then had to get out of there as big-time snow was on its way.  Up on 12,150 foot East Fork Pass a blizzard hit, and everything went wrong……I called Russ Smith on the sat phone as depicted in an above picture, and asked for help.  Soon it was a conference call between me, Russ, the Summit County sheriff, and the U of Utah Rescue unit. I was able to give them my coordinates as I moved down 1,300 ft.  By the time the helicopter got there I was feeling pretty good and joked about them just doing me the favor of taking me to the Trailhead…..or the LaVell Edwards stadium as the BYU game was about to start!  
They insisted on checking my vitals:  Even after resting for 30 minutes my blood pressure was sky high, pulse racing, and oxygen in my blood at 50!  They insisted on taking me out of there.
So:  96 is good, 50 is BAD….in fact a friend told me a corpse has a higher count than 50!

So on this critical backpack I was going to monitor my vitals as I ascended, and pause to acclimatize if I had to.  I also had  DIAMOX, a prescription medication that speeds up acclimatization, taking two tablets/day.

Had with me a print-out of
THE WEATHER REPORT FOR THE WEEK
At least it gave me the idea that I had to go especially prepared for cold, rainy & even snowy weather–including rain pants, waterproof gloves, and of course the normal rain parka, poncho, and warm/lightweight Mountain Hardware jacket. 

THE HENRY’S FORK TRAILHEAD

AS READY AS POSSIBLE!
I actually went with 9 days of food in case acclimatization and/or weather would prolong the trip.  That had my pack heavier than I wanted at about 46-48 lbs.  But, if I deduct the 26 lbs. of body fat I had lost, it was like reducing my backpack load to 20 pounds! I had also trained with a gradually increasing pack weight up to 60 lbs.,  so…..….theoretically I would just float up the trail!
THE CHALLENGE at 80 years old…..
….as I say, vainly,  to be more impressive, “In my 81st year!”
THE “GLITCHES” ALONG THE 1,900 MILES OF BACKPACKING!

1.  In 1994 I was diagnosed with metatarsalgia” a painful problem with the ball of my feet, and told “No more running half-marathons, or backpacking”   but of course I found a way to solve this problem myself, and, as I have reported, gradually cured the problem….except for only a partial cure with the right foot when doing heavy duty running or backpacking, that required extra Cod liver oil, Excedrin, etc.  For this backpack  #3-2016 I modified my lightweight mountain running shoes, with an extra insert with a hole in the ball of the foot area, and it worked for the metatarsalgia” but caused a new problem,  jamming  my toes, especially my big toe that became extremely painful and I only made it back to the Trailhead with adjustments on the trail, but on the last day I was limping  on arrival after my longest day of hiking–around 9 miles,  going mostly downhill. 
2.  In addition, over the 14 years of the Project, every year I had to deal with problems, each in turn with a solution to make possible continuing.  Problems, like:  In 2003, cancerous thyroid removed, & two Mohs surgeries removing cancerous growths on my upper body, plus several radiation treatments over the next few years; Then in 2004 a temporary surgery on my “motorcycle knee,” & eventually, in 2008, reconstruction now with a titanium right knee;  Then from 2004-to the present, coping with the aftermath of a heart attack in 2004;  In 2007,  reconstruction of the “football ankle,” with a tendon transplant and 3 screws holding it together;  Next,  in 2009 “terminate reduction surgery” to make possible better breathing;  Then in 2011  came back surgery due to a pinched nerve that was making me a cripple, installing a device to keep spine straight;  Last of all in 2012 hip replacement with a titanium joint on my left side;  And, as explained lately,  dealing with High Altitude Sickness and its corresponding complications.
3  Last of all from 2012 on “PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY” in my  feet, but which went away when I had a load on my back, motivating me to train usually with a backpack weighing around 40 lbs., and also when jogging with more than normal pressure on my feet that would have me feeling fine.  So, even day hikes required me to have at least 10-15 lbs. of weight on my back.
THIS BACKPACK WOULD BE THE ACID TEST…..OF MY RESOLVE to 
“NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE IN…..EASILY!” 

 This is the first in a series of topographical maps……marking my route, including distances to key places, and elevations.

Note: For any who are new, I’ll insert some interesting historical info taken from my backpack last year up Henry’s Fork.
We are in historic country…..
The trail parallels the Henry’s Fork of the Green River.  This well known land-mark river was named after he who most of his life was known as “Major Andrew Henry,”  but who had actually ascended to  be a brigadier general in the military, and then was elected lieutenant governor of Missouri.  Later he became the partner of General William H. Ashley and  their fur-trading venture on the upper Missouri River and together would go on to revolutionize the Western fur trade with the help of  all the famous mountain-men such as Jim Bridger, Jedediah Smith, and others mentioned below. 
The historic HENRYS FORK OF THE GREEN RIVER  the trail parallels

As we can read in this Historic marker just over the line into Wyoming, it was on the Henry’s Fork where the very first ROCKY MOUNTAIN RENDEZVOUS was held in 1825.
On one of my explorations I made it a point to try and pin-point the exact spot where this famous Rendezvous was held….seen below

A WHO’S WHO OF MOUNTAIN MEN & EXPLORERS

So, here we go up the famous  Henry’s Fork of the Green River.  Once again, as many of the streams coming out of the High Uintas, very seldom if ever fished.  I’m toying with the idea that said “streams of the Uinta” will be my next focus, once I get the “unique book” put together I’m now working on.

