R03/R04 TR: 9-day loop through Bear Lakes Basin and more - Aug. 17-25, 2024

[Harlen]

Well, just now I finally returned to read this in it's entirety. It was well worth the wait. You seem to have made easy work of some challenging passes Matt. Beautiful photography, and super cool route! I stopped reading it before when we discovered all the colorful fish and fish stories. I believe most of them, even that business about the drag screaming sounds of line flying off your reel, which I honestly have still never experienced-- Damn!

If I ever meet you up there, I will lurk, and follow you for days.

[windknot]

Very late to reading this past summers trip reports, so I haven't been commenting, until this one. I have to ask, is that a first generation Six Moon Designs pack? I bought one on close-out in late 2015 (I believe), and I think I've only seen one other. It seems that people didn't like that color and wanted deeper side pockets. The color has never bothered me and the pockets seem deep enough for me.

Great trip report!

Yes indeed, this is the first generation SMD Fusion 65. I bought it the same year you did, for the same reason ($99!) and although at first I used it in spite of the color it has since grown on me (likely because, as you note, you don't see these in the wild very often). I believe we've chatted about this pack a handful of years ago, so mine might be the other one you've seen!

[windknot]

Well, just now I finally returned to read this in it's entirety. It was well worth the wait. You seem to have made easy work of some challenging passes Matt. Beautiful photography, and super cool route! I stopped reading it before when we discovered all the colorful fish and fish stories. I believe most of them, even that business about the drag screaming sounds of line flying off your reel, which I honestly have still never experienced-- Damn!

If I ever meet you up there, I will lurk, and follow you for days.

Thanks Ian! I have only been lucky enough to experience trout large enough to pull line off my reel against my drag a handful of times, and each of those times is etched indelibly into my memory. Especially the ones that got away!

[lisaryner]

Awesome trip and excellent reporting!!! Loved all the photo's too. I plan to visit that area this coming August after having spent 5 days in Humphries Basin last summer. Your report is very inspiring!

[scottmiller]

You managed to do in one trip what I usually do in three!

[Harlen]

I've been lured into this fantastic trip of yours again Matt, and it is even better the second time through... though I still envy and doubt your giant (photoshopped?) fish. How do we know that isn't a 6" net?!

What a great trip you had-- great route, weather, and fish! Thanks for taking us along on such a nice journey, Cheers, Ian.

[stevet]

Great report and inspiration. I've been noodling about a loop that takes in Bear Lakes, Royce Lakes, Granite Park, et.al. I've got some additional options to consider.

[Wandering Daisy]

Well, here is a version I did in 2008. stevet, this may give you more ideas.

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