Toquer Lake High Uintas Wilderness, Utah

Plan A was to go into Rock Creek. We were going to try and make it to Ledge Lake. Didn't think we'd make it that far because of the snow. This is our third attempt to even find the trailhead. We went in on one road that the maps were telling us we could go in on. We hit tribal grounds so we had to turn around. Went up a different road. It looked like we were going to make it. All the signs were saying we were heading to Rock Creek and then we started hitting snow drifts that we kind of go the long way around. Got up here to Upper Stillwater. I haven't seen the reservoir yet but we're up here by Upper Stillwater Reservoir and then we get to the actual trailhead and this is on the gate which essentially says the trail is closed and it is unlawful to be on the trail. So that's a real bummer. We're kind of formulating a Plan B right now. So we went to Rock Creek Trail originally and that trail was closed. It took us several attempts to get there. Ridiculous. Then we went to, well we came up to Moon Lake and we were going to go up to like Kidney Lake and there's a few lakes up in there. That trail too was closed. So now I think we found one. We're here, like I say, at Moon Lake. We're gonna, looks like hike over to Fish Lake Trailhead and then up into Toker Lake. So we'll see how that goes. I mean at this point it's just be nice to get on trail. So all right so I think we're ******* finally on trail after multiple attempts and multiple trailheads. Looks like we're gonna skirt around. This is Moon Lake here and obviously a lot of runoff. It's pretty brown but we're gonna skirt around this and then it'll shoot up off it looks like on the map and it'll shoot up to the top and we'll drop down into the other trailhead. Sketchy bit of trail. I don't know, I don't know if that does it justice but that's a pretty steep, steep embankment. You go down here that's definitely a Missouri boat ride to the lake. Definitely a rough start to the trip but to be honest we were just happy to finally be on trail. We'd anticipated some weather and we fully expected to run into snow at some point. So the plan was we'd just push until we hit more snow than we wanted to walk through. Now while I know Travis had already had quite a few adventures at this point this was our first trip. Matter of fact the first time the two of us had actually hiked together. So as you can imagine we were both pretty excited to be where we were at. We started this trip in a light drizzle but we knew the weather could change and change it did. Running into our first patches of snow or ice. Might be more like ices. Decided we'd stop and get some calories in us before we head up. Head on whatever you want to say, I won't put it. Definitely doesn't look like this is letting up anytime soon. This is uh this is kind of what we're looking at. I'm shaking. It's cold. I can't feel my fingers. Let's finish getting our carps and our hammocks up. I think fire's in order. Get warmed up and then we'll finish setting up. But didn't make it as far as we wanted which is usually the story. This time though it was mostly just the snow and found a meadow here that finally had some flat ground. Had some trees. So we set up here. Taking that. Cook some food. I don't know what's on the docket for the rest of the day but it's about four o'clock now. So you know as bad as it was today. Now it looks like I'm not saying it's clearing up but there's some sunshine poking through. So we'll see what that does. My guess is it's going to be a cold night. So I'm on fire. Chase is on water. So he's down filling up the filter. Wish me luck. Hopefully there'll be a fire here within the next few minutes. It's still cold. All right it is uh morning day two. We're packed up. We're heading out of camp. Unfortunately it didn't get as cold as we were thinking it might have last night. I mean it was cold but it wasn't as bad as we thought it was going to be. So now we're trying to make our way to Toker Lake. Definitely walking in snow. Getting a little sunshine right now though. So that's always a bonus. See how long it lasts. It was a new day. We even had a little bit of sunshine. And even though we were walking on snow for most of the day it frozen enough the night before that we were staying on top for the most part. We just reached the junction with Fish Creek Trail. It's been following rock carns. It's about the only way to tell that you're even on trail. We're getting there. Yeah we're just going to cut across here and try to meet back up with the trail heading up to Toker Lake. This is the trail. A lot of snow back here. Luckily it's hard enough we're able to stay on top. It's not terrible and we're seeing enough of the trail that we can always follow it. Yeah on our way to Toker Lake. We just traversed a few boulder fields. Trying you know off trail. We couldn't find the trail. I think we're back on it. And actually not to jinx it but the trail's almost dry. It's kind of took up some time getting away. Stopping to have a little break. About maybe just a little less than halfway to Toker Lake. Hasn't been too bad. I mean there's snow banks that we're crossing but we're still able to follow the trail. So hasn't been bad. Now we just stop and drop packs and take in some calories and enjoy some sunshine for a minute. And obviously let the dogs play. Yeah that's the trail. Trail crews definitely have their work cut out for them. Yeah this will make it official. We're crossing over into the highway. How you in this wilderness area. Looks like we're gonna have to earn it right out the gate. Like a champ. Rock carns and blazes was about all it was keeping us on trail. Most of the rock carns were buried in snow and there just weren't that many blazes. But eventually we made it to the lake. Morning. Morning of day three. Going home day. Got pretty cold last night. Apparently had some wind. I slipped through it. But uh beautiful day today. Bluebird day in fact. Here at Toker Lake. I'm guessing we probably have somewhere in the area 10 miles to get back. Which isn't too bad except there is a lot of snow to deal with. Hopefully we get out here early enough. It'll still be hard enough. We'll stay on top of it for the most part. But we will see. It is what it is. What it is is beautiful out here. Would have been nice if the lake would have been a little more open. It'd been pretty cold the night before. Pretty much anything touching the ground froze to the ground. Including my battery pack. So I was trying to thaw her out so I could charge up my phone. Well we're packed up. Heading out. Been on trail probably just 15-20 minutes is all. Beautiful beautiful day. Good hike and snow. Staying hard enough to stay on top of. So so far so good. ------- beautiful place up here. Best part has been no people. Haven't seen a soul. Leaving the wilderness area. It's been tough going but it's been a good one. Now this is where we cross and try to make it across this log and I guess figure out how to get across. Always an adventure. Piece of cake. It's uh just a little bit afternoon. Um we're probably a little over five miles from Toker. Decided to stop take a break. My god you cannot beat the scenery here. So yeah gonna get a few calories in us and get back on trail. First views of it in the home stretch. All right oh due to a navigational error on my part we ended up on the wrong side of mountain. We were over on that slope and we needed to be on this slope. We climbed down a stream and just shot up what I'm calling now the steepest ---- I've ever climbed with the pack on my back. Not fun. Back on trail though. You see the trip. It had been quite an adventure and for our first trip of the season it was definitely one for the books. Pretty sure we had seen all four seasons over the last three days.