Up the trail a horseman approached with his pack horse.  It happens to be one of the many sheepherders tending large flocks in the high country.  Fifty years ago they were usually Basques, from Spain, but now are rather Mexicans, Peuvians and Chileans.

Cesar de la Cruz Santos happens to be from Peru on his way back to his Kings Peak (Painter Basin) camp and herd.  Cesar spends his winters in Bigelow, Wyoming.  Interestingly he gave me his Facebook page, and told me at their camp they had internet!  So he would be able to check out my website with my business card I gave him.  By September 6th they will begin moving their sheep down from the high country.

Here is Cesar’s profile picture on his FACEBOOK page…..

WOW!
We now have an incredible
“Peruvian sheepherder artist/photographer” 
creating beauty from his camp in the eastern shadow of Kings Peak in the Painter Basin!
FELICITACIONES, CESAR!


 Soon we get our first glimpse of KINGS PEAK, Utah highest at 13,528 ft.  The air was a bit smokey, as you’ll see, but not as bad as last year.

Elkhorn Crossing with trails going south to Gunsight Pass & Kings Peak, east to the Beaver Creek Drainage and on to Thompson Pass and to Hoops Lake, etc., and west on the North Slope Highline Trail, with take offs to Henry’s Lake and many others in the basin, on crossing Smiths Fork, Blacks Fork and on to to the East Fork of Bear River.


 The original plan had been to camp out here, at about 10,400 ft.  and give my body time to acclimatize, but my oxygen content was only down to 89, actually up 1 from the 88 at the Trailhead.  After a 20 minute rest the oxygen had risen to 91, and I so decided to go on to the Dollar Lake area.


So up the trail, crossing the bridge, and to the junction on the other side, and from there head south and up into the high country.

 Now,  up out of the canyon with the wonderful panorama of the High Uintas spreading before us:  Gilbert Peak, 13,442 ft (3rd highest); no-name, 13, 263 ft.; Kings Peak, 13,528 ft.; no-name, 13, 260 ft.; etc.

 All the light green vegetation we see are willows.

At Elkhorn Crossing I had a little water left, so decided to go on a mile or so where the maps indicated the trail crossing two small streams, but when I got to them they were dry, and I was out!  There were signs everywhere of this being a dry year for this portion of the Uintas.  I had to push on until getting to the outlet of Dollar Lake we see below. 

 This Forest Service marker prohibiting campfires closer than 1/4 from the lake, indicates the lake is close–actually a little to the east behind the row of pines in the picture.  I chose to be separate from the many who camp there.  Most of them make it here the first day and set up their camp, then the next day  make a round-trip day hike of 16 miles to Kings Peak.

 CAMP # 1 at 10,700 ft. elevation. 
Oxygen at 87, until after taking my recovery supplements, when it rose to 91.  Most of my “recovery” formula was:  
1.  Three Calcium/Magnesium gel caps (studies of marathon runners shorts show that the mineral lost most is Calcium);  
2,  5 gms. of Glutamine (studies among marathoners show, if this is replaced after a race,  the chance of sickness is vastly reduced);  
3.  Then I follow my formula to strengthen the immune system, when one feels you are  on the verge of getting sick (which as an old guy I feel always after a hard day): 6 Wellness Formula capsules;  1 Defense Plus tablet; and suck on Cold-Eeze (same as Zicam Cold Remedy, but better & cheaper).

A little friend near my 1st camp.
*******************
2015 photograph of Castle Peak, with “mysterious” Castle Lake at its base found at the low spot in dead center.   This picture shows there was much  more smoke in the air from forest fires last year.

Up the trail, DAY TWO, getting closer to Kings Peak.
A GIANT Spruce, be it Englemans, or Colorado–which used to be the Utah State tree, up the trail a bit from the Dollar Lake area.
Looking up the trunk through the abundance of branches……and…..
looking down at the massive roots.
 Getting up near timberline, the low spot in the middle of the picture is where no-name lake G-98 is located which originally I had hoped to visit on my way back…..but as you will notice, all the extras listed were left pending a backpack just into the Henry’s Fork Basin for 2017.

 To the right, or west, of G-98 lake, we see Kings Peak and the “chute” some use to get to and from King’s Peak.
 Zooming in on KING’S PEAK,we  just barely see a few hikers scaling the peak.

 Continuing  towards the west we come to the basin where Cliff Lake is found–the most remote lake in the Henry’s Fork Drainage–where I once had an “alligator-like” rush at my spoon that splashed water 20 feet to the shore where I stood.  I still want to get back there….one more time (2017)


 Down the drainage and more to the west from Cliff Lake we see the stream that comes out of Blanchard Lake….a picture of which I’ll insert below looking back towards the Gunsight Pass trail.


