Father Son Outing

For Henry's birthday this year we gave him his own backpack filled with some backpacking gear, hiking pants, and survival books.  He also received the promise of a backpacking trip with Jeff.  The day after Henry's birthday they went to a place called Jones Creek near Vernal, Utah.  They really enjoyed spending time together alone and had a lot of fun!

 The boys getting ready to head out for their trip.

 Unplanned stop at Pelican Lake.

Jeff remembers fishing here once when he was around 14 years old.

Fortunately, the fishing was good....Henry's first small mouth bass on a fly rod and he also caught a couple blue gills.

Unfortunately, Henry and Jeff were the "all you can eat buffet" for the mosquitos.

 Vernal LDS Temple

 The first night was spent in a motel in Vernal.

 Trailhead at Jones Creek Fish Hatchery.

Henry was so excited to start his first backpacking trip.

Waterfall at Ely Creek.

Jeff had heard he could sit at the top of this waterfall to block it and create a swimming hole BUT the water was way too cold in early June.

Henry cooling his feet in the creek above the falls.

Remember I mentioned the mosquitos?

Check out Henry's legs!

 Place where Jones Creek dumps into the Green River.

The Green River was still raging from the spring runoff.

 Henry catching a shot of Dad trying to land "the big one"!

 Henry trying out his new multi-tool by dissecting a cactus.

 Can you find the Rocky Mountain Sheep?  Yeah...neither could I.

More beautiful scenery on the Jones Creek trail.

 Henry back at Ely Creek with a hat full of creek water.

 Henry after he dumped the water from the creek onto his head and still trying to talk Dad into creating a swimming hole in that freezing water.

 One of the many fish caught.  Somehow Jeff didn't get a picture of "the big one"!

 Henry pointing out petroglyphs on the rock wall.

 2.2 miles from the trailhead near where the boys camped.

 This is where the boys set up camp for one night.

This is one of only two camp sites on the entire Jones Creek Trail.

Also the site of a middle of the night, mysterious, unexplained creature growling outside the tent.

Must have been Sasquatch!!!

Fortunately, Henry was asleep and didn't hear a thing.  Jeff never could figure out what it was.

 Packed up and ready to go home!