Pictures from this weekends trip to Johnson's Hole

[wildmanh]

I'm back from my backpacking trip to Johnson's Hole and had a blast!! A group of us left Provo sometime after 1pm and got to the campsite we picked before 3pm. We did a lot of exploring along the trail and my camera was in my pack so no pictures of that from today. But you can see pictures of the trail we took in my previous thead Hiking Johnson's Hole

Durring our search for a good campsite with big enough trees for a friends hamock I scared some deer that were resting under an Elm tree. The ran along a game trail that goes up the west side of the valley. I kept an eye out for them all afternoon and neer the evening I had my camera out and was able to get pictures of them. You'll see them later in the thread.

I went camping/backpacking this weekend for a couple reasons: #1. To get out of town #2. Practice backpacking again because it's been about 8 years or more and #3 to practice some wilderness skills. The campsite we finally settled on is about a 2 mile hike from the parking lot so I figure we got some good backpacking practice in for a couple people out of shape. The skills we practiced were no match fires and shelter building. I got a few pictures of the skeleton of tyhe a-frame we made. Please let me know what you think of it! I'd really like some feed back. I'll post some pictures then talk about the gear I brought. Pictures are shown in the order I took them:

 

[wildmanh]

Here's my gear list:

Blackhawk SOF Ruck pack - Backpack
Thermarest Air matteress
Thermarest Ridge Rest foam pad
-20 sleeping bag (good quality, don't know the brand)
Optimus Crux Lite Stove
Optimus Weekend cook set
LMF PC Spork
Two Nylon backed space blankets
Military Poncho
First Aid Kit
Fire Kit
TP
Soap
Hand sanitizer
50' para cord
trashbags
Food
7 Quarts of water
SOG Salute Folder
Esee-4 fixed blade
Medium French hawk from Keith at Great River forge
14" Tramontina Bolo
SOG Powerlock
Cell phone
Camera with Spare batteries
iTP C7 with spare AA
Princton Tech Aurora headlamp with spare batteries
2-way radio
Hankerchef
Change of clothes
Jacket


3 people went up Friday afternoon, one came down and another came up that evening for dinner and to spend the night. We all slept out under the stars and it was a lovely night for it. But it sure was windy. I learned a few things on this trip about my gear and sellections that I'll change for next time including the following:

Leave the second pad at home. The water blatter does not work in the pocket I put it in, will try a different one. The pads were lashed to the top and bottom of the pack, I'll lash my sleeping bag to the bottom and 1 pad goes up top. This will free up room in the main compartment for more food and water. Leave some of the blades at home. Used to hike with a leatherman, a folder and one fixed blade and will do that again. The Esee-4 wasn't even used, hawk was used by a friend but we could have lived with only 1 chopper instead of two.

I have next weekend off work also so might go back if I can find some people that are willing to go. It was a ton of fun!! BTW I'll wait to comment on my shelter till I hear what you guys have to say about the skeleton. Thanks for looking,

Heber

 

[adaman04]

Looks like you guys had a good time. Great pics.

As for the shelter, the first things that jump out to me at that if it's only for one person, it's too big. It should probably be big enough for you to lay down in and that's about it. This will retain the most body heat and keep you warmer.

Once you have your main frame done, start filling in the gaps with smaller twigs and start piling material to waterproof it. Leaves, moss, etc.

Built my first debris shelter last year. It was a great learning experience.

 

[kgd]

That looked like a blast. To me you mixed the best parts of back country - not too far, with some buds and practiced a bunch of skills. Thats what I usually call a whole lotta fun!

 

[lambertiana]

Where exactly is this? Which Peak is this? Is it Y Mountain?

The picture of the other closer peak looks like Cascade Mountain, which would place the photo location in the area south of Provo Canyon and east of Squaw Peak.

I used to wander all around that area, but I always went up Rock Canyon to reach that area.

 

[carspidey]

what's the total weight on your pack???

 

[wildmanh]

Where exactly is this? Which Peak is this? Is it Y Mountain?

The picture of the other closer peak looks like Cascade Mountain, which would place the photo location in the area south of Provo Canyon and east of Squaw Peak.

I used to wander all around that area, but I always went up Rock Canyon to reach that area.

The Peak is on the north side of Provo canyon road. If you know where Canyon Glen park and Nunn's park are, (north side of the road) it's above them.

I've hiked up Rock canyon to the second bridge a few times. Thinking about backpacking in there and camping one of these days. It sure is lovely.

what's the total weight on your pack???

I honestly have no clue what my pack weighed. If I have time before work I'll gather the information and post back with an estimate.

Heber

 

[hollowdweller]

Killer pics Heber. I'm loving that territory out there!:thumbup:

 

[lambertiana]

There are bridges in Rock Canyon? Where?

I guess a lot has changed in the 25 years since I was there. We used to take my .22 up Rock Canyon all the time, and the Buckley Mine was still open (actually called Monarch Mine in the old paperwork, but popularly called Buckley). It was a fun mine to explore, and I was saddened to find out that both entrances had been closed.

 

[wildmanh]

Killer pics Heber. I'm loving that territory out there!:thumbup:

Thanks, it's pretty nice here. Your neck of the country ain't bad either. You should come over for a visit sometime. I bet you'd like it.

