Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail

MOAB

Activity: Day Hike

2.5 miles, 485′ elevation change, 90 min duration, rated Moderate

Date: 3-17-23

This hike is a must do while in the Moab area. It is in the canyon lands of Utah just outside Arches National Park on BLM land and carries the designation of a National Recreation Trail. These two arches, Bowtie Arch and Corona Arch are fabulous and that is coming from someone that just completed Arches National Park which has more arches than anywhere else and these two are stupendous as well. Plus the bonus is there is no charge and it does not have the big crowds like a National Park.

To gain access to the hike you will make your way along Potash Road which runs along the Colorado River. The hike starts out pretty steep right off the bat out of the trailhead. The trailhead has a good amount of parking and a descent national park pit-toilet style bathroom. As you gain altitude you will have some nice views of the Colorado River below before making your way further back into Bootlegger Canyon.

The hike is made up of slickrock benches and there is a particularly steep and somewhat exposed section that has a chain to aid your climb and right after the chains there is a ladder to navigate. At that point you will have marvelous views of Bowtie Arch and then Corona Arch. The setting with it’s rugged red rock is as if you stepped into one of your favorite Old Time Westerns.

The chains portion of the hike to Corona Arch.

A group of college “Spring Breakers” maneuver a steep section towards Corona Arch.

As you close in on the arches the first one is Bowtie Arch. It is a pothole type of arch. It was formed when a pothole above erodes down into the alcove below. When you view this rather unusual formation straight on it has the appearance of a bowtie and thus the name.

Bowtie Arch, a pot-hole type of natural arch.

Bowtie Arch

Corona Arch is close by and it stands 105 feet tall and 140 feet across. The arch is composed of Navajo sandstone and is sometimes referred to as “Little Rainbow Bridge”. I hiked through and then beyond the arch and perched myself on a slanted portion of the canyon wall and just sat back in awe of this magnificent scene.

Corona Arch stands 105′ and is 140′ across.

Corona Arch

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“Heaven is under our feet as well as above our heads.” – Henry David Thoreau Walden 

Thanks for joining me in Moab while ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure. Moab is the quintessential desert canyon playground, a place I have wanted to visit for sometime ever since watching the movie ‘127 Hours’. I tried to get a hold of James Franco to give me a hand with the planning, but got no reply. As I gazed upon this fragile rock formation, seemly balanced in the sky, I couldn’t help but reflect on the Balance that viewing this Monument of Nature brought to me. I took a breath and traced the bridge of rock with my eyes which brought a huge smile to my face. There is more adventures ahead and I invite you to stay with me by doing this: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu above shows the many locations that PBTA travels to across this great West. The menu is categorized by location and sometimes activity. Each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. The hat I am wearing in the video is part of my Adventure Wear Collection, and carries the PBTA Logo. If I sell just 5,000 of them I might pay for the gas for this Utah Road Trip. So hurry over to SHOP APPAREL and pick yours up today.

Happy Trials-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Cathedral in the Desert

GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

LAKE POWEL

Activity: Exploration, Boating

Date: 7-21-21

Sunlight filtered down through the slot in the Canyon. Near the top of the chamber, a domed roof of this saintly cathedral amplifies the sound of trickling water. The sunlight hit a reflecting pool and danced on the surrounding circular walls colored with hues of red, gold, brown and yellow. The beauty of this massive chasm of sandstone, with water gently cascading down the rock face of the 40’ waterfall, cast a spell of solemn reverence on all who saw.

The feeling of inspiring awe was undeniable. This was something that has been called, ”One of the most stunning sites on Earth”. Indeed this is a spectacular natural monument in Glen Canyon. What I did not realize is that few had seen this spot since the 1960’s when the dam flooded Glen Canyon creating Lake Powell. The Cathedral in the Desert had been lost to the lake until the severe drought had recently gave it, and all of us, this breath of fresh air, bringing this holy chamber back to the light of day. A modern story of Paradise Lost and Paradise Re-Found.

A week of House Boating on Lake Powell, under very strange circumstances, had brought us to many spectacular finds. One such find was what we affectionally called the “Toilet Bowl”. This giant skylight in the ceiling was just a matter of years ago a swimming pool rimmed in stone, but now was a 80’ drop from above.

