BEAUTIFUL DISCOVERY:
A Solo Hike in the Uinta Wilderness of Utah
Part 2 of 2

Map (elevationmeters)
Section of the Kings Peak 1:100 000 scale USGS map showing the route. Elevation is shown in meters - probably a throwback to the metric system days. The top of the map is where the hike started, close to what’s shown as a guard station.

Trail
Much of the trail meandered between meadow, marsh and forest. Later the forest got thicker and it looked as though high winds had swept through the valley. Fifty to 75 trees blocked the trail.

Trail
This was my first sighting of an unnamed peak (on my map) shown at an elevation of 3885 meters. It forms a North-South ridge leading toward Mt. Lovenia.

East Fork River
A section of the East Fork River. The river had to be crossed several times. Further down, beyond where the trail starts, it joins the West Fork where they both form the Blacks Fork River. It ends up draining into the Meeks Cabin Reservoir. Saw some fine looking trout.

19th Century Cabin
One of the two cabins along the trail. Don’t know what purpose they served besides maybe an overnight shelter.

Camp 1
Since I got a late start, the first overnight was only 5 or 6 miles up the trail.

Antenna
This photo shows the center insulator of a kite-winder dipole and how the BNC plug is protected from the strain of pulling coax. See the “Trail Friendly Dipole” article on this website.

Wilderness Shack
The rig used was a Small Wonder Labs SW-30 with a PK-3 keyer built in. It covers most of the bottom half of 30 meters. The enclosure is from Radio Shack. Paddles are from Paddlette with kneeboard. Seating is via Thermarest pad and chair kit. The chair pad doubles as a sleeping pad.

Trail
Another view of the unnamed 3885 meter peak.

Trail
Mt. Tokewanna

Approaching 10K
View of the ridge leading up toward Mt. Lovenia. Mt. Lovenia is out of the photo to the right.

Boundary Marker
Boundary marker near the junction of the East Fork and Little East Fork trails.

Cabin
Second cabin

Cabin Log
Looks as though the US government operated these cabins at one time.

Cabin Window
Cabin detail

Marsh Area
The marsh areas can be very muddy in the early season. Didn’t have any problems in August.

Red Knob
This mass of crumbling stone is what the pass was named after. The photo was taken from Red Knob Pass.

W7WIK - Just before ascending the pass
Taking a break before ascending the pass. The trekking poles sure make it easier to haul a heavy pack on steep terrain. It’s as close as we’ll get to having four legs.

Red Knob Pass
Here the trail disappears but there are cairns to lead the way. Cairns are occasional piles of stacked stones that mark the route.

Looking North from Red Knob Pass
Looking back toward the East Fork drainage from Red Knob Pass

South Slope from Red Knob Pass (actually part of the North Slope)
Looking down into the West Fork drainage from Red Knob Pass

Southeast from Red Knob Pass
Looking South from Red Knob Pass into the Lake Fork River drainage

Mt. Lovenia from Red Knob Pass
Mount Lovenia

Camp 2
The 20-degree sleeping bag was barely warm enough at that time of morning when it’s coldest. Next time I’ll bring a down bag.

Back at the truck
The trailhead is about 16 miles of dirt road from highway 150. Almost any vehicle can make the road as long as it stays dry. Four wheel drive is not required.

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Marco Wikstrom, W7WIK, is a QRPer and expert outdoorsman living in Medford, OR.