Chemists in the Wind Rivers 1999

On August 14, 1999, a group of Utah Chemists once again ventured to Wyoming's Wind River Mountains for several days of fun and relaxation.

This year's group included (l to r) Mary Ann White, Chuck Wight, Cindy Burrows, Scott Anderson, Cindy Squire, Tom Richmond, Charly Gericke, Todd Anderson-Burrows, Sheila David, Sylvie Gericke, Erin Armentrout, Pete Beal, Matt Armentrout, Peg Simons, Zach A-B, Laurel A-B, Jack Simons, and Peter Armentrout.

After Tom Richmond and Cindy Squire left us, we took another group photo from our campsite (above).

After staying overnight at the SunDance Motel in Pinedale, Wyoming, the hiking chemists drove to the Scab Creek Trailhead on Sunday morning and began the hike to base camp at approximately 8:30 am.

The first part of the hike was through forest and gain considerable elevation. Fortunately, the horses were carrying most of our gear.

Nevertheless, some of us were tiring as we proceeded toward our lunch break at Little Divide Lake.

After a nice lunch break, we continued 3 more miles to a beautiful spot (above) from which we could first gain a good view of the very large basin within which our camp was to be found.

Smelling the end of the hike, the kids gained new energy and scampered across the basin's southern trail toward our camp spot near South Fork Lake.

Soon, we arrived at a beautiful knoll above and to the south of SF Lake where we found Kelly Pearson (above with her son), one of our outfitters, waiting for us with the horses and our gear.

After setting up our tents, we rested and looked over the beauty of this Bonneville Basin which contains many large lakes and which lies just west of the continental divide (the peaks seen above are on the divide).

Some of the younger folk decide to take a nap and ponder a great day of fishin' tomorrow.

As dinner time approached, we got out the cook stoves and began to prepare things. Above, we see Chuck, Pete Beal, and Jack trying to figure out why Jack's MSR stove won't work, while several others look on in amusement.

After our first Bonneville Basin meal, which included wine and cookies, we sat around the campfire chatting about what we accomplished today and what we'd do tomorrow.

As evening approaches and we prepare to crawl into our tents, we take one last look at our beautiful surroundings.

The next morning, we are up (not at the crack of dawn) and ready to go. Some of us set out for a hike to a pass overlooking Middle Fork Lake and the continental divide.

Others discuss strategy for landing "the big ones" and for finding the elusive golden trout.

Those who went on the hike toward Middle Fork Lake experienced great alpine scenery as shown on the following five pictures.

Mary Ann and Cindy S. above Rainbow Lake on the way to the pass.

Tom near the pass

A nice flower meadow just prior to the pass.

Charly hiking out on the snowfield just over the pass looking down on Middle Fork Lake.

Charly, Sylvie, Jack, and Peg on the pass.

While some folk hiked, others fished as the following 4 photos evidence.

Todd landing one (n.b., is this the only photo of a fish that we have?).

Zach preparing to go after the elusive golden trout at Lower Bonneville Lake.

Laurel showing great casting form at Raid Lake.

The man claimed to hate fishing caught in the act.

After returning to camp on the second day, there was much discussion about the big ones that got away, the size of that glacier, the bull elk, and so on.

Pete Beal and Chuck comparing notes on the ones that got away and the ones they "released".

Jack asking Chuck and Pete to repeat their fish tales so he can chuckle again.

The photo Pete and Chuck insisted be included as "evidence" of their prowess.

Again, as we rest our sore muscles and have a drink and snack before dinner, we sit around the campfire discussing the events of yet another wonderful day in the Wyoming wilderness.

And again before hitting the sack, we take one more look at our surroundings just as the sun's angle makes the trees turn alpenglow yellow.

The next day, some of us went fishing, some went on a hike that Peg organized, and some went to Bonneville Lakes and a pass looking down to the south into another drainage with Jack.

A pretty meadow on our way to Lower Bonneville Lake. Mt. Bonneville is in the background on the right side of the photo.

From Lower Bonneville Lake, we climbed up some granite slabs toward the pass.

Near the pass, we look down on Upper Bonneville Lake.

On the final day when we rose, broke camp, and hiked out, the photographers rested. The hike out, even though down hill, was more taxing than the hike in because we had to carry all our gear out; on the way in, the horses carried it for us. Nevertheless, we all made it out in fine shape. So ends this account of yet another wonderful experience among the Utah Chemistry faculty. These occasions mean a lot to us and illustrate why being at the Univ. of Utah is a good thing.