8 miles

For the last year my dad has been trying to get us to hike to Dry Lake. This was a childhood summer hike he would make and he wanted to share it with us. Finally, the weekend before Kelly and Andrew had to leave we made the plan.

So, Saturday at 9:30 we started our 1000 ft ascent. We had no idea what we were up against and according to my dad this was a 4 mile hike along the ridge line. Mind you, we were just a mile or so outside of Eureka in Juab county so this was pretty rugged, no one in sight kinda of country. We went straight up the first mountain (my calves were bulging and burning at this point) but once we got to the top we were all looking forward to the ridge line. The first picture below shows our half way mark. If you look at the last ridge in the picture, the one with the snow....yeah, that one, that is where dry lake is. Here, at the half way point is when we started to ask how long this hike really was. 10 hours later, and with no water left we made it back and all in one piece.

The day was perfect. Hiking along the ridge line kept us cool. The wind would come up through the canyon, without it I know we would have all succumbed to heatstroke. Not really, but it was a life saver.

Andrew was the Biologist on the hike. He stopped to take some meat out of the middle of some cactus and got a few needles wedged in his thumb. It was quite the "sticky" situation.

The snow was also a blessing. It's not very often you can stop and cool down in snow in 80 degree weather, on a rugged trail, after already hiking 3 miles, and pulling cactus needles from you hand. What a blast!

Mingling with the local folk.
Our destination...Dry Lake. We were pleasantly surprised at how beautiful it was. The picture doesn't do it justice. Before we reached the summit and saw the lake, we were discussing what we were expecting when we got there. True, there were no cascading waterfalls, or beautiful blue lagoons to wade in but it came close though, don't you think?

My dad is a mountain goat in disguise. He would have never stopped if weren't for us and all our lung problems. I mean come on who else needs to stop for air when you know you've got 8 miles ahead of you, it's a piece of cake. My mom was also quite amazing!

Proof that maxi pads really are the most bionic bandage out there. Dad fell on a rock pretty hard on the way back. He has a blood condition that lets him bleed forever. Anyway, having a maxi pad around saved the day. We teased him; "So dad, now you can tell everyone at work that you have worn a maxi pad". (giggle, giggle)



When we got back to the truck it was 8:30 pm. We were all so proud of ourselves. We came home, had a nice hot shower and then had the best sleep ever. Thanks dad for allowing us to test our limits, for allowing us to take in the great beauty of the outdoors, and for making another great memory together!