TClark
Member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2016
- Messages
- 8
My brother and I took our 8 year old sons backpacking to the Grandaddy basin Aug. 6-9, 2015. I hadn't been backpacking in years, and had never taken my son backpacking before. In the months and weeks leading up to the trip we gathered all the gear we would need. It was interesting to see how much my son got into it. He loved going shopping for gear with me and always wanted to talk about where we were going to hike, camp and fish. With everything we did to prepare, I think the most important was to go on some practice hikes. We'd get up early on Saturday mornings and do about a 4 mile hike on the hills close to our home. For an 8 year old the mental aspect of doing a hike in the Uintas can be daunting. However, having done the practice hikes he was prepared, and did not complain once.
On August 6th we drove to the Grandview Trail head. I was surprised to see the parking lot completely full on a Thursday morning. We headed up the trail at about 10 am. The first two miles of the trail to Hades Pass is the hardest part of the hike into Grandaddy Basin, however I would not say that it was difficult. We had planned to stop in the pass and have our lunch.
Me and my son Justin at the trail head.
My brother Lee and his son Brody. Lee is always up for a good adventure.
Justin and Brody at a pond in Hades Pass.
We met this little guy in the pass. He must be used to hikers because he'd come right over to us.
From here we headed down the other side of the trail past Grandaddy lake on our way to the north end of Betsy lake where we had planned to camp the first night. When we got to the north end of Betsy lake there were a couple of scout groups camped there, so we decided to push on a little further and ended up camping about half way between Betsy lake and Fish Hatchery lake.
Headed down the trail towards Grandaddy lake.
Heart lake from near the pass
Grandaddy lake
Outlet at Betsy lake
Found a good campsite around 2:30pm and got set up.
The plan was to get up Friday morning, pack up camp and hike to Governor Dern lake to spend the night. Saturday morning we would pack up camp again, and take a different route back to Betsy lake going past Rainbow lake , Lost lake and Brinton Meadow, ultimately camping at Betsy Saturday night. However, when we got of Friday morning it was raining cats and dogs. We decided instead of packing everything up wet we'd stay camped where we were and do some day hikes. Friday we went back to Betsy to do some fishing. We also visited Mohawk lake and did some fishing at a pond located between the two.
Weather moving in from the south over Betsy lake
Trying to catch some fish at Betsy, but with the wind and rain we weren't having much luck
I learned that taking my son's camo jacket was a mistake. I had a hard time picking him out in the trees and brush.
Mohawk lake
Back at camp having some dinner
Friday night got really interesting. At about midnight a storm moved in and it was lightning and raining like mad all around us. I couldn't sleep, so I just laid awake in my sleeping bag. At 1:30 am I can see a flashlight out side. I was thinking Lee and Brody must be wet or are having an issue with their tent. It was storming so hard that they would not have been able to hear me if I yelled to them. I got out of my sleeping bag and was getting prepared to go out and see what they needed when the light went out. I thought whatever it was he must have gotten it fixed, so I climbed back in my bag. The next morning Lee ask me what I was doing outside with my flashlight in the middle of the night. I told him it wasn't me, and that I thought it was him. What really surprises me is that we were camped well off the trail. You could not see our camp from the trail in the daylight. I have no idea how someone stumbled into our camp in the middle of a thunderstorm at 1:30 in the morning.
Saturday we hiked to Fish Hatchery lake . It was windy, but the fishing was a little better. Me and Justin got Skunked but Lee and Brody each caught a fish. Later when we got back to camp we cooked the fish in some tinfoil. They tasted fantastic. That evening we headed back to Betsy, but didn't have any luck with the fishing. On a side note, the week before we went we got some real cold weather, and the Uintas got freezing temperatures. As a result there were no mosquitoes while we were there. We didn't even have to wear any insect repellent.
Hiking to Fish Hatchery lake
View across Fish Hatchery lake
Brody eating some of the fish he had caught
Did I mention the fish was delicious
Sunday morning we packed up camp and headed back towards the trail head. We had a great time, and Justin and Brody loved it. I think they'll remember this trip for a long time.
On our way back to the trail head
This is how Justin and Brody hiked most of the time. They talked about everything and anything two little boys could be interested in.
