Round Lake Hike

This past weekend, Jeff and I went on our latest adventure. We found a trail head to some lakes on our way up to a security job and decided to give it a shot. This trail head led up to three different lakes, Round, Sand, and Fish Lake. By our calculations, it would be about 3 miles to the first, 5 total. It turned out to be a little more aggressive than we thought, though, for only being 3 miles. It was a 2,000 foot raise in elevation and just about straight uphill and rocky the whole way! But the forest was amazing! And as for the projected 50% + chances of rain... didn't happen. So it was a beautiful weekend to go. We also used this as a chance to sharpen up our wilderness survival skills, taking no matches, limited food, and using only basic supplies in our packs. Overall, it was super ill. At right, this would be my best hardcore "Doc Ivory" pose. Oh yeah. Gnarly.

Afternoon 1! Afternoon 1! Fun for everyone on afternoon 1!
Typical Jeff and Jake pose pre-hike in the aspen grove. As the
old saying goes, “If you look good, you ARE good!” Word.

Morning 2! How 'bout you? Jeff eating food! Morning 2!

This would be the shelter we threw together the first night.

Everything there when we stopped was wet, but we still

managed to start a fire without matches using our flints. It

actually turned out to be a pretty good spot. Dinner: Mac &

Cheese for Jeff, Beef Stew for me. Thank goodness for

JetBoils and Mountain Home meals! Oatmeal for breakfast.

Morning 2! Morning 2! Didn't see a moose on Morning 2!

Another view of our camp at breakfast time just before

heading back on on the trail. And they said it would rain...

Jake Olsen, spokesman for JetBoil.

Jeff Treft*, wilderness man. This outfit can be
yours as well for the mere price of just $11 at
your local DI store, or online at www.di.com.
*Not to be confused with Bear Grylls

Quick group shot on the way up.

Yep, whole trail looked like this: uphill, muddy, and rocky!

Jeff is smiling because this is the only flat part of the hike.

Group log shot over rocky stream.

And this is Round Lake! It was such a
beautiful place to camp and we had the
whole thing to ourselves. We decided to
skip the last climb to the other two lakes
so we could spend the whole day here.
Well worth it for sure! What a view…

Let the shelter construction begin!

Jeff bringing in another log for the shelter.

Starting to take shape...

Success! Living like kings!

A mighty fine campsite if I do say
so myself! And another no-match
fire. This is what it’s all about!

Jeff, at home in the wilderness.

This would be my canoe I whittled for Jeremy.

Morning 3! Look at me! Morning 3!
Look out for the tree! Morning 3! I’d
much rather be… Forever in blue jeans!
Morning 3! Coming back down the
mountain. tB with love. Represent. 4eva.

JetBoil

So while I was on my hike/camping trip to Havasupi, Jeff introduced me to the JetBoil camping stove. All I can say is "WOW!" Having grown up on Boy Scout trips and having to wait half an hour to boil water, this stove blew me AWAY! The package claims to boil two cups of water in under 2 minutes and it DOES. Absolutely amazing. And the best part is that it's super light-weight, fits entirely inside itself (gas and all), and is so easy to use. It's so incredible to be able to boil water so quickly, immediately pull it off the heat and be able to hold the cup in your hand without getting burned! Even as I'm writing this I still can't believe it. It's so perfect for backpacking, camping, and to put inside a 72 hour emergency kit. And the fuel is super cheap! Only $4 each and they last a whopping 45 minutes running at the highest level. Pair this baby with a Mountain Home meal, and you got yourself a feast away from home without breaking a sweat. Definately check it out! I promise you'll be amazing!!

Havasupi

The first weekend in June I was able to take a trip to Arizona to the Havasupi Indian reservation. What an amazing place! There's a ten mile hike into the village through the Grand Canyon that's absolutely amazing with all of the red rock and high cliffs. Once we got into the village (about 2 1/2 hours of hiking), it was a real shock because it took me back to my first area I served at while in Brazil on my mission. It looked so similar and even smelled the same! Kinda trippy, but definitely cool.

From the village, it's another 2 miles or so to the campground. Just before dropping into the campground, you see this! (See the pic upper left) AWESOME! The water is so blue! There are lime deposits in the water that give it such a cool color and it continues the entire way down the canyon like that. Being the beginning of June, it wasn't nearly as hot as I thought it would be. That made for cooler swimming, but was excellent for hiking. The campground was a little crowded, but we found a good secluded spot in the shade. And the natural spring was perfect for quenching thirst and refilling water packs. We saw about 4 different sets of falls in all. My favorite had to be Mooney Falls (on right). It was such a trip to see so much water and greenery in a dessert setting like that. Absolutely breathtaking for sure. And the descent down to the base of Mooney Falls is gnarly! Definitely worth the hike in! And special props to Jeff for taking such amazing pictures. Thanks, bro!

Every time I'm able to get out in the outdoors and see a new place is such a great experience. Just blows my mind to see all of the beautiful creations made at God's hand for us to enjoy. Getting out this trip was also bittersweet. I missed Amber and Jeremy so much! It was the longest I've ever been away from them at one time. I remember sitting on that rock and thinking that even though I was in such an amazing location, I really missed them. Kinda puts it all into perspective. I'm so blessed to have Amber and Jeremy in my life. I don't know what I'd do without them! Only thing left to say from the trip is that the hike out isn't too bad... until you reach the last climb up to the canyon rim! Jeff and I definitely felt like Frodo and Sam climbing Mount Doom. It was intense. So be sure to save a last boost of energy and a chocolate chip Clif bar for the final ascent! And sing some Neil Diamond and Bonny Tyler. It helps, trust me.