The dramatic drop of water level had closed marinas and actually shut down the lake to houseboat launching and recovery while we were there. In fact, the recreation area as we now know it, is in peril and it’s future unknown due to the sever drought. But this drop of water emptied the lake of most boat travel, giving us the lake practically to ourselves. There were beaches where none had been before, the cavern walls were higher and the channels more narrow and shallow. It was really another lake in some ways. And in this way uncovered the buried treasure in Glen Canyon’s arm of the Escalante, in Clear Creek Canyon- Behold, the Cathedral in the Desert.

We arrived by boat to a place that before was submerged.

You can get a feel for the enormity of this place when you see my friends entering the Cathedral.

With the extreme drop in water level at Lake Powell the Cathedral of the Desert is reborn.

40’ Cathedral of the Desert Waterfall

Waterfalls were meant to be seen in motion click PBTA YouTube Channel.

“Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory.” – Betty Smith

Thanks for joining my friends and I as we made an exploration of a place so special that it is almost spiritual, the Cathedral in the Desert while ’Pursing Balance Through Adventure’ at Glen Canyon’s Lake Powell. The spot that I am standing in this picture was under 150’ of water for more than half a century. Now that is the kind of adventure worth pursuing, the balance one obtains from such exposure sets your soul free, and that is what Profound Experiences in Nature can do. For other adventures in nature please stick with me by doing these simple tasks: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. I am not wearing much in the picture, but if I was than I would be wearing Adventure Wear, which you can too by making a purchase from SHOP APPAREL, which carries the PBTA Logo and mantra. It is top quality gear. Once you are outfitted then go to the menu to see the many glorious spots that PBTA ventures to, each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

HOLE in the ROCK TRAIL

GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

LAKE POWELL

Activity: Day Hike, Scrambling

2 miles, 225’-1,400’ elevation gain, 2 hours duration, rated Moderate to Hard 

‘Hole in the Rock’ is the exact spot that Mormon Settler Pioneers made their way from the East, across vast desert, to these bluffs and lowered wagons down to the Colorado River below as they forged their way West towards a new life, and a new beginning.

Fun and historic hike, much of it is scrambling. There are plenty of fun obstacles including, but not limited to fat man squeeze, a hole or two to climb through, and a couple of spots that require light rock climbing. Remember it is easier to go up then down when seeking hand and footholds. At the top was a standout view of Hole in the Rock and Lake Powell down below, but beware- the wind was blowing hard towards the edge. Our friend Hank’s hat blew off and we found it a quarter mile down the scramble. 

I guess I should have recorded my hike to have more exacting information, instead I have to report what information I have found. I have heard the hike called Moderate, I have heard it called Hard and also Strenuous. The only way that I can think that it wouldn’t be Hard is because it is not a long hike. I have also seen varied accounts of the elevation gain that started at 225’, which in my opinion is totally off. I would think that it is much closer to the upper range that I have read claiming 1,400’ elevation gain. Even 1,400’ is not a lot of gain on a hike, but the difference is this is a short hike in length so it is a steep scramble. As I have mentioned, there were two spots, that called for what I refer to as light rock climbing. This was a section that you need good hand and footholds. Coming back down I was a little stuck, but luckily I had friends that had my back, well… backside actually. Luckily she was a cute young Doctor so I suppose it is alright, lol. Bring water after all this is the desert and you will be asserting yourself as you climb the steep route, good foot wear is essential, not like our friend John who obviously wasn’t expecting to hike, just water ski during our Lake Powell Trip. But he said it’s fine, his Extreme Athlete son bought the sandals in Telluride, besides they were good enough for Jesus.

We left on this hike later in the day to let it cool down a bit, and to take advantage of shadows casts on the rock crack we were working our way up. It might have been even better to go in the morning, but we were taking advantage of morning glass for wake boarding. There is only so much time to squeeze everything in when you are on adventure…

We were amazed as we followed the steps of history. It was hard enough to hike/scramble this slot, how these early pioneers managed wagons with all of their belongings down this spot I will never know. They were people of strong character, with a never say die attitude.

Click the PBTA YouTube Vlog

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  The sign is weathered from the unrelenting elements, but the incredible story can still be read.

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I suppose the Mormon Settlers enjoyed the same type of sunset all those years ago as they made their way down ‘Hole in the Rock’.