Our photograph swing around the basin ends at Castle Peak
 Right at timberline we come to the trail that will take one west to Henry’s Lake and many others in this basin. Our trail continuing towards Gunsight Pass.
 More sheepherders coming down the trail……but they strangely didn’t respond to my greeting in Spanish and veered off trail to keep their distance from me.  Who knows why?  I guess I looked pretty tough!


 As I approached the pass, two backpackers were coming towards me, and I met Paula & Wade Whitlock.
Note:  Remember the low spot–Gunsight Pass is 141 ft. higher than Mt. Timpanogos!
 They were on a very ambitious backpack, having left their car at the Hoop’s Lake Trailhead, way to the northeast,  and from there worked their way up into the high country coming over Divide Pass into the Uinta River Drainage, and then followed the Highline Trail across that drainage, then over Gunsight Pass where we met.  From there they would continue down to Elkhorn Crossing and there take the North Slope Highline Trail taking them through the Beaver Creek Drainage, and over Thompson Pass 11,450 ft. and back to Hoopes Lake.  I calculate the distance at 65 miles.  

Above is the elevation profile of their trip from Hoopes to Hoopes.  WOW!
Congratulations to Paula & Wade. I’ll look forward  to getting a report from them.

To the pass there are two long switchbacks.  We can see two hikers on the first switchback.
There is also a very rough trail that goes right up the ravine, the beginning of which I didn’t like–just a bunch of boulders, so I backed off and started up the switchbacks.
 Now, on to the 2nd switchback! 

It was a good time to see the hearty Mountain Sorrell , a beautiful, delicate plant that grows in very harsh conditions.

The Bluebells were also doing fine.

 Looking back at the Henry’s Fork Basin.

The wind was blowing hard, and it was quite cold, so my gloves felt good as I came right up to the 11,893 ft. pass, with a huge rock karn marking the spot.
 Coming right up the difficult “ravine trail” was a young lady, followed by her companions, and it was great meeting a pretty unique group of youth from Washington, working on climbing the 50 peaks, along with Utah’s Thirteeners.

 Meet  (not necessarily in order), Phebe, Rachel, Ben, Elizabeth, & Naomi JOHANSON, & McChensi McClellan.    They not only were on their way to climb Kings Peak (13,528), but from there follow the ridge south and southeast climbing South Kings Peak (13,312), then continue down the ridge climbing 3 no-name 13,000+ peaks, including 13,387 ft. Mt. Jedediah (I have named), and end at 13,440 ft. Mt. Emmons, and from there hike back to the Henry’s Fork Trailhead–ALL OF WHICH I FIND INCREDIBLE!

 I didn’t want to discourage them, but did mention that it would be miles and miles of boulder hopping, no flat areas to set up tents, only water likely being melting snow, plus they would be right up in the weather that was forecast and did happen as I show further along.  Many times in the next few days they were in my prayers!
I will be anxious to get their report and publish it here.

UPDATE:  September 2, 2016
I just reeived an email from Elisabeth Johanson and some special photographs a few of which I’ll add here, and others later when we get to Little Andy Lake.

 I also expect to receive some details about what Elisabeth  called 
“Our hike up to Kings Peak and across to Mt. Emmons that was amazing!”
As soon as I get more information I’ll add it to this post, and then advise my entire list of “High Uinta Friends.” 

This photo was taken without me realizing it….as I was checking my vitals, seeing that at 11,893 ft. my blood oxygen count was down to  81, the lowest on the trip.  Dropping down to where I camped, where the group was also camped, my oxygen went back up to  92 quickly after taking my “recovery supplements.”  It likely would have normalized even up on the pass by just waiting 30 minutes or so.

Another picture taken of me by Elisabeth as they were dropping down ahead of me, and I was shouldering my pack to follow them.


 As mentioned above, before leaving the pass, I checked my blood pressure, which was fine, and then the oxygen which was 81, the lowest so far. I then shouldered my pack and headed down  from the pass.  Along the way we view the Painter Mountain, on the other side of which are the isolated Painter Lakes, and on this side the arctic tundra  of Painter Basin.

Following the Painter Mountain to the west we come to Trail Rider Pass, 11,780 ft.,  seen faintly in the middle of the photo, with Mt. Emmons in the center,  and Mt. Jedediah, 13,387 ft.–5th highest in Utah,  on the extreme right.  The mountain between those two is a no-name mountain, 13,305 ft. high.

 Once down off the pass you come to a junction.  The right hand fork is the short-cut for those climbing King’s Peak.  The left hand fork, goes out in the middle of the valley and eventually connects onto the Highline Trail.  I came up that trail on my return.

As I came down from the pass I needed water, and a good place to camp as I was pretty tired, and water gone.  I soon found myself in the first Alpine firs where the youthful mountaineers were already camping, and nearby I set up my camp.

 My 2nd CAMP at about 11,400 ft.  with Gunsight Pass in the distance, and Gilbert Peak on the right.  After my recovery my oxygen was up to 92, and blood pressure perfect.

