Utah Hunt 2014- Going Deep and Hunting Hard

September 17 thru 18th -Day's 6 & 7

Hiked into the Wasatch Range today from the Park City Utah side after getting a hint from a fellow hunter about a good area to check out. Started at the P (parking area on the map)  then out Robs Trail to Ambush Trail, Then to the hunters trail almost to the end.

South and East Facing slopes were a bugger bear as it was hot and dry today. Carrying full packs with supplies for an over nighter in the backcountry adds a lot of weight- mostly water- which you can never have enough of in these conditions.

Hiking in through the aspen groves was spectacular and a cooling respite.

View of the bowl Tom dropped into for the evening hunt as I stayed up high to glass and hunt the high ground as pictured.

Tom found the spot to hunt - a nice elk wallow- and a spot for us to camp for the night. Our spread was meager and basic but kept us warm and comfortable. Thanks to Andrew Howell for letting us borrow the lightweight down sleeping bags. Tom helped me cache the food in a sapling aspen for the overnight. Had Elk bugling on bothe sides of us but nothing responded to our calls. Nice to hear them bugling in this drainage.

Wallow From Toms Stand for the evening: 

Skys were incredible overnight and the stars put on quite a show. Broke camp at daybreak then headed back towards elk wallow to hunt. Crested hill and was confronted by a 2000 lb. bull moose at about 25 yards. Guess he thought we were a cow in the low light as he advance to about 15 yards before realizing his error and skedattling off.  No elk sighted but a wonderful day hunting in a pristine spot.  Tom took several panoramic views on the hike/ hunt out of the basin as we were running low on water and needed to rehydrate and reload - one can't live on granola, snickers, and peanut butter sandwiches for too long.