Bonneville Cuthroat

Backpacked 19 miles into the Gros Ventre Wilderness to catch Bonneville Cutthroat Trout. This was physically and mentally challenging even compared to the 30 mile Catalina paddle or Boulder marathon I have done in the past. The topography was up and down the entire time ranging from 6,700 to 10,500 feet and I packed way too heavy (4 person tent, multiple burgers, etc) I also ran out of water. The person I had talked to about the trailhead said it took them about 4 hours to reach the lake… it ended up taking me about 7 hours to just get near the lake where I set up camp because it was getting dark and I was exhausted. I packed a flask of screwball whiskey and my airpods to drown out the wind, sticks snapping, rocks falling, and odd noises that could have been anything… right. I had bear spray, a 6mm M&P shield, and Garmin InReach for some added comfort. I didn't get a ton of sleep and was pretty stoked when the sun came up. I finished the rest of my water, made some oatmeal, and b-lined it for the lake, using onX Hunt to measure distance and watch the topo map (luckily I brought a portable charger for my phone). Getting to the lake made the trip. There was fresh drinkable water running straight from the snowmelt and crystalline blue water. I boiled some grounds, made a cup of cowboy coffee and got to fishing. I threw every fly I had, stimmy chew toys, UV jigs, Rubber leg wooly buggers, mosquito flys, etc. I finally defaulted to my bass pro rod with my favorite Katy Perry color kastmaster and nailed about 20 fish. Radical fiery colors with big spots. Satisfied I filled up all my water and hit the trail. I studied the topo map and figured the slope to get out of the lake area would be the hardest, followed by a gradual incline on the plain above, then a radical downhill section sloping from the peak to the valley to finish it off. I felt like I was In lord of the rings most of the time that second half, eventually hiking through a snowpack in the high mountains and down a brutal slope on the backside. At the base I was greeted by a group on horseback- they gave me hot dogs and cocktails- I learned this is kind of luck is called trail magic @darkseas