From my camp I followed the trail until it headed straight up the mountain towards King’s Peak.   I then went off trail until I began seeing the rock karns of the Highline Trail………
 ………and there met a lone backpacker coming from the east.

 It was John Sowell, from Colorado, who was another unique backpacker working on doing something most don’t even know about.  He was doing the ENTIRE HIGHLINE TRAIL, including a 30 mile segment from what most think is the eastern end at the Hacking Lake Trailhead, near Leidy Peak, to the Highline Trail’s actual starting point on Utah Highway 191 between Vernal and Flaming Gorge.  I’ll soon make a trip over there to at least get a picture of said starting point of the famous trail.
I knew something about this and once had the plan of doing as he was doing–and even made a series of 14 topographical maps showing the route, distances, etc.   My total distance came to 106.6 miles.  I since have been in email contact with John who met his objective, for which I heartily congratulate him.

I should add that John talked about once, I believe with a son, being on South King’s Peak, and for some reason they decided to go down the mountain, and in so doing passed by Little Andy Lake, and from there dropped down into the Painter Basin, one ravine before the one I went up from U-75 lake.   I thought he maybe had a picture with the LAL included, which he’d send to me so I’d have a picture in case I didn’t make it.   So, I know of at least one person who had in a sense been to the lake…..so I wouldn’t be able to claim to the first
 John took my picture with his camera and emailed it to me–you see above, with Gunsight Pass in the background.
Thanks, John!
Note:  Remember Gunsight Pass is 141 ft. higher than Mt. Timpanogos

 I bid farewell to John, he heading up towards Anderson Pass, and me bushwhacking south, soon with Kings Peak in full view as seen above……..

 ……..and swinging our view a bit to the southwest, Mt. Jedediah is getting closer, my objective for the day being at its base at U-75 lake……

 …..and then directly south looking at Trail Rider Pass, that leads to the George Beard Basin, and then to the Lake Atwood area.  Along the way I began seeing signs of sheep in the area and soon got a shot of some of the herders horses.

Then jumped a few Arctic Ptarmigan, better pictures of which I’d get a day later…….

 …….and then I begin hearing and soon seeing Cesar’s flocks of sheep.

 Crossing the arctic tundra I got a good view of Kings Peak all the way south to Mt. Jedediah…….and beyond.
 ……..and found an OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN still…sort of… in bloom.

Finally made it to U-75 with Mt. Jedediah looming over it.  

 This is one of my favorite pictures from near Trail Rider Pass, looking north at Kings Peak, with no-name U-75 lake in the middle, with a blossoming OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN and Gunsight Pass on the right.

UPDATE: 
I’ll insert below the response by Linda Turner in relation to Mt. Jedediah & the photo/essay:

Cordell, 
Oh my gosh, such beauty, and your writings are so informative. I feel like I was there! Of course, my favorite…the trappers and *Jedediah Mountain. Okay…the whole thing was my favorite.  I especially love the photo with Old Man in the Mountain flowers/clouds/peaks. I hope you make a ‘hard copy book too. 
Well, my new dream and hope is that  someone knows how make it official… ‘Jedediah Mountain’ the 5th tallest in Utah.  I’ll forward your email to the Jedediah Smith Society near Sacramento if you don’t mind, so they can see the mountain and your work sharing the adventures.  Thank you for being you, a very rare and special person. God bless you sweet (and your family), kind, Cordell.. courageous and bright light of the Uinta’s.   
Best always,
Linda Turner
OCTA Crossroads PR
Salt Lake City, Utah 

 I named the mountain in honor of Jedediah Smith, for me one of the very greatest of all the mountain men and explorers of the West.
 Mt. Jedediah is the 5th highest mountain in Utah.

Do you see my camp?


I set up my CAMP  for nights #3 & #4 at one end of lake U-75

For whatever reasons I was having digestive problems, but they were solved by taking Redmond Clay, the powder mixed in a small bottle, with water and left for a couple of hours turning it into a thick, gel-like  mixture, swallowed by the spoonful, with a glass of water afterwards.  Pretty soon I was regular again.  This is another item I won’t go on a trip without, be it to the Uintas, or to Guatemala.
 U-75 produced in 2003 on my 27 day expedition incredible fishing for Eastern brook trout, one you see below.  

 This was a heavy bodied brookie 17″ long.  Don’t know about the weight.

Two years later I was back and caught the brookie seen below which measured 21 inches long, but emaciated and ready for the grave.  The cycle for U-75 ended in 2005.  Since then it has gone through two more 5 year cycles.
Lakes planted by airplane are usually done  following a cycle of 5 years.  So if you get to a lake at the beginning of the cycle, you will only see fingerlings that have been planted by airplane and fishing won’t be good.  On the other hand, if you get to a lake at the end of the cycle, you might just catch large fish.  

2016 seemed to be  the beginning of the cycle as I could only see tiny fish.  Maybe 2019-20 will be a year when the long hike in would payoff!

