So we didn't really get a chance to tell a lot of people about our big hike in July that was for seven days...this may be long. We had first planned this hike at the end of March and we were going to do the whole 75 mile hike of
the Highline Trail in the Uinta's. So we attempted to train so we could be in shape...but Mark and I didn't technically do anything until June and hiked Rock Canyon twice a week for 5 miles. Anyway so we are stoked to do this...some in Mark's family were so stoked we packed our packs in May, including food!
ONE-FRIDAY: the morning of July 25th we woke up and went up to the trail head taken by my mother in law. We started and of coarse I brought up the rear because Mark, his brothers and dad took giant leaps! I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up, but lovingly Mark stayed close by. The first day we hiked 12 miles in. Getting up to Pigeon Milk Springs was so hard for me...rocks everywhere and uphill for about 3 miles (a couple times I had to remind myself to breathe, because I thought I was going to pass out, i am good at it). We finally made it and ate lunch where I thought there was no way I could hike the 5 more miles. We hiked up Rocky Sea Pass which was cake I thought and going down all I could say is that I was glad I didn't have to hike back up, little did I know! We then kept hiking with few breaks and about 2 miles before Gladys Lake, our stop for the day. Mark and I were so slow, I almost thought I was going to die and I kept telling myself I was way over my head, which I was, Mark admits it too! We just kept saying keep moving, his knee hurt my hip hurt and it just sucked! We finally made it to camp and fished. The mosquito's were awful! I CAUGHT
THE FIRST FISH OF THE TRIP AND THE COOLEST CATCH! I thought I was going to not get the first fish, and Mark really wanted me to beat Chad-his brother. I thought Chad had one, but his lure got caught and ended up breaking his pole. So I casted and the wind came up and I knew it was bad so I just reeled in and all of a sudden I hear splashing and my father in law says you got one...it was hanging half way out of the water in a dead tree. Mark saved the day and got it out, sorry no picture. Mark caught about 15 fish and I caught 7.
DAY 2-SATURDAY: We were supposed to be up at 6am, but woke up when we wanted. We decided to hike out, it was supposed to be an 8 mile day, however we made it not even 2 miles. We fished the lake of coarse, Mark caught another fisherman's lure at the bottom of the lake. We decided to set up camp there and good thing we did cuz it rained. We ended up staying here for most of the week because we were awesome backpackers...and it did have a nice set up for a fire and such! Today was also the first day I drank out of a spring without purifying the water
DAY 3-SUNDAY: Chad made an itinerary and Sunday it said 6am begin lounging...lol! We played games all day and enjoyed ourselves. We had an opportunity to have church at "Chapel Rock" named by Rob, my father in law. It was a great experience, having sacrament and priesthood,
and for my sake Relief Society...we had to cut it short cuz it started raining like no other.
DAY 4-MONDAY: We had quite the day of fishing. Most of us went on a long day hike to go fish a bunch of lakes...our hands got toasted from being on the lakes all day. We went to Reconnaissance, Triangle, Boot, and Doug Lakes. I was an awesome fisher woman, and Mark too! In Triangle Lake the fish were so tiny, they fit in Mark's palm, they were so tiny I was ALMOST attempted to touch one. (FYI-I refuse to touch fish, Mark does it for me, he is so nice)
Day 5-TUESDAY: Chad, Dad, and Rob went and fished Lightning Lake...my hands hurt from the sun and Mark almost went...but decided to help Greg teach me Pinochle. The Hughes' family
always wants to play and for some reason I resented the game...but Mark and Greg are good teachers and patient. We were just plain amazing! That night we had a tournament...Mark and Greg, Rob and Chad, Me and Dad. Greg said it was the first tournament ever finished. Mark and Greg got eliminated in 2 rounds by me and dad...YES! But Rob and Chad won...the lucky beasts! This night was the only wildlife I had heard, an elk came in the camp, cuz Chad called it in...I was freaked out and Mark just said hmmmmmm.
Day 6: Wednesday: We hiked out to Pigeon Milk Springs, that's right where we started! It was a good hike, Chad was awesome and took my pack up Rocky Sea for me. I then took my time, it was great...we then found the camping spot that the Hughes' had used before with an awesome kitchen. That night they then had to decide when to go home...Thursday, Friday, or Saturday...keep in mind it was supposed to be till Saturday. You totally have to watch the video because it is hilarious!
Day 7: Thursday: So we pack up that morning and Greg and Rob head out first so they can call for someone to pick us up. Dad, Chad, Mark and I went and fished Carolyn Lake so we could catch some Arctic Greyling (Mark's favorite). These fish were mean and really feisty! They had a beautiful dorsal fin though. So we started hiking out and we are about halfway done and we ate lunch when all of a sudden we see Greg...they took a wrong turn...so sad! We then made it the rest of the way which seemed like it took forever cuz you could hear the highway. I was never more excited to shower!
FISH COUNT
490 Dinner-I had red on my hands from the koolaid
DAD: 148
CHAD: 148
ROB: 68
MARK: 72
MANDI: 50
GREG: 14
Chad's awesome fishing skills Mark's Arctic Greylin
Below the video of the Hughes' boys and what they do best...making decisions and pacing
