Naturalist Loop - Labor Day 2018

Ugly

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I need to be in the right mood to write a trip report. It took a little while to find that essence, but for good or bad, here it goes.

For Labor Day Weekend I took one of my sons out into the Uintas to Naturalist Basin. A friend of mine was to join us sometime Sunday with his 6 year old son, so the distance was just about right. My 11 year old son was intent on fishing, so this would give him several lakes to work with.
My intent was just to go with the flow and move at whatever pace my son wanted to go. So I did not really have an itinerary except to start Friday and end up on Sunday in between the Morat lakes to meet my friend and his son.

There are a few stories to be buried among the pictures, but the highlights were golden mornings with blue skies, followed mostly by rolling clouds in the afternoon, a squall of thundersnow (the first my son had been in), a bit of fishing action, my son's constant rock climbing, starry, nearly silent nights, and enjoying time with my son whose moods are the opposite of mine, turbulent and ever changing.

An early start saw us arrive at the trailhead before the sun was up, passing misty lakes of blue grey and just the start of autumn leaves, as well as a couple suicidal roadside deer. We sang some good stuff on the way in to start the trip off right.
We walked down a little and wandered around Butterfly lake on frosty grass, not really in a hurry yet. We watched the trout leaping out of the water until the sun was hitting the peaks, then we walked back to the trailhead for our packs.
Bald Mountain and the highway looked nice as the sun began to rise.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180021-proc.jpg

We did not run into anyone until after the junction with Naturalist basin. Well, except a badger that ran off into the trees and a few deer.
A perfectly still, lily padded Scudder provided a quick break. My son's constant talking melted the miles away and I was almost the first one to say Uncle and ask for a break.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180083-proc.jpg

The meadows were shoulder season golden, and my son played in one for a while as I smiled at the sun bathing us in light.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180111-proc.jpg

We hit the split between Morat and Jordan, and still he had not complained. We stopped so he could chase minnows in the creek, while I chased reflections.
I sang another song this time: "I would watch you walk along the canal Wearing ribbons of gold morning light"
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180131-bw.jpg

Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180135-proc.jpg

Jordan was our first destination. A few landed brookies broke up the late morning, but winds came in and brought a few minor showers and a couple pleasant naps in between some shore wandering and further fishing attempts.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180158-bw-small.jpg

Bent over grass and impressionist reflections as a storm approached.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180160-proc.jpg

Oops, slept a little longer the second time. Storm cleared all the way out.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180217.jpg

The rest of the afternoon we were skunked fishing wise. This meant dinner was Tonkatsu ramen with some ham, and a desert of peanut butter trail mix and mike n ikes.
The water from here was good.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180250.jpg

Here we leave the linear path of the story, and interject.
The 11 year old's guide to activities in Naturalist Basin:

"I want to catch this little trout in this pool and put him in the lake."
"Sure, or eat him..." Dad says.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180278_1.jpg

"What about climbing rocks? Finding small caves, or even practicing stemming in a mini slot? Multiple times!"
On the way out this time.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180727.jpg

"I will be out climbing on the castle and in the cave. Maybe I can catch a pika..."
This cliff was behind camp on day two. It housed a nice cave, plenty of rocks to climb, and a busy body pika that occupied us well into twilight.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180749-proc.jpg

Pride rock and the aforementioned start of twilight. Insert Pika chirps here and some coyote yips.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180857-proc.jpg

"I will be fishing."
After the thundersnow came the tranquility of late afternoon fishing.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180830-bw.jpg

Other activities not pictured, besides the necessary covering of distance included:
Osprey, raven, gray jay and small bird watching
Twilight karaoke, some songs enjoyed by both parties, but some only by one, including: Africa, Under the Milky Way, Cool Change, Take it to the Limit, and Southern cross. Influenced heavily by the fact that ones iphone for some reason only had what I call my father in law mix. Still, it was good.
Star gazing and physics discussions
When the fishing sucked my son and I had rock skipping competitions
Saturday night also fell into a three round skirmish of Ticket to Ride which included a young sharp mind actually starting to understand and discuss strategy

