The trailhead to Lakeshore Basin begins at 11,000 feet with Leidy Peak (12,000 ft., 3700 m) rising above and to the southwest. Leidy Peak is located about 30 miles north of Vernal, Utah. (Note: The Uinta mountains are generally rounded on top because they are over 700 million years old and have experienced a lot of erosion.)
The path over the east shoulder of Leidy and into the basin is easily discernable most of the way, but here it's marked only by a large cairn.
The south fork of Ashley Creek runs through Lakeshore Basin,
and there are numerous small lakes. Marshy areas around the lakes and stream support good grass all summer. Many elk, deer, and moose live in the area.
We rode across the basin, and up the other side to an 11,800 ft. (3600 m) pass. It's a bit rocky. We put boots on the horses to protect their unshod hooves.
Here I am, walking up the unstable rock. Mischief went ahead, following Boss and Steve. (Why is Steve always so much ahead of me? I'm slow, but I do get there.)
Okay, now I'm back in the saddle where I belong. Behind me is a view toward Red Belly Lake and Twin Lakes.
There was a sign in the pass, once planted in some piled rocks, but now fallen from its perch.
The Highline Trail, which traverses the High Uiintas, east to west, follows the ridge shown above. (I wouldn't want to be up there in a lightning storm!) Someday maybe we'll take that path. It doesn't look overly traveled, does it?
What a beautiful and peaceful looking area. Do the horses mind you putting on the boots? Looks like it would hurt them if they did not wear them at all.
ReplyDeletebeautiful area. I'm curious about the boots too.
ReplyDeleteI can never get enough of the areas where you all travel. SO gorgeous--and as Suzanne said, so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteIs it cold up there when you are above 11,000 feet?? I notice that you both usually are dressed for a 'cold' ride....
Thanks so much for sharing.
Hugs,
Betsy
Suz and Kaye, we use Easy Boot Bares when the terrain is extremely rough. Boss needs them more often than Mischief, because Boss's hoofs aren't naturally as hard. The horses used to high step when we put the boots on, I guess because the boots felt funny. Now they don't mind them at all. They've always been good about having their feet handled because we handle them a lot.
ReplyDeleteBetsy,the highs are in the 50's at that altitude, so it's quite cold in the mornings or if the wind is blowing in the afternoons.
These trail rides are so much fun! In my next life I'm going to get a horse and live in the Utah mountains.
ReplyDeleteThe Utah High Line looks much different that the NYC High Line. Been watch a couple of New Yorker's blogs extoling their new city park. Both High Lines are wonderful. How often do you go out on your trail rides?
ReplyDeleteYou get to some of the most beautifully remote places. And those serene and well hidden lakes must be a delight for the horses too. Where's Daisy?
ReplyDeleteWhat trail.
Hi Janie
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to have you two travel to these wonderful places and share them with us...thank you so much...
you are such adventurers...
Happy days
It looks such a gorgeous place for a trail ride! I love that you leave your horses unshod and just use boots when necessary.
ReplyDeleteWe're hoping to get a couple of rides in when we come over to the US later this year. So much nicer than English riding, that we've found a local stable that teaches Western!
Wow, that looks spectacular. Climbing up that hill you were hiking up at that elevation would be very difficult, but worth it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful area. What kind of boots do you use? I am thinking of trying them with my horse, but the fit and getting them on seems really difficult. Is Mischief an Arabian?
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us along on another wonderful ride/hike. I don't think you should call yourself 'slow'. I doubt that I could make it at all.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I saw that you already answered the question about the boots!
ReplyDeleteI think you have the "biggest backyard" I've ever seen. You must feel like you have it all to yourselves. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNo, the Uintas are part of the Rocky mountains, the Wasatch Mountains are much younger and not a part of the Rocky Mountains.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the correction, Sherpa.
ReplyDelete