NOW TO THE ASSAULT ON 
“LITTLE ANDY LAKE”
 My pack just had water, food, RAIN GEAR, CAMERA &  EMERGENCY ITEMS ALREADY EXPLAINED TO MONITOR MY VITAL SIGNS, plus SPOT TRACKER & SATELLITE PHONE.

I leave below lake U-75, after getting  through steep boulder fields.
I gradually worked my way up the ravine that I  had thought would have a little stream coming out of the lake.  As it worked out, it was mostly underneath the boulder fields.


Getting some photographs of a pair of Arctic Ptarmigan, made the steep climb a bit more interesting.
They were found at an elevation higher than the summit of Mt. Timpanogos.

As seems to be the case in nature, the male is the most colorful.  The female more adaptable to hiding and blending in with the terrain.

As I got closer, and higher, the wind was biting and very cold, and once in a while there were snow flakes in the air.

 I finally came over a rise and there it was in the distance at the foot of South Kings Peak.  
We are here at an elevation 550 ft. higher than the summit of Mt. Timpanogos.

 As I got closer I could see that the dry year had dried up the shallow end of the lake, revealing what looked like dry mud flats, and my joke over the last couple of years about “finding a swamp,” seemed to have come true!   But, as I have said–like on KSL OUTDOORS, 
“IT’S MY SWAMP & THE ONLY ONE I’VE GOT!


Closer examination and zooming in show that we aren’t seeing a mud flat, rather rocks covered by sediment and water growth that has dried, but there is a deeper portion of the lake as we see by zooming in from Google Earth. 
 So it’s not so bad after all and it might be a good idea to have the DWR plane drop a few trout in next year…….in old man’s talk I’m talking to you guys at Utah FISH & GAME!   
But, the weather was closing in on me and I didn’t want to have to navigate some steep, rocky areas if wet with rain and snow–so did what I had to do and then headed quickly for camp…..I actually forgot the SPOT Tracker, until about 150 yards down from the lake, but remembered just in time.
I checked the oxygen and found it at 82, about the same as had been the case at Gunsight Pass, and immediately headed down the mountain, seeing along the way my old buddy, OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAINS, in much worse shape than me.


OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN on Trail Rider Pass in 2005, early in the season with gale force winds blowing.

NOW THE GOOD FORTUNE!I’ll insert here a photograph of Little Andy Lake taken by Elisabeth Johanson from South Kings Peak, just sent to me today, September 2nd, 
 and then zoom in some.


This is a wonderful photograph showing that Little Andy Lake really isn’t a “swamp” as I have talked about  jokingly…like on KSL Outdoors, but does show that the level has dropped a lot due to the dry year, but a fairly deep portion remains.  Remember lowly looking Little Andy Lake is 550 ft. higher than Timp!
On the left is seen the long Painter Mountain, dominated by Trail Rider Peak, then in the middle 11,780 ft. Trail Rider Pass, with Lake Atwood in the background.  To the right of the Pass is seen 11,745 ft. high Beard Lake (U-74), then in the right background 13,440 ft. Mt. Emmons, with Mt. Jedediah’s 13,387 peak on the extreme right.
Special thanks to Elisabeth Johanson for the photograph taken from South Kings Peak (13,512 ft. 2nd highest in Utah).

Here we zoom in a bit on 12,302 ft. high Little Andy lake,  with
 Beard Lake just barely seen on the extreme right–a zoomed in view of Beard Lake is shown in a couple of pictures, along with the record brook trout that fell there for my Thomas Cyclone Spoon.
But first let’s zoom in just a little more….

 Along the way I focused on Trail Rider Pass, seeing on the other side Lake Attwood, with Beard Lake on the extreme right.
 Zooming in a bit.

And, zooming in on Beard Lake (U-74) right near Trail Rider Pass.  It was in this alpine lake that I hooked the brook trout seen below that I have calculated would easily have been a Utah State record,  if I could have got him out of the water and to a certified scale! The present record is 7.5 lbs. from the Boulder Mountains…..I calculate this one as much as several lbs. heavier.

I got back to camp just as the snow was beginning to fall and took refuge in my tent and did some reading & resting, grateful for having achieved my objective of getting to “Little Andy Lake,” 

 The next morning, day 5, I waited for the sun to warm things up and melt some snow, and then packed up and was on my way, determined to get to the Dollar Lake area for my last night.  By around noon thesky gave all the signs that I was in for some weather that day, but I was ready for it.

 I bid farewell to Mt. Jedediah, and was on my way.
As I hiked towards Gunsight Pass, I looked back and saw the area I had been in shrouded in the weather, and also wondered about the kids who maybe were up high on those mountains trying to achieve their objective–and said repeatedly a prayer for them…a prayer that seems to have been answered.   Prayed for me too, as I was pretty tired and having a tough time.
 The weather looking east, where I had been on Backpack #2 was also closed in.
As I plodded along, I entertained myself with prayer, and reviewing out loud some of the greater spiritual experiences of my life–and I more than once prayed that the storm be “held back just a little” so I could get up and over the pass.
Maybe it was a lack of faith, but several times, just to be safe, I put on my rain pants, my Mountain Hardward jacket, with rain parka over it, and got out the rain cover for my pack.–and then moved along.