In between all of this there was only one negative moment at Shaler lake when my son snagged a triple tease he had found on the shore of Jordan. It was near shore and I told him he could go in for it in his undies. He said no, he wanted his shorts and took off to retrieve them from our packs on the other side of the lake. As he returned, a gray cloud poured over the ridge from Middle Basin to the north and boomed a few times with thunder. We took shelter, but he was mad that I said he could not go into the water with the storm overhead. By the time this shower passed us by there was another behind it, and he grumpily agreed that he wanted to move on. Besides being tired on the last of the hike out, that was about it for any confrontation.
Wonderful!

So wait, what did dad do besides some constant singing, napping, load carrying, cooking and smiling?
He took it all in.

For example:
Sunrays were common the first afternoon and evening. Notice the line from shore. Concurrent enjoyment...
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180275-bw.jpg

Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180292-bw.jpg

Well into twilight on night one a doe wandered into camp. My son getting out to see her spooked her off, or so we thought. As I sat on a rock watching the steel water and the first stars appearing with the breeze blowing against my back I heard her return. It was dark enough I could not see her well, but there she was going for the food bag I had not yet put away. I spoke to her, and she just kept going toward the bag. So I scared her off. I put away the food bag elsewhere and took any of our sweaty stuff and threw it below my son in the tent. She came back, but we had outmaneuvered her. So I called her out and laughed at her so that she pronged away.
The breezy night and noisy neighbors across the lake gave way to a perfectly still morning and at 4 and then again at 5am I contemplated getting out of the tent, but it was too nice to lay there. I finally did and enjoyed the stillness.
The blue dawn gave way to golden glory.
"You were the brightest shade of sun I had ever seen, and you were gilded with the gold of the richest kings..."
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180421-proc.jpg

And a little zoomed in.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180458-recipe.jpg

The mist, golden light, still water, long shadows, fall colors, scattered frost. Beautiful.
Probably my favorite of the trip. I stood here for several minutes before even taking a photo. Nearly missing the best of it.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180540-recipe.jpg

Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180550-recipe.jpg

Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180557-proc_1.jpg

More details.Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180587.jpg

Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180588-sunlight.jpg

....
Later in the day, up by Shaler. While the storms built and my son snagged his lure.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180636.jpg

Then, as we made the final run to LeConte another larger storm loomed. I had seen a possible campsite closer to Blue Lake on a previous trip, but we decided to make for some trees near LeConte and found what became a perfect site for my son, and let's face it. For me as well. This was the most photogenic day.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180668-sunlight-small.jpg

Between storms we ate the last of our blueberry bagel and roast beef sandwiches and walked to where we could overlook Blue lake.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180735-proc.jpg

Another round. This time light rain.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180753-proc.jpg

Autumn colors on show.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180777-proc2_1.jpg

Dinner time and the front passed overhead.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180838-proc.jpg

A little bit of sunset and a perception trick.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180889-proc.jpg

The next morning brought out a different song.
"Quand le soleil dit bonjour aux montagnes,
Et que la nuit rencontre le jour."
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-180952-proc.jpg

Probably favorite #2, but hard to say. I am a sucker for these lichen covered boulders.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181000-proc.jpg

Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181020-procsh.jpg

Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181037-proc.jpg

We eventually headed to Blue lake. It was "crowded" with 4-5 different groups fishing or otherwise along the shore. We pulled in a tiger pretty quickly at Blue, but we were to meet my friend this day, so we dropped down to Morat, setup a hammock, took out the pole, and caught a few tigers there instead. My son then climbed rocks while I talked with some gray jays who tried stealing my trail mix. Then we had lunch, watched the groups come and go, went and saw the fire burning farther down the Duchesne drainage, and still saw no sign of my friend.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181064.jpg

This was the least photographed day. (some of you are saying "Thank Heavens")
My friend and son never arrived that night. We setup nearer the shallow Morat after a dinner of Tiger Trout and Teriyaki noodles. I chose that place because it was right where I had pinned the map and was visible from the trail. I apologize to the one backpacker who was just across from us.
Evening brought some nice light, a curious drone, and then plenty of stars.

