On top of Utah!

This week was a great one! Dad, Joseph, Jake and I backpacked to the top of Utah. We hiked Utah's highest mountain, Kings Peak. It was definitely an adventure filled with many memories. 

 At the trail-head ready to backpack 

 This was the first adventure of our journey...the rain. It rained a few times so we pulled out the ponchos in an attempt to stay dry. When we finally set up camp, we were all soaked. 

 This is at Elkhorn's crossing. This was about mile 6.5, we hiked 4 more miles to our camp. It was rainy and by the time we set up camp I was wet and grumpy. 

 Although there was a lot of rain, it was super pretty!

 The next day, we set out to the top of Kings Peak. It is a long hike and very tiring. We hiked about ten miles this day and had to climb up boulders to get to the top. 

 We made it to the top! It was such a great feeling to be on the top of Utah and to accomplish a pretty difficult task. The view was gorgeous and the weather was perfect. We stopped for a little bit, hydrated, ate some snacks and headed back down when we saw storm clouds. The way down was HARD! We just basically climbed down on the rocks since there really isn't a trail. When we got to the bottom, our feet and ankles hurt. No matter how hard it was, we still had a great time!

 When we were hiking back to our camp we were coming down Gunsight pass and we had to go through a lightning storm. It was so scary! Here we were coming down a mountain and the lightning was right above our heads. Then the thunder would crash and it was so loud. It even started hailing. That was definitely an adventure, but we made it back safely! 

 When we need water we have to use a filter and get fresh water from the stream. This is my favorite kind of water! It tastes wonderful and is so cold :)

 Because of the rain, most of our pants, socks and shoes got wet. We came up with a system that helped dry them! 

 There were many beautiful wild flowers along the way

Overall we hiked about 34 miles in three days. It was so much fun and I am so glad that we made it to the top and were safe. I am so sore and have about 5 blisters on my feet, but it was so worth it. After we made it to the car we went and ate at Pizza Hut. This last pic is of me and dad with Kings Peak in the background. We were on the trail back to the car. I had such a great time and I am so glad that I made it up! Definitely a highlight in my short lifetime :)

love,

Rach