Anticipating bad weather ahead of time is an important skill to help one get properly dressed in time, and getting  your tent set up before the storm hits.
I finally got to the Highline Trail junction, and removed my pack to rest a little and take a few pictures.

Fox Queant Pass, conquered a few weeks ago, is seen enshrouded in tough weather, as is North Pole Pass.

Looking back again at where I had been…..and grateful as it seemed like I was leaving the storm path behind me.


Soon I was past the forked trail and climbing the pass, and got over it and down the other side without actually being rained on.  There were many storms, but they would move through quickly and be gone.  I had wanted to get to the Dollar Lake area, but it didn’t look like I would make it as the night was coming on, so when I saw water down below the trail, I turned off and located a spot for my tent with the opening pointing south which I needed for the satellite phone in the morning for my call to KSL OUTDOORS.

My prayer to hold back the storm to get my tent set up worked, and so I pushed it wanting just a little more time to run down and get some water and have my gravity purifying system working……and just as I got it all done…THE RAIN, SLEET and SNOW all of a sudden broke lose from the heavens–but I was snugly into my little abode with enough water to mix up a couple of egg nogs that would be my dinner and breakfast. 

Had a great call with KSL OUTDOORS, and then snuggled into my sleeping quilt again and waited for the sun to warm everything….BUT IT NEVER HAPPEND!
In my hurry the evening before I had forgot to position the tent to get the first rays of sunlight in the morning….so finally just got up and packed up.


Nearby other campers had left a mess…..but at least gathered it up into their fire-pit.  
LET ME SAY,  THIS VIOLATES THE FIRST LAW OF THE WILDERNESS:
LEAVE NO TRACE! 
As I shouldered my pack, I got the last shot of KINGS PEAK, but vowed to be back to the Henry’s Fork Basin next year, and focus just on the many lakes of the basin I’d like to visit one more time.
That will include getting to the base of Castle Peak where Castle Lake is found.

As I headed down the trail, all of a sudden I heard:

“HEY CORDELL, I FOUND YOU!”
Nathan Gibbons, went on saying, 
“I’ve been following your SPOT Tracks all week, and knowing you’d be here, I jumped in my car and came running up the trail to meet you!” 

While we talked, all of a sudden we were joined by two young ladies, Cameo White and Janae Welling.   Their emails indicate “ldschurch.org” so, were they missionaries on their “P Day,” or seminary teachers?  Hey gals, tell me what the deal is.
 Whatever, it was nice meeting them, along with Nathan and they helped us out by taking a picture of me and Nathan with my camera, seen below.
Soon I was back to the huge Spruce, and in the Dollar Lake area.

With a unique backpacker coming up the trail…..

In the area I was looking for a memorable spot that I had got to in mid-September 2004, in fact a SACRED SPOT which is seen below:
In mid-summer 2004 my “motorcycle knee” was operated on.  Six weeks later I was determined to do a special backpack camping out near  Andersons Pass under the eastern shadow of Kings Peak.  My 3rd day had me day hiking down to U-75 lake, but along the way I became very sick, with high fever, an acute digestive component, headache, etc. but made it to U-75, took one cast and decided I had to focus on survival–getting back up to my camp where I had emergency medications, etc. That climb back up was a faith filled experience and I was deeply grateful for having made it and started an emergency anti-biotic.  I laid there two days letting it to begin taking effect but on the 3rd day I had to get out of there as snow was on its way.  
That afternoon I did a test to see if I might be ready to make the move in the morning.  I hiked up to Anderson’s Pass and took the picture at sunset when I found
“the whole mountain turned to gold!”  
In the morning  I packed up knowing I had to move carefully in hopes that the sickness wouldn’t notice it had a great opportunity to knock me down for the count.  I had to hike the 8 miles to the Dollar Lake area, and then hope to do the remaining 8 miles the next day. 
I made it to the spot above and set up camp, believing I was like, “Home free!”  On the sat phone I called the family letting them know I was alright.
But, I was having a hard time resting as every time I would dose off I would suddenly awake unable to breath.  By around 10 I was imagining how long it would take me to get to the Trailhead the next day, when…..ALL OF A SUDDEN IT FELT LIKE KNIVES WERE BEING JAMMED INTO MY HEART!  I grabbed my chest putting pressure on believing that it would burst without the pressure.  As the unbearable pain continued I cried out a simple and desperate prayer, 
“Father in Heaven, too many people are dependent on me and I have to hike out of here tomorrow.   PLEASE HELP ME!”
At that instant I felt my heart literally jumping around inside my chest….and IT WAS OVER!
I carefully let up the pressure on my chest and finally removed my hands.  
The next day it took me all day to do the 8 miles, but I made it and was alive, and since, at the Cardiologist’s suggestion, have carried constantly a little packet with aspirin, Nitro Glycerin, and extra blood pressure medication. 

