Our three-day journey began on a cool but clear day. We left the parking area with loaded packs and a newly designed and constructed sled. The sled was a new contrivance that allowed us to take some comforts from home that wouldn’t usually be found on a backcountry trip. With snow on the ground, why pack on your back what you can drag? Despite the lack of snowfall this year, the road had adequate coverage as we began our 3.5 mile trek to the Yurt on snowshoes, touring skis and a couple of die hard tele skiers on their backcountry boards. Unlike the steep rises and falls of the Wasatch Front, the terrain here was a gradual upward rise.

After a few miles of taking turns with the sled we found that according to our GPS unit, the Yurt that we had marked with a waypoint was only a couple hundred yards away. The faint smell of wood burning greeted us, indicating that our compatriots who had left earlier that morning had already arrived and fired up the stove. We spent the evenings amidst the rustic comforts our Yurt provided: a propane powered stove and lantern, tables & chairs and bunk beds all while enjoying well-cooked dinners and fine company. The occasional chorus of howling coyotes echoed across the valley below in various intervals during the night.

The next day we strapped skis and snowshoes back on for a day trip up to the frozen lakes situated in higher terrain. As we ascended further into the backcountry, the snow levels grew deeper. We took turns leading the way, the frontrunner exerting more effort to break trail. No snow had fallen for days, possibly weeks, yet there were no other ski tracks to follow. The feeling of remoteness is exaggerated in the Uinta Mountains; though only an hour and a half away from Salt Lake City, this wide-open country feels completely devoid of humankind. But the evidence of footmarks imprinted around the lodge pole and ponderosa pines indicated that we were hardly alone. For any interested observer of animal tracks, the Uintas are a dream. We found evidence of deer, elk, coyote, moose, rabbit, and even bobcat.

The next day we packed up, thoroughly extinguished the stove fire, and locked up the Yurt. We skied out leaving little trace of our presence save for our ephemeral tracks in the snow. Compared to the uphill climb on the way in, the descent went by rapidly, leading us to the highway away from a wintry paradise and back to civilization

What to bring:
Either snowshoes, backcountry or metal-edged Nordic skis and FRS radios. Proper layering of clothing is highly recommended given the combination of cold temperatures and aerobic activity. Begin with a good wicking base layer, followed by warmer fleece vests or jackets, and topped by a waterproof shell. All of which can be found at REI located at 3300S and 3285E in Salt Lake City, (801) 486-2100.

Who to Contact:
There are three Yurts located in this general area of the Uintas, with differing distances of roughly 1.5 miles, 3.5 miles or 6 miles one way to reach them. One member of your group must have attended a certification class for the Yurt you will be using. To schedule use, find out about certification or get price and size information call the Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center in Park City at 435-649-5322.

How to get there:
Take I-80 East to Highway 40. Take Highway 40 to 248 which will take you into the city of Kamas. Once in Kamas, take Highway 150, the Mirror Lake Highway, which leads into the Uintas. The parking area for the Norway Flats area is approximately 10.2 miles from Kamas.

­ Eric Spreng is an ardent skier & camper and the Community Outreach and Events Specialist for REI in Salt Lake City.

Copyright 2003 Sports Guide. All rights reserved.