We stopped in the pass on the way back for a rest and these two had a little siesta
Okay, this is where I need help from all of you. I'm planning a trip back to the Uintas for 2016. I'm considering a few different places - Brown Duck Basin, Farmers and Timothy lakes, Chain lakes, Fox lake. Any advice one way or another on any of these locations. I'm also open to any suggests on other locations. Just keep in mind that it has to be doable for two 9 year olds.
On August 6th we drove to the Grandview Trail head. I was surprised to see the parking lot completely full on a Thursday morning. We headed up the trail at about 10 am. The first two miles of the trail to Hades Pass is the hardest part of the hike into Grandaddy Basin, however I would not say that it was difficult. We had planned to stop in the pass and have our lunch.
Me and my son Justin at the trail head.
My brother Lee and his son Brody. Lee is always up for a good adventure.
Justin and Brody at a pond in Hades Pass.
We met this little guy in the pass. He must be used to hikers because he'd come right over to us.
From here we headed down the other side of the trail past Grandaddy lake on our way to the north end of Betsy lake where we had planned to camp the first night. When we got to the north end of Betsy lake there were a couple of scout groups camped there, so we decided to push on a little further and ended up camping about half way between Betsy lake and Fish Hatchery lake.
Headed down the trail towards Grandaddy lake.
Heart lake from near the pass
Grandaddy lake
Outlet at Betsy lake
Found a good campsite around 2:30pm and got set up.
The plan was to get up Friday morning, pack up camp and hike to Governor Dern lake to spend the night. Saturday morning we would pack up camp again, and take a different route back to Betsy lake going past Rainbow lake , Lost lake and Brinton Meadow, ultimately camping at Betsy Saturday night. However, when we got of Friday morning it was raining cats and dogs. We decided instead of packing everything up wet we'd stay camped where we were and do some day hikes. Friday we went back to Betsy to do some fishing. We also visited Mohawk lake and did some fishing at a pond located between the two.
Weather moving in from the south over Betsy lake
Trying to catch some fish at Betsy, but with the wind and rain we weren't having much luck
I learned that taking my son's camo jacket was a mistake. I had a hard time picking him out in the trees and brush.
Mohawk lake
Back at camp having some dinner
Friday night got really interesting. At about midnight a storm moved in and it was lightning and raining like mad all around us. I couldn't sleep, so I just laid awake in my sleeping bag. At 1:30 am I can see a flashlight out side. I was thinking Lee and Brody must be wet or are having an issue with their tent. It was storming so hard that they would not have been able to hear me if I yelled to them. I got out of my sleeping bag and was getting prepared to go out and see what they needed when the light went out. I thought whatever it was he must have gotten it fixed, so I climbed back in my bag. The next morning Lee ask me what I was doing outside with my flashlight in the middle of the night. I told him it wasn't me, and that I thought it was him. What really surprises me is that we were camped well off the trail. You could not see our camp from the trail in the daylight. I have no idea how someone stumbled into our camp in the middle of a thunderstorm at 1:30 in the morning.
Saturday we hiked to Fish Hatchery lake . It was windy, but the fishing was a little better. Me and Justin got Skunked but Lee and Brody each caught a fish. Later when we got back to camp we cooked the fish in some tinfoil. They tasted fantastic. That evening we headed back to Betsy, but didn't have any luck with the fishing. On a side note, the week before we went we got some real cold weather, and the Uintas got freezing temperatures. As a result there were no mosquitoes while we were there. We didn't even have to wear any insect repellent.
Hiking to Fish Hatchery lake
View across Fish Hatchery lake
Brody eating some of the fish he had caught
Did I mention the fish was delicious
Sunday morning we packed up camp and headed back towards the trail head. We had a great time, and Justin and Brody loved it. I think they'll remember this trip for a long time.
On our way back to the trail head
This is how Justin and Brody hiked most of the time. They talked about everything and anything two little boys could be interested in.
We stopped in the pass on the way back for a rest and these two had a little siesta
Okay, this is where I need help from all of you. I'm planning a trip back to the Uintas for 2016. I'm considering a few different places - Brown Duck Basin, Farmers and Timothy lakes, Chain lakes, Fox lake. Any advice one way or another on any of these locations. I'm also open to any suggests on other locations. Just keep in mind that it has to be doable for two 9 year olds.
we ran into some families with young kids hiking the trail. they were having a blast catching salamanders in one of the ponds! so fun!