THE SPOT I FOUND & PICTURED ABOVE IS SACRED GROUND FOR ME! 
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I continued down the trail passing the Dollar Lake area……………and looked back up towards the pass, with Gilbert Peak on the left, and grateful for having been able to do as well as I could in my 81st year.
Remembering  all the special experiences had in this whole area, and feeling a renewed gratitude to the Lord……
…….I found the  wonders of nature  even more amazing as I hurried down the trail.

WOW!

 Soon a backpacker approached coming up the trail slowly.  He introduced himself as 
DARRYL CHRISTOFFELSZ from Calsbad, California.

Nathan came down the trail and joined the conversation with Darryl…….
…….and took my picture along with Darryl.
 Darryl is a member of THE HIGH POINTERS CLUB, dedicated to climbing the highest point in each of the states, having already done 42 states, but with the tough ones remaining.  He was making his 5th attempt at Utah’s Kings Peak.  Each previous time stopped due to some problem, like once in October with a couple of feet of snow.
Apparently he was having some difficculties at 57, even with only a backpack weighing 22 lbs. and wondered how the heck I was able to do what I was doing being 80 years old?
“Did you smoke or drink?”  he asked.
Hearing my reply that such have never interested me, he pressed for what my secrets were, and I replied telling him I have revealed pretty well everything in a long article on my website, entitled:
 I went on to explain to Darryl, and Nathan,  “I take a lot of stuff, but something is working so well that I’m afraid to leave any of it.  Once I started experimenting stopping one item at a time and noticing the results, and with some didn’t feel an effect, but there were 4 or 5 that made such a difference I got back on them quick, and before I sacrifice any of them, I would rather sacrifice my Mt. Dew or eating!”  

 Then we were invaded by an armed group…..of Arctic Ptarmigan hunters led by Johnny Clare.
 I told them where I had seen Ptarmigan on this trip and previous ones and told them to keep an eye on my website and I’d include some pictures and description of where they were seen….but basically it was in alpine tundra between 11,500 and  12,000 ft.  It would be one tough hunt, with little to show for it, except some great exercise and seeing many beautiful 
“visions of nature.”  

The hunters hurried down the trail, as had Nathan, leaving me with Darryl.
 Darryle expressed profound gratitude for our chance meeting, and felt like my example, and what I’ve written about “longevity secrets”  would be a great blessing in his life, and that it was almost like “divine intervention” that we had met. 
I hope and pray he will take seriously my “secrets!” 

 Down the trail three young ladies stopped to say hello, as I was resting at the moment.  They, as almost everybody else wondered about what the heck I was doing up there.  I got names and emails for some, but passed out my business cards to all, and hope they will email me, and check out the website.  The middle one, Christina Ogrin, emailed me today and reported that two out of the three made it to the peak.  
 There were dozens of others I didn’t talk to or take pictures of–as it was just too time consuming.  

Finally got down to Elkhorn Crossing, and a bit below a handsome couple from Montana I had talked to the day before stopped to talk a little, and I was able to get their picture.  

I thought I had got their names, but I’m afraid I lost pages that started falling out of my ledger.  But they got my card and I hope they will contact me and become High Uinta Friends. 
RECEIVED THEIR EMAIL….WHAT A RELIEF, as I didn’t want to forget
 Brant and Jennell Humphrey, from Helena, MONTANA

Speed & Power.
1455147063474_logo
Brant Humphrey, MS, CSCS, FMSC
Director of Performance
Fundamental Athlete Sports Training

406-502-1901 
Thanks, Brant & Jennell  for contacting me and assuring our  
“HIGH UINTA FRIENDSHIP!”
I’m not surprised at all  about your business….as both of you are
INCREDIBLE ATHLETES!
I’ll now go back to my description done initially:
They referred to something that had worried me the day before when seeing them.  As I was coming down the pass at about 5:30 three young men, obviously on a day hike, only with wind breakers, passed me saying they were going to climb Kings Peak.  That worried me  as  at best it would take them until 7:30 to scale the peak, and then in the dark, rain and maybe snow,  have to come all the way back to their camp between the pass and Dollar Lake.

My Montana friends said they had seen them on Andersons Pass late at about 6:35  and being late & with bad weather, they had decided it not wise to scale the peak, but rather decided to work back to Henry’s Fork Basin by going down the “chute,” mentioned previously.  So, at least they would have been going down, rather than up into the teeth of a storm and the jaws of Kings Peak!

I meant to ask them about Montana and tell them how I used to love my fishing trips on the Beaverhead River near Dillon, Montana…which I will soon be doing again.  I actually tried to hike pretty fast to catch up to them….but apparently fast for this old guy was pretty slow compared to this athletic couple…so I never saw them again…and hope they will make contact……

…..which of course they did.  THANKS BRANT!

P.S.  When I get some pictures from them, I’ll insert them here:


Down the trail I was passed by a number mountain runners who had left the Trailhead early, and were almost back after a run of 32 miles in tough terrain and at high altitude….all done the same day….which for me is awe inspiring!
Soon I was in the Lodgepole pine belt, where the tie hackers did their heroic work 150 years ago.  We need them again to do a little thinning!