"There could be a great glow if the conditions are right,
Shot through with light"
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181076-proc.jpg

Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181092-sunlight.jpg

The next morning I was sad it was our last, but our food was almost gone -we had planned about right. I slept in a little bit, since it was just another bluebird morning. I eventually wandered over to the larger Morat lake.
The trees were intriguing me with the golden light.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181108.jpg

Morat's turrets.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181161-sunlight.jpg

Taking this shot I heard voices talking off in the trees. I thought it was this group of four who had been fishing the lake the evening before. So I didn't venture toward them. However... as soon will be seen, it was someone more familiar.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181193-sunlight.jpg

I know, too many pics already, and I give you another one of trees. But really, this has to make you smile.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181264-sunlight.jpg

I eventually wandered back to camp, not wanting to leave, but ready to go whenever my son was ready. I sat down and took one last shot of my needing to be retired Salewas. These have at least 600 miles of trips and trails that I can count on them.
Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181323.jpg

I was feeling a little bummed my friend had not arrived. I figured I would find out why once we were on the road.
And then I heard a kids voice. I stood up and walked to where I could see the trail.
I saw who it was, but waited to see if they recognized me.

Turns out they had made the last climb in the dark, and seeing someone with a fire that was not me, they had stopped short by about a hundred yards and setup in the trees. No worries, we spent the morning fishing, hanging out, and I now had someone else to hike out with.
And here is the last story of the trip.
Near shore there was this tiger that kept violently breaking out of the water, always near the same spot. I cast past where I could see it in the shallows and pulled a renegade past him. He did not move for it, but another tiger did. It did not take it, but the second tiger startled the first, and I noticed the first tiger was straining against a snagged line. Twenty feet or so from shore he was hooked.
I called my son over from where he was climbing the rocks and showed him, and then went in after him. The water was up to my ribs, but the line pulled against my leg, so it was easy to scoop down and pull up the line and the fish. I freed him, took a dunk in the water, and then sat on a rock in the water for a few minutes until my goosebumped skin blotched different colors.
The fishing karma was good though, because once I was dried by the sun and finally dressed, my next cast I pulled in another tiger.

Naturalist Basin Loop 9-181343-small.jpg
 
Nice report. I like your being distracted by the beauty, delaying getting a good shot. It means things are good! And... good job Dad!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I need to be in the right mood to write a trip report. It took a little while to find that essence, but for good or bad, here it goes.

For Labor Day Weekend I took one of my sons out into the Uintas to Naturalist Basin. A friend of mine was to join us sometime Sunday with his 6 year old son, so the distance was just about right. My 11 year old son was intent on fishing, so this would give him several lakes to work with.
My intent was just to go with the flow and move at whatever pace my son wanted to go. So I did not really have an itinerary except to start Friday and end up on Sunday in between the Morat lakes to meet my friend and his son.

There are a few stories to be buried among the pictures, but the highlights were golden mornings with blue skies, followed mostly by rolling clouds in the afternoon, a squall of thundersnow (the first my son had been in), a bit of fishing action, my son's constant rock climbing, starry, nearly silent nights, and enjoying time with my son whose moods are the opposite of mine, turbulent and ever changing.