“May your rivers flow without end… down into a desert of red rock, blue mesas, domes and pinnacles and grottos of endless stone, and down again into a deep vast ancient unknown chasm where bars of sunlight blaze on profiled cliffs… where something strange and more beautiful and more full of wonder than your deepest dreams waits for you-beyond that next turning of the canyon walls.” – Edward Abbey

Thanks for joining me and my Lake Powell Houseboat Trip Adventurers as we discovered ourselves ’Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ at ‘Hole in Rock’ in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area at Lake Powell. This hike added to the glorious week we spent together taking a break from the hustle and bustle we call everyday life and balancing it with exercise, fresh air and sunshine, togetherness, and bountiful and unique natural beauty. For more adventures please stay with us by doing these few simple tasks: COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE. You should go to the menu above and checkout the many places that PBTA ventures to. Each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Also checkout SHOP APPAREL for all of your top quality adventure wear needs. Of course you will find the PBTA Logo which is the mantra with which to explore our natural world and at the same time ourselves.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Dramatic Black and White Photos of Lake Powell

As Seen Through the Lens of Roger Jenkins

Lake Powell in Black and White Showcases it’s Ageless Beauty

A Powerful and Dramatic Back Drop to the Waters of Lake Powell

The Camera Captures this Strong Image of this Wild Land

This Artist Piece Could be a Day Old or a 150 Years

This Haunting Image Beacons You Deeper and Deeper in the Canyon Despite the Encroaching Storm

Lake Powell is Truly Magnicient Even in Black and White

Violent Monsoon Storm Races Across the Desert

Moonlight sparkling on Lake Powell

Houseboat Adventure on Lake Powell

GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Activity: House Boating, Skiing/Wakeboarding, Hiking/Scrambling, SUP, Kayaking, Swimming, Boating, and Jet Skiing

Dates: July 16-24, 2021

Lake Powell is a special place in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area on the boarder of Arizona and Utah. It’s beauty and wonder is vast, untamed and ever changing. This was my second time to join friends for a week of fun and adventure aboard their 65’ houseboat.

My friends are experts at this houseboat vacation in the wild as this is their annual pilgrimage to this oasis in the desert, that they have been enjoying for a couple decades.

This particular trip was unique even to them as a decade or more of drought has made severe changes as the water level plummets. The Canyons, it’s walls and rock formations now even taller, the water channels that snake through the rock narrower and more shallow. There were beaches where there had been none before, and there were more obstacles in the water to beware of.

The water is so low it is incredible. One of the major launch areas Antelope Point is closed as the launch ramp is so low that the end has a big drop off. Even where we launched in Page, Arizona they were not allowing rentals to go past Padre Bay. The crazy thing is right after we launched they closed our ramp to all house boats. The level of the lake was falling four inches a day, which is pretty dramatic especially on a lake this size. So we really didn’t have many boats on the lake once we pasted that area. Unfortunately the company that launched our boat said that we must be back a day early. 

One nice benefit is this very popular lake usual buzzing with gorgeous decked out ski boats, fast jet skis, and fully equipped houseboats was relatively quiet and became more sparse the farther we went on our trip, so we practically had the place to ourselves. One drawback is the closures meant we could not refuel far up the lake. We brought a bunch of gas cans with us, cut back a bit on usage, and traveled a little less.

We motored some fifty miles up the lake during our journey stopping at a different spot each night. The hot days were exploration packed with a full array of water toys with which to cool off. The water temperature remained a constant perfect . Rock formations all along our trip were absolutely stunning. The landscape was awe inspiring every where you look. We were always taking excursions. One such event was an arch, hole cut in a ceiling, which probably has a name but we nicknamed it “Toilet Bowel.” Another spot was aptly named Cathedral of the Canyons as it was almost spiritual in it grandeur, such a splendid and impressive place with a wonderful little waterfall.

It was monsoon season so several of our evenings clouded up and we even had a little rain. Near the end of our vacation we had two afternoons of big, powerful, dangerous and frightening thunderstorms.

We also got in a couple of hikes Hole in the Rock and on a little bluff over looking Big Water.

Lake Time, ski time, sun time, paddle time, fun time! Friends, house boating, good food and celebrating. Canyons, plateaus, bluffs, arches, formations. Colorful sunsets, full moon rising, storm clouds, waves, rain.

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We took a couple of ski boats and the jet ski to this formation that we nick named the “Toilet Bowl”. A few of us swam around in the Toilet and climbed up the back of the cave.

Could there be any more beautiful place to wakeboard?

I suppose the Mormon Settlers enjoyed the same type of sunset all those years ago as they made their way down ‘Hole in the Rock’.

Looks like a lighthouse, a beacon of hope for travelers, and in a way it is. The full moon rises over the canyon wall and light spills over reflecting on the cove of our anchorage.