Soon it was heartening to get into the Quaking Aspen  belt, knowing that I was getting close to the Trailhead.
Then a father, who said he had climbed Kings Peak a number of times, came up the trail with his two kids who he was helping to also do the Peak.
 Once again I seem to have lost their names,  but did leave a card and hope they will contact me as I want to give them a photograph to remember this special experience.
HOLD ON..JUST HEARD FROM THEM
 I did have the father’s name, but didn’t recall who it was. 
He is JAKE HIRSCHI with the following report followed by their pictures:

Cordell,
Nice to meet you on the trial last weekend. 
We spent one night at Dollar Lake and headed for Kings early the next morning. 
y 9 and 10 year old made it to the top of Kings Peak by 11:30am. We then stomped all the way out to the car that day by 8:30 PM just as darkness closed in.  We easily made it home that night in time for school on Monday morning. Mom was impressed. 
First mountain peak for my 9 year old. She did great on this long trek. My 10 year old had done Mt Ogden 2 time and Ben Lomond 1 time before. They both helped motivate each other. 
I took the tent, one sleeping bag and one pad and our stove to the peak for safety. We were set for self containment in case of accident or need to help others along the trail. We had good weather and no accidents. Not one trip or fall. Kids did great. Some sore feet but they didn’t seem to mind after a little doctoring

Another email from Jake introduced me to his kids….now with names as seen below.

Here I am with Jake’s kids:  GRACE, 9, and ISAAC, 10

Grace & Isaac fooling around and getting ready  to climb KINGS PEAK, seen in the background.

Jake, justly proud of his two climbing companions on top of Utah’s world!

I’m not sure whether this foot belongs to Grace or Isaac?

JAKE’S REPLY this morning, September 3rd:
You are an inspiration for them and for me. Hope to follow in your well traveled footsteps.  They remembered the exact spot on the trail where they met you while we were hiking out the following day. They referred to our “trail buddy” (that’s you) many times along our journey. 
Hope our paths cross again. 
Happy trails,
Jake

Since I’m now the kid’s “TRAIL BUDDY” I’ll insert a picture of me also on top of Utah’s world,  back on my 27 day expedition” in 2003:


Now, down the trail, anxious to get to the Trailhead


Met more new High Uinta Friends, Kevin Park & friend,  at the junction where the trail takes off to Alligator Lake.  Kevin has emailed me and I have emailed him this picture as I will for any photographed on this wonderful backpacking experience in our wonderful Wilderness.


We all admired the sign made by someone and hope that the Forest Service will take the hint! 

 More mountain runners….now walking almost as much as jogging, but I don’t blame them a bit!

It was August 27th, and all along the trail signs of summer coming to an end were colorfully visible.


I was very grateful for having been able to finish off my summer of backpacking  by achieving my goal of getting to LITTLE ANDY LAKE, & in a sense finishing the backpacking/exploration portion of my Project…..although backpacks will continue each summer, gradually filling in the gaps with explorations into areas that have escaped me. 
HIGH ALTITUDE SICKENSS...
… was avoided due to several critical factors: 
 1. Having done heavy duty workouts all winter & spring, had me STRONGER;  2.  LOSING 26 lbs. following a special diet to lose fat, rather than muscle;  
3.  Persisting with my special supplements designed to STRENGTHEN MY IMMUNE SYSTEM, & COUNTER-ACT THE AGING PROCESS;  
4.  Taking DIAMOX, that helps speed up the acclimatization process; 
5.  Monitoring my vitals with Blood Pressure gauge & Oximeter, and at times resting a little more than usual to give my body time to acclimatize before continuing.

EXCITED WITH THE NEW FOCUS OF MY PROJECT
 I will now  begin serious efforts of putting together the unique book which will be much more than a guide book for hikers, but will….let me insert here what I told several on  Backpack #1 into the Grandaddies:
It will be  an E- book with lots of the stunning color of the Uintas none of which is seen in any of the guide books.  Yes, it would be a guide  book for hikers and backpackers, but much more mixing throughout  the incredible history, the fascinating legends and myths of gold & Big Foot, and, I asked, “Do you know about the tie hackers?”  They shook their heads, and I described these “unsung heroes of the Uinta’s North Slope without whom the West might not  have been won!”   I went on mentioning Tom “Bear River” Smith, President Eisenhower’s hero from Abelene, Kansas, and Beartown, where Tom got his nick-name, which tie hacker/railroad town was described as 
 “The liveliest if not the most wicked town in America!”
 all tied to the Uintas, and much more that will be in the book, with special emphasis on SURVIVAL, telling the stories of those who didn’t make it, and WHY…
……then my personal survival experiences, and lessons learned 
that will save many
 lives, 
plus enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the Uintas.  They were wide eyed and seemingly pretty interested and said, 
Their reaction?

 “WOW….You’d better get to it before it’s too late!”

“I WILL NOW FOCUS ON THAT!”
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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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