An early start saw us arrive at the trailhead before the sun was up, passing misty lakes of blue grey and just the start of autumn leaves, as well as a couple suicidal roadside deer. We sang some good stuff on the way in to start the trip off right.
We walked down a little and wandered around Butterfly lake on frosty grass, not really in a hurry yet. We watched the trout leaping out of the water until the sun was hitting the peaks, then we walked back to the trailhead for our packs.
Bald Mountain and the highway looked nice as the sun began to rise.
View attachment 69294

We did not run into anyone until after the junction with Naturalist basin. Well, except a badger that ran off into the trees and a few deer.
A perfectly still, lily padded Scudder provided a quick break. My son's constant talking melted the miles away and I was almost the first one to say Uncle and ask for a break.
View attachment 69295

The meadows were shoulder season golden, and my son played in one for a while as I smiled at the sun bathing us in light.
View attachment 69296

We hit the split between Morat and Jordan, and still he had not complained. We stopped so he could chase minnows in the creek, while I chased reflections.
I sang another song this time: "I would watch you walk along the canal Wearing ribbons of gold morning light"
View attachment 69297

View attachment 69298

Jordan was our first destination. A few landed brookies broke up the late morning, but winds came in and brought a few minor showers and a couple pleasant naps in between some shore wandering and further fishing attempts.
View attachment 69299

Bent over grass and impressionist reflections as a storm approached.
View attachment 69300

Oops, slept a little longer the second time. Storm cleared all the way out.
View attachment 69301

The rest of the afternoon we were skunked fishing wise. This meant dinner was Tonkatsu ramen with some ham, and a desert of peanut butter trail mix and mike n ikes.
The water from here was good.
View attachment 69302

Here we leave the linear path of the story, and interject.
The 11 year old's guide to activities in Naturalist Basin:

"I want to catch this little trout in this pool and put him in the lake."
"Sure, or eat him..." Dad says.
View attachment 69304

"What about climbing rocks? Finding small caves, or even practicing stemming in a mini slot? Multiple times!"
On the way out this time.
View attachment 69315

"I will be out climbing on the castle and in the cave. Maybe I can catch a pika..."
This cliff was behind camp on day two. It housed a nice cave, plenty of rocks to climb, and a busy body pika that occupied us well into twilight.
View attachment 69317

Pride rock and the aforementioned start of twilight. Insert Pika chirps here and some coyote yips.
View attachment 69322

"I will be fishing."
After the thundersnow came the tranquility of late afternoon fishing.
View attachment 69320

Other activities not pictured, besides the necessary covering of distance included:
Osprey, raven, gray jay and small bird watching
Twilight karaoke, some songs enjoyed by both parties, but some only by one, including: Africa, Under the Milky Way, Cool Change, Take it to the Limit, and Southern cross. Influenced heavily by the fact that ones iphone for some reason only had what I call my father in law mix. Still, it was good.
Star gazing and physics discussions
When the fishing sucked my son and I had rock skipping competitions
Saturday night also fell into a three round skirmish of Ticket to Ride which included a young sharp mind actually starting to understand and discuss strategy

In between all of this there was only one negative moment at Shaler lake when my son snagged a triple tease he had found on the shore of Jordan. It was near shore and I told him he could go in for it in his undies. He said no, he wanted his shorts and took off to retrieve them from our packs on the other side of the lake. As he returned, a gray cloud poured over the ridge from Middle Basin to the north and boomed a few times with thunder. We took shelter, but he was mad that I said he could not go into the water with the storm overhead. By the time this shower passed us by there was another behind it, and he grumpily agreed that he wanted to move on. Besides being tired on the last of the hike out, that was about it for any confrontation.
Wonderful!

So wait, what did dad do besides some constant singing, napping, load carrying, cooking and smiling?
He took it all in.

For example:
Sunrays were common the first afternoon and evening. Notice the line from shore. Concurrent enjoyment...
View attachment 69303

View attachment 69305

Well into twilight on night one a doe wandered into camp. My son getting out to see her spooked her off, or so we thought. As I sat on a rock watching the steel water and the first stars appearing with the breeze blowing against my back I heard her return. It was dark enough I could not see her well, but there she was going for the food bag I had not yet put away. I spoke to her, and she just kept going toward the bag. So I scared her off. I put away the food bag elsewhere and took any of our sweaty stuff and threw it below my son in the tent. She came back, but we had outmaneuvered her. So I called her out and laughed at her so that she pronged away.
The breezy night and noisy neighbors across the lake gave way to a perfectly still morning and at 4 and then again at 5am I contemplated getting out of the tent, but it was too nice to lay there. I finally did and enjoyed the stillness.
The blue dawn gave way to golden glory.
"You were the brightest shade of sun I had ever seen, and you were gilded with the gold of the richest kings..."
View attachment 69306