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One of our excursions was basically a sunset booze cruise trying to outrun the waning light and the approaching storm.

We enjoyed a new anchorage and new adventure every night. When the storm arrived we thought we were all snug in our protected little cove until pebbles started raining down on us as the high winds swept crossed the bluff above.

We enjoyed our scrumptious dinners. Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, our friend Hank, kept us well fed on the house boat’s roof top patio with views of the Glen Canyon all around.

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These 2 shots were taken under the full moon in the middle of the night.

Video of our trip on ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ YouTube Channel

“There is no Lake like Powell for beauty, house boating, and water skiing.” – John Forgrave 

Thanks for joining me and our motley crew of fun seekers as we found ourselves ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ at fabulous Lake Powell for a week of wonder and fellowship truly unwinding, completely detached from the work a day world and trading it’s fast pace for about 6-8 knots on a houseboat with toys in tow. For more on our Lake Powell experience as well as more adventures in the wilds of Utah you will want to stayed tuned by performing these easy tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. To explore other adventures throughout the West take a look at the menu above. For top quality Adventure Wear to protect from the sun and carries the ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ Logo and Mantra please visit SHOP APPAREL.

Happy Trails,

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

PBTA 1000 Followers Contest Winner!!

Corona virus – take a hike

Original quote from Roger Jenkins of Pursuing Balance Through Adventure, and important message regarding the Corona Virus, as part of my regular postings. Please Click Below

Little sycamore canyon/serrano ridge/west Canyon loop

The Narrows

Zion National Park

Near Springdale, Utah

Activity: Day Hike, river hiking

Date: July 26, 2019

Zion National Park is a special place.  I have hiked and backpacked there multiple times and each time filled with wonder and amazement.  It is a different type of beauty from other National Parks and that in itself makes it so special.  The tan, orange, and brown Navajo sandstone massive rock cliffs, peaks, formations, and canyon are simply a marvel.

A Summer time treat is to hike the famous Narrows.  When the weather is hot, the Virgin River, which cuts through the narrow canyon, is most inviting.  I did this hike with my friend Jackie and her daughter Elena.  The trick is to arrive early to beat the crowd and although we left the Vegas area well before dawn that was still not early enough for this popular Summer time hike.

There is almost always a chance of flash floods with the Summer Monsoon Season, in fact we had delayed our trip one day because of 40% chance of thunderstorms.  This day’s forecast was only a slight chance early on, but when we arrived they were again forecasting 40% chance of thunderstorms and possible flash flooding.  The problem is even if the area you are in looks okay, a storm miles away can still affect where you are hiking sending a torrent of water and debris rushing through the canyon.  Four years ago it took the lives of seven canyoneers.   So the warnings are not to be taken lightly.

To get to the Narrows you need to board the bus at the Vistor’s Center and once aboard enjoy a scenic drive through the canyon and exit the last stop, the Temple of Sinawava.  From there you take a delightful short hike, which is extraordinary with views of the canyon walls, greenery, and the river you will not find anywhere else.  Then you enter the water.  You need to have sturdy shoes or boots with ankle support would be best as you will be walking through still to rushing water any where from your ankles to your waist, or even swimming.  The rocks can be slippery so if you have trekking poles or a hiking stick bring them.  They will come in handy.  You can rent these type items just outside the park.

On this hot Summer day there were plenty of folks starting this adventure with us, in fact it looked like a Disneyland ride.  But the good news is the farther you go the more the throng of humanity thins out, add some threatening clouds, rain and some claps of thunder and you will practically have the place to yourself.

The weather started out Blue Bird perfect, but when we were the furtherest into the slot canyon is when it started thundering and the rain started falling.  So on the side of caution we started heading back, well… after track star Elena and I ran up one very narrow finger of a canyon to see what we could see, just as some people were heading in the opposite direction as fast as they could saying you probably don’t want to go that way.  One funny thing, Jackie was concerned about the chance of flash flooding early on, but when we were actually under that threat she and Elena were the ones still stopping and posing for selfies, lol!

As we headed back it wasn’t too long before the storm passed and we were back to nice weather and now we had the Narrows relatively to ourselves.

Fantastic hike one of the most popular in the country and for good reason.

 

Fine line between Foolishness and Bravery. Mark Twain felt better to look back on his life and regret the things that he had done rather than those he had not done.

Thanks for joining me and my friends Pursuing Balance Through Adventure at this very special place and this unique venture into Zion and the Narrows. Please won’t you LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE? After all this is my job.

-Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure

Ibantik Lake Trail

Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest

Mirror Lake Area, near Kamas, Utah

Activity: Backpacking, Hiking

Date: August 6-8, 2019

9 miles, elevation change 1,110’, 6 hours of hiking, rated Moderate

This was my second alpine backpacking adventure back to back in the Salt Lake City region, out past Park City and beyond passed the small town of Kamas, Utah.  This hike was different in the terrain, as well as the look and feel compared to the days I spent just before at Red Pine Lake.  Both are top rated backpacking/hiking locations and certainly did not disappoint.

The hike moves past little ponds, lakes, and marshy areas rich with wildflowers.  The elevation change steepens as you move up to the “Notch” allowing wonderful views in both directions.  I was greeted by the most beautiful mountain goats up on the cliffs above.  Heading down the other side I found more examples of splendid wildflowers, and I thought to myself, if you had unlimited funds and a team of landscapers you still could not recreate what God has done.

I arrived at Ibantik Lake and set up my camp that would be my home for the next couple nights.  It was a great spot with the major feature being the rock ‘Notch Mountain’ Cliff at the base of the lake, towering over a 1000’ above Ibantik Lake which sits at about 10,000 feet.

The next day I explored the other side of the lake where it was much greener, had plenty of primitive backpacking camp sites, forest, meadows, babbling brook, a mountain peak with a little snow, and a wonderful little waterfall that was so perfect it looked like a water feature at a resort.  But this of course, is nature’s resort.

Later that day a rain shower moved through and for 15 minutes I stayed in my tent.  When I emerged there was a whole family of mountain goats right near me on a little rocky ridge.  So Cool!  Then a couple hours later it rained even harder for 3 hours!  Ugh!  That was more than my 15 year old tent could manage I suppose, as it was leaking from the ceiling, and water was pooling up from the bottom.  Here I was huddled on my inflatable sleeping bad trying to keep my sleeping bag dry while I had dripping coming down from above.  I was pondering a cold, wet uncomfortable night if everything is damp, as even in the summer the nights dipped down into the high 30’s.  Luckily about an hour or so before sunset the clouds parted and the sun-shined.  I took everything apart and laid it out in the sun and the breeze to dry out my gear, so it was all good.

This was a wonderful hike.  Ibantik Lake Trail is a special place.  I highly recommend it.

Just a beautiful area.

This backpacking adventure started out special right from the beginning with this nice stream and little falls.

This adventure had wildflowers that were off the charts. In this marshy area there was an abundance of color and beauty.

As I hiked through the “Notch” the highest point of my hike I looked up to a spectacular sight, gorgeous mountain goats on the cliffs above.

This is from the top of the Notch looking out over the Ibantik Lake area. This region is full of little alpine lakes and ponds.

Ibantik lake is roughly 10,000’ Notch Mountain in the background rises above 11,000.

Zen like waterfall, so relaxing, tranquil and peaceful.

This area is on the opposite shore from my camp. It has many more sites, greenery, a peak with a little snow, and a waterfall.

After an afternoon rain I emerged from my tent to be pleasantly surprised by a family of mountain goats. There are two in the picture. The little ones had just bound over the little ridge by the time a clicked this photo.

My home for a couple nights, amongst the stars, the firs, and the boulders.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller

Fill you soul with Balance. You can do it through Adventure. Pursuit, like the journey, is more important than the destination. Please COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW Pursuing Balance Through Adventure. -Roger Jenkins

This short video sums up my Pursuing Balance Through Adventure at Both Red Pine and Ibantik Lakes

Red Pine Lake Trail

Lone Peak Wilderness Area/Wasatch National Forest

Near Draper UT outside of Salt Lake City

Activity: Backpacking for Camping or Day Hike

Date: August 4-6, 2019

Distance: Trailhead to Red Pine Lake round trip 7 miles, (if you add Upper Red Pine Lake and secret falls 10 total miles), elevation change: 2,100’ (if you add the second lake perhaps another 500’), rated: Hard

Red Pine Lake Trail is one of the top 10 backpacking destinations in Utah.  It did not disappoint.  It seemed like the hiking I have done around Southern California was leading to this.  It was really spectacular.  The trail was steep, hard and a workout.  Most people did it as a day hike and obviously not hauling a heavy back would make a big difference, but staying on the lake at night was so special that I stayed two nights.