There are bridges in Rock Canyon? Where?

I guess a lot has changed in the 25 years since I was there. We used to take my .22 up Rock Canyon all the time, and the Buckley Mine was still open (actually called Monarch Mine in the old paperwork, but popularly called Buckley). It was a fun mine to explore, and I was saddened to find out that both entrances had been closed.

There are two bridges over the creak along the trail. Not sure how far up each one is. No discharging firearms in the canyon any more. The powers that be have really restricted what someone can do in the canyon. I'm kind of shocked that rock climbing is still allowed. It's still pretty and quiet up there.

 

[lambertiana]

Is there still the open mine shaft at the mouth of the canyon, fenced off? It is in the tan quartzite on the north side. If you look around you can find the second entrance. I found it by chance when I hopped the fence and dropped down the shaft with a rope. At the bottom of the shaft, there was a tunnel leading into the mountain, and in the other direction I could see light at the end of a short tunnel. It had been a wet winter, and the very thin layer of dirt that had filled in the lower entrance had collapsed and I could get back out that way instead of going back up the rope. It was hidden by bushes, so it is hard to find. Even if they covered it back up, if you can find it you would be able to get in without a lot of digging.

If you like exploring old mines, I used to spend some time out by Eureka in the Tintic district. There are a lot of mines there, including a glory hole 2200' deep. The Tintic district produced more silver than the Comstock.

 

[maximus0723]

Lotta wood there. I hope mother nature didn't suffer much (a.k.a. I hope you just used dead wood)

 

[texastonydobbs]

Great Pics & Using gear and knowing what works for you & sometimes against you ..
Looks like a great time

 

[wildmanh]

Is there still the open mine shaft at the mouth of the canyon, fenced off? It is in the tan quartzite on the north side. If you look around you can find the second entrance. I found it by chance when I hopped the fence and dropped down the shaft with a rope. At the bottom of the shaft, there was a tunnel leading into the mountain, and in the other direction I could see light at the end of a short tunnel. It had been a wet winter, and the very thin layer of dirt that had filled in the lower entrance had collapsed and I could get back out that way instead of going back up the rope. It was hidden by bushes, so it is hard to find. Even if they covered it back up, if you can find it you would be able to get in without a lot of digging.

If you like exploring old mines, I used to spend some time out by Eureka in the Tintic district. There are a lot of mines there, including a glory hole 2200' deep. The Tintic district produced more silver than the Comstock.

I've seen some small caves up there. Wondered if some of them could be the enterence to old mines. I'll try to check it out and post pictures when I get the chance.

BTW I'm looking at property around Eureka, It's a pretty nice area from what I've seen and heared. Got any pictures from your travels out there?

Lotta wood there. I hope mother nature didn't suffer much (a.k.a. I hope you just used dead wood)

Don't worry, she didn't. We only used dead wood. Everyone that went knew not to use living trees if there was dead wood around. And we would not have done it if there wasn't dead wood. Someone had come to the campsite before us and gathered tons of dead wood for a project but never finished it. So we used that wood for our shelter.

Great Pics & Using gear and knowing what works for you & sometimes against you ..
Looks like a great time

It sure was. I'm glad I went cause it was really fun and I learned a lot about my gear, what I need and don't.

Heber

 

[maximus0723]

hehe,

btw, what chopper do you carry?

 

[lambertiana]

I don't have any digital pictures of the Eureka area, I spent my time there before digital cameras were available.

Lots of holes in the ground there, plenty to explore.

 

[spoolup]

Heber, those photos look great. Really wished I could have made the outting. Just got confirmation from work, will be out of country Jun 12 thru the 27, then again in July for about 3 weeks, then 4 months to a really fun place just before Christmas... there goes this season, but I do have to blow some vacation due to being near maxed out @ 250 hours with floating holidays and comp time. So while here between traveling, I plan on getting out a bit. Ill let you know what I plan and maybe Ill see you around.

Again, looks like a great time.

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

Awesome pics Heber. That looks like a beautiful area.

 

[wildmanh]

hehe,

btw, what chopper do you carry?

Normally it's a Becker BK9 (camilus era), SOG SK-5 Tigershark, Kabar Heavy Bowie or a Khukri depending on my mood. But this time I carried just my 14" Bolo by Tramontina.

I don't have any digital pictures of the Eureka area, I spent my time there before digital cameras were available.

Lots of holes in the ground there, plenty to explore.

Ahh, I see. Sounds cool non the less.

Heber, those photos look great. Really wished I could have made the outting. Just got confirmation from work, will be out of country Jun 12 thru the 27, then again in July for about 3 weeks, then 4 months to a really fun place just before Christmas... there goes this season, but I do have to blow some vacation due to being near maxed out @ 250 hours with floating holidays and comp time. So while here between traveling, I plan on getting out a bit. Ill let you know what I plan and maybe Ill see you around.

Again, looks like a great time.

Thanks Spoolup. Check out my Utah camping thread and let me know when you might be able to do something.

Awesome pics Heber. That looks like a beautiful area.

Thanks Marcelo. It's a right pretty place. I have Friday off and if I can get all my chorse done in time I might head back for a hike and fire for smoores.

Heber

 

[akthor]

Anyone seen or heard from Heber? I haven't heard from him in a while I am concerned.