And a little zoomed in.
View attachment 69307

The mist, golden light, still water, long shadows, fall colors, scattered frost. Beautiful.
Probably my favorite of the trip. I stood here for several minutes before even taking a photo. Nearly missing the best of it.
View attachment 69308

View attachment 69309

View attachment 69310

More details.View attachment 69311

View attachment 69312

....
Later in the day, up by Shaler. While the storms built and my son snagged his lure.
View attachment 69313

Then, as we made the final run to LeConte another larger storm loomed. I had seen a possible campsite closer to Blue Lake on a previous trip, but we decided to make for some trees near LeConte and found what became a perfect site for my son, and let's face it. For me as well. This was the most photogenic day.
View attachment 69314

Between storms we ate the last of our blueberry bagel and roast beef sandwiches and walked to where we could overlook Blue lake.
View attachment 69316

Another round. This time light rain.
View attachment 69318

Autumn colors on show.
View attachment 69319

Dinner time and the front passed overhead.
View attachment 69321

A little bit of sunset and a perception trick.
View attachment 69323

The next morning brought out a different song.
"Quand le soleil dit bonjour aux montagnes,
Et que la nuit rencontre le jour."
View attachment 69324

Probably favorite #2, but hard to say. I am a sucker for these lichen covered boulders.
View attachment 69325

View attachment 69326

View attachment 69327

We eventually headed to Blue lake. It was "crowded" with 4-5 different groups fishing or otherwise along the shore. We pulled in a tiger pretty quickly at Blue, but we were to meet my friend this day, so we dropped down to Morat, setup a hammock, took out the pole, and caught a few tigers there instead. My son then climbed rocks while I talked with some gray jays who tried stealing my trail mix. Then we had lunch, watched the groups come and go, went and saw the fire burning farther down the Duchesne drainage, and still saw no sign of my friend.
View attachment 69328

This was the least photographed day. (some of you are saying "Thank Heavens")
My friend and son never arrived that night. We setup nearer the shallow Morat after a dinner of Tiger Trout and Teriyaki noodles. I chose that place because it was right where I had pinned the map and was visible from the trail. I apologize to the one backpacker who was just across from us.
Evening brought some nice light, a curious drone, and then plenty of stars.

"There could be a great glow if the conditions are right,
Shot through with light"
View attachment 69329

View attachment 69330

The next morning I was sad it was our last, but our food was almost gone -we had planned about right. I slept in a little bit, since it was just another bluebird morning. I eventually wandered over to the larger Morat lake.
The trees were intriguing me with the golden light.
View attachment 69331

Morat's turrets.
View attachment 69332

Taking this shot I heard voices talking off in the trees. I thought it was this group of four who had been fishing the lake the evening before. So I didn't venture toward them. However... as soon will be seen, it was someone more familiar.
View attachment 69333

I know, too many pics already, and I give you another one of trees. But really, this has to make you smile.
View attachment 69334

I eventually wandered back to camp, not wanting to leave, but ready to go whenever my son was ready. I sat down and took one last shot of my needing to be retired Salewas. These have at least 600 miles of trips and trails that I can count on them.
View attachment 69335

I was feeling a little bummed my friend had not arrived. I figured I would find out why once we were on the road.
And then I heard a kids voice. I stood up and walked to where I could see the trail.
I saw who it was, but waited to see if they recognized me.