When I arrived on a Sunday late afternoon I was able to find a spot to park despite how popular this hike is mostly because people were finishing their hike about the time I was arriving.  So I had to push myself harder than I wanted so that I would arrive before dark.  Well, being steep with a large elevation gain and at a fairly high altitude it was taking longer than I planned.

I was close to my destination, but now it was dark, and my newest headlamp’s batteries were too low to give me any assistance.  I pulled out my backup and it was an old model and didn’t help much either.  I have a nice backpacking lantern and that was going to have to do.  I arrived at the lake in pitch dark and was unsure of a place to camp.  Lucky for me I could see a couple headlamps around part of the lake and I headed in that directions.  I met a couple nice young men whom were also there for the first time and the pointed out a good place to pitch my tent.  On this Sunday night we had the place to our selves.

I got settled in for the night and about an hour or so later I could see and hear the approaching storm.  It wasn’t long before we were feeling the wrath of nature with a intense thunderstorm, strong wind, lightning and thunder, and it rained for about an hour.  I could hear my neighbors talking amongst themselves, “What do you want to do pack it in and head home?”  The more experienced of the two told him the only concern that he had was the trees overhead and either a bolt hitting them or perhaps the winds bringing down a limb.  He decide that the tree was okay and we all road out the storm just fine.

The next morning I hiked up through the woods, as far as I could, and across a boulder field to a ridge above.  I have been given a tip by a fit young couple that were day hikers.   They knew the area well and said to check out the second lake, Upper Red Pine Lake.  There were several little amazing alpine lakes up there at the 10,000’ level and I was so thankful for the advice.

I worked my way down from above taking a little different route down a grassy area as far as I could before tackling the boulder field, and then along a wonderful stream and through the woods back to my camp.

The following morning I packed up and headed down.  The views along the way were to die for.  The trail was so beautiful with different type of trees, not only the fir trees, but the aspens were fantastic. I loved the sound of the leaves as the wind blew through them.  The peak-a-boo views of the near by ridge were so outstanding that you didn’t want to take your eyes off of it.  I saw one young women almost trip for that very reason.

Speaking of which, I don’t know what the deal was, but the trail hikers going up were 90% young, fit, attractive women.  I even joked one group about that and I didn’t quite catch what she said it was either “that must be a treat”, or perhaps she said “it was a retreat”.  But either way it was indeed a treat.

Three fourths of the way down I had heard about an unmarked trail right after a bridge that crossed rushing water.  A quarter of a mile in was a superb waterfall.  I hiked up both sides of the stream towards the falls, but the best trail and views were from the up hill trail.  The waterfall topped off what was a fantastic adventure in the Wasatch National Forest.  I highly recommend this hike, and if you get the chance to camp there all the better.

Map of trail to Red Pine Trail

There is just something about water tumbling over rock that frees your mind of the worry at least for the time you spend there.

Red Pine Lake is blooming awesome!

So pretty that it looks like someone planted it there.

On one side of the lake it was almost like a flower garden of wild flowers.

Looking out across the lake to the grove of firs is where I set up camp for a couple nights.

A view from the boulder field across at

The Upper Red Pine Lakes are certainly worth the additional climb.

Looking down on Red Pine Lake from above.

There is no clear path to Upper Red Pine Lake. I worked my way through the wooded area as far as I could and then across the boulder field, but on the way down, I spied another route through a crassy area and then through the boulder field, and then the woods. All fun and adventurous.

For a rat, I thought this little critter was pretty cute.

Very dramatic shot of the hike along the babbling brook, through the boulder field across the top of the ridge to Upper Red Pine Lake

The bugs were pretty bad in places, so bug spray was in order and at times I even put on the mosquito netting.

Love the aspens and the sound of the leaves and the breeze.

The hike may be a bit strenuous but the views along the way are outstanding.

Looking out of the Valley, surprising that this stunning place is only 25 miles from Salt Lake City

There are different ways of crossing streams, wading through, hoping across rocks, crossing a log, or in this case there is a nice little log bridge.

On an unmarked trail in about 1/8 of mile is this beautiful, no to missed little falls. Speaking of falls the rocks are slippery, and just because they look the same, and you tested the grip of your shoes on the rock, it could change as you get closer.

“The mountains are calling and I must go.” — John Muir

Utah has some great hiking, so I invite you to get your blood pumping, breath some cool mountain air, smell the light scent of wildflowers, take in the beauty of nature, and set your soul free. This is Roger Jenkins and I hope to see you soon Pursuing Balance Through Adventure. Please COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZVo2sTAB-Q&feature=share