No pics on the hike in, I wanted to make good time so I could get a decent campsite set up. Absolutely stunning weather though on the hike in, and great scenery. Went about 4 miles in to Packard Lake. Found a great 'gently used' campsite up a ridge next to the lake.
The next morning, just as the sky was starting to lighten, I was awakened to some snorting and obvious heavy hoofs walking nearby. I quickly stuck my head out from under the tarp, and saw a small group of elk about 50 yards away, heading down to a nearby spring (about 200-250 feet away). Amazing sight to wake up to, but couldn't find a camera quickly enough.
Morning temp was below freezing, and I estimate about 27-28 F based on my teeny-tiny keyring thermometer. I normally don't make a fire for these quick trips, but I did that morning because I was chilly.
Boiled some water on the stove, and had oatmeal and coffee. Yum!
Did a little fishing at the lake, didn't catch any fish. Nothing wrong with that though. After walking around the lake, I realized I was the only person there. Hard to beat that kind of solitude.
The trail up out of the lake to the main trail is to put it mildly a tough SOB. It's uphill about a mile (edit: about 1/2 to 3/4 mile, seems like a mile though), steep in some places, and rocky as hell:
On the way home, there is a pull-out on the Mirror Lake Highway at the summit of Bald Mountain. This is the spectacular view from there:
Met a few fellow bikers on the way home at a few of the other pull-outs. Lots of bikes out that day. It was a beautiful quick trip, and I'm glad I was able to make it to one of my favorite areas in Northern Utah before it gets too cold. Peace everyone!
09-10-2016, 07:37 PM