Turns out they had made the last climb in the dark, and seeing someone with a fire that was not me, they had stopped short by about a hundred yards and setup in the trees. No worries, we spent the morning fishing, hanging out, and I now had someone else to hike out with.
And here is the last story of the trip.
Near shore there was this tiger that kept violently breaking out of the water, always near the same spot. I cast past where I could see it in the shallows and pulled a renegade past him. He did not move for it, but another tiger did. It did not take it, but the second tiger startled the first, and I noticed the first tiger was straining against a snagged line. Twenty feet or so from shore he was hooked.
I called my son over from where he was climbing the rocks and showed him, and then went in after him. The water was up to my ribs, but the line pulled against my leg, so it was easy to scoop down and pull up the line and the fish. I freed him, took a dunk in the water, and then sat on a rock in the water for a few minutes until my goosebumped skin blotched different colors.
The fishing karma was good though, because once I was dried by the sun and finally dressed, my next cast I pulled in another tiger.

View attachment 69336

Wonderful report, really enjoyed it and I love your photos- thanks for sharing. Beautiful lake reflections and you tricked my mind with the 'perception trick' photo. Also love the picture of your son on the rock looking out over the lake and the beautiful scenery.
 
Great trip report and photos. Is there a travel version of Ticket to Ride? Or you carried in the whole box? Either way, AWESOME :)
 
Very nice, Ugly! Thanks for the great photos.

How would you characterize your proper mood for creating a Trip Report?
 
Wonderful report, and a memorable trip with your son.

Thank you. If it isn't memorable, then something is wrong... haha

Nice report. I like your being distracted by the beauty, delaying getting a good shot. It means things are good! And... good job Dad!

I know you love these piles of rocks out there aka formerly Cuberant. Thank you.

Wonderful report, really enjoyed it and I love your photos- thanks for sharing. Beautiful lake reflections and you tricked my mind with the 'perception trick' photo. Also love the picture of your son on the rock looking out over the lake and the beautiful scenery.

We call those pics of people standing on rocks or on lake shores the instagram shots. I had to wait for him to go back looking for the Pika.
 
Great trip report and photos. Is there a travel version of Ticket to Ride? Or you carried in the whole box? Either way, AWESOME :)

even easier... we use the iphone version, and just pass and play. I get the whole stay away from all electronics mindset, and except for occasional music or GPS we usually do, but there are some nights when you just put up the little foldup chair outside the tent, tuck your feet into the sleeping bag and play a few rounds of something while darkness settles in and the stars come out. Ticket to ride started as something with my daughter on trips. We tried monopoly, but it's just not as good.
 
Very nice, Ugly! Thanks for the great photos.

How would you characterize your proper mood for creating a Trip Report?

The mood may include a desire to torture one's fellow BCP members?
Actually, you know, it probably has to do with chocolate... Usually also happens later at night when some voices go to sleep and others get louder, and when I can hear the aspens rustling in the breeze with the katydids and crickets.
 
Thanks much @DrNed and @Pringles

Should I find the right mood or chocolate there are some others I have never gotten around to. Some remain in darkness, but a couple could make it to reports.
 
Ha! Thanks for getting in the mood with this one. Wonderful writing and beautiful pics! I have a good handful of reports to post myself from this past summer, but right now I'm neck deep in redoing the bathrooms in my house and a few other improvement projects. This also explains why I've been less active here lately, but on a quick check-in, I couldn't resist taking the time to click through into your TR here.
 
Ha! Thanks for getting in the mood with this one. Wonderful writing and beautiful pics! I have a good handful of reports to post myself from this past summer, but right now I'm neck deep in redoing the bathrooms in my house and a few other improvement projects. This also explains why I've been less active here lately, but on a quick check-in, I couldn't resist taking the time to click through into your TR here.
Oh good, glad I could help!
I wondered where you been... enjoy the plumbing n stuff
 
even easier... we use the iphone version, and just pass and play. I get the whole stay away from all electronics mindset, and except for occasional music or GPS we usually do, but there are some nights when you just put up the little foldup chair outside the tent, tuck your feet into the sleeping bag and play a few rounds of something while darkness settles in and the stars come out. Ticket to ride started as something with my daughter on trips. We tried monopoly, but it's just not as good.

