Blake went with Scout and his brothers John, Scott and Paul to the Uintas last week. They left from Salt Lake City around 9:00 am on February 2. Around 11:00 am, they reached the trailhead located about 30 min south of Evanston, WY. It took them a while to get changed into their snow gear and cross-country skis, but they managed to start just before noon. Whether or not the groundhog saw his shadow on this Groundhod Day, the boys enjoyed warm sunshine for almost 4 and half miles of the groomed gradual-uphill trail and wouldn't have minded these winter-time conditions for 6 more MONTHS. They maintained a brisk pace not considering that they stopped periodically to shed layers and tank up on water and food while Scout pranced around in the powder while he waited for somebody to offer up some leftovers. They traveled almost five miles in less than two hours and it looked like they would reach their destination faster than they thought.The storm from the previous night brought about a foot of snow at the trailhead elevation of
8,500' but the groomed trail and warm conditions lessened the burden of having to blaze fresh tracks. As the boys went farther from the trailhead and higher in elevation, however, the clouds seemed to drown out the sun and the trail became less traveled. Cold gusts of wind covered the tracks with drifts of snow and the once-gradual sloping trail shot up a ridge side. The adventurers found that they needed to stop for lunch to regain energy, yet the once-warm temperatures turned frigid and bit at their hands while they grappled at their packs and food. Scout tried burying himself in a small hole to seek refuge while his companions ate, but the blowing wind breeched Scout's fortress and chilled the dog to his bones. While the food may have provided energy, the cold robbed the travelers of relaxation and warmth; the only comfort and heat they would find on this ridge is that created themselves by trudging on up the steep ridge.Lunch took place at 2:00 pm and an altitude of 9,500' but the ridge-top that stood in their way
rose to an altitude of 10,500' and wore a fresh and untracked coat of deep snow. The mile-and-a-half trek from the lunch area to the yurt took as much time as the previous five miles, but cost the group much more in energy and mental strength. Fortunately, the group reached the yurt before the sun went down, and had time to make a fire in the pot-bellied stove before conditions deteriorated much worse. They prepared well and brought gourmet rolls and kabobs that lifted their spirits and appeased their appetites.The yurt contained beds and lanterns, so the company (except Scout-- who didn't trust the the sides of the yurt that flapped in the pounding wind) slept well through the night and recovered from their journey. 
The adventurers planned their breakfast with as much foresight as dinner; they enjoyed grilled brats, cinnamon rolls, left-overs from dinner and canned fruit. Their night stay and great meals, not to mention the downhill slope, enlivened the trekkers making the journey back delightful. They even enjoyed the view from the ridge that overlooked the East Fork of the Bear River valley.
The adventurers planned their breakfast with as much foresight as dinner; they enjoyed grilled brats, cinnamon rolls, left-overs from dinner and canned fruit. Their night stay and great meals, not to mention the downhill slope, enlivened the trekkers making the journey back delightful. They even enjoyed the view from the ridge that overlooked the East Fork of the Bear River valley.