Ticket to RIde is way better than Monopoly :)
On my last trip with a kid, we spend time playing Blackjack. I'm not much of a gambler, but a game like Blackjack teaches a lot of basic math and we talked a little bit about probability, i.e. if you take another card, is it likely to help/hurt you.
Another favorite card game is 31 (https://www.bicyclecards.com/how-to-play/thirty-one/) also good for a little math and probability practice.
 
Great report. Thanks for posting. Lots of cool cloud stuff (I've been enthralled by clouds on a recent trip)
 
Awesome trip report! Looks like a really beautiful area and very nice photos, looks like you had some great lighting, thanks for sharing!
 
Stunning stunning stunning!
Thanks for the share!
 
I went into Naturalist Basin a couple of years ago early season as the snow had already melted out. We stayed at East Morat. We hiked Blue, and LeConte but did not make it over to Shaler. We did down climb the cliffs to Jordan, and fished it for a bit before returning the loop back to Morat. I have wanted to go back. Loved the pics, brought back some good memories. Thanks for sharing!
 
I totally forgot when I commented earlier, but @Ugly is this your vehicle?
IMG_0389.jpg

I was at the trail head the Friday before Labor Day when I noticed this Jeep in the parking lot
and if you were at Naturalist Basin the same weekend . . .
 
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NorthwestWanderer First time in the High Uintas | Red Castle SNEAK Loop | I give these mountains 5 out of 5 stars Backpacking 7
scatman Mount Wire Loop - 2003 and 2016? Hiking & Camping 13
TheMountainRabbit Pitchstone/Bechler Loop (Yellowstone NP) - September 2022 Backpacking 17
scatman Teton Wilderness Loop - August 6, 2022 Backpacking 27
Mikjik86 Another Wind River Trip Planning! Elkhart/Titcomb/Knapsack/Shannons Pass loop back to Elkhart, or continue to Green River Lakes Trailhead? Trip Planning 10
scatman Shoshone Lake Lollipop Loop - Yellowstone National Park - July 24, 2022 Backpacking 63
TrailScot "I'll take the High Road ..." - A Loop Hike around the Canyons of Needles - May 2022 Trip Reports 14
BJett Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area Packraft/Backpack Loop (TN) Backpacking 6
Kerrie at Thru We Go Grand Canyon Backpack/Packraft Loop at New Hance Backpacking 11
Duketogo13 BMT- Death Hollow-Escalante Triangle loop Trip Planning 20
M Kannah Creek Basin loop, Grand Junction CO Backpacking 6
T Snow Canyon Loop Hiking & Camping 1
fossana Yellow Rock, Pollock Arch, Hackberry Canyon loop (GSENM) Hiking & Camping 10
scatman The Van Cott Loop - February 13, 2022 Hiking & Camping 9
Wesley Cheaha Freezing Out and Back Loop FAIL Backpacking 12
T Harris Wash/Silver Falls/Choprock/Fence Canyon Loop MLK weekend 2022 Backpacking 8
scatman Grandeur Peak Loop - December 4, 2021 Hiking & Camping 4
scatman Foothill Follies Part 2 - Black Mountain Ridge and City Creek Canyon Loop - November 11, 2021 Hiking & Camping 6
scatman Mount Wire and Mount Van Cott Lollipop Loop (or the Foothill Follies) - November 6. 2021 Hiking & Camping 20
scatman Hayden Valley Loop - Yellowstone National Park - September 17, 2021 Hiking & Camping 34
stretch Grand Canyon Loop: Thunder River -> Tapeats -> Kanab -> Sowats Backpacking 22
Bob Wind Rivers - Lee Lake Loop Backpacking 6
TheMountainRabbit Southern Absaroka Loop (Teton/Washakie Wilderness) - August 2021 Backpacking 8
scatman Snake River Lollipop Loop - Yellowstone National Park - August 8, 2021 Backpacking 45

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