Utah Truck Camper Exploration: Flaming Gorge, Ashley Forest & Jazz-Chrome Trail

Flaming Gorge & Fishing Adventures

• 🎣 The journey began with a visit to Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Utah, where the travelers met their friend Erik and his dog Tilly.
• 🚤 Erik took them fishing by boat, resulting in successful catches and a really great time exploring the beautiful, vast area.
• 🐐 They observed wild goats on an island, adding to the scenic experience of the gorge.

High-Altitude Camping in Ashley National Forest

• 🏕️ To escape the heat, they ascended into the Ashley National Forest to Oaks Park Reservoir, camping at nearly 9,300 feet elevation.
• 🌲 They found free dispersed camping spots right on the lake, enjoying a peaceful and solitary experience for several days.
• 🦌 A memorable moment included a close encounter with a day-old fawn that approached their campsite, appearing innocent and not in distress.
• 🎣 One of the travelers fished for rainbow trout from a canoe, while the other relaxed and read books.

Jazz-Chrome Trail Hike at Red Fleet State Park

• 🚶‍♀️ From Steinaker State Park, they embarked on a 6-mile hike on the Jazz-Chrome Trail at Red Fleet State Park, known for its dinosaur history.
• ⛰️ The trail offered red rock scenery and was noted as excellent for mountain biking, though they encountered no other people during their morning hike.
• ☀️ The hike was completed under cloudy skies, which helped keep temperatures down and prevented overheating, with no biting bugs encountered.

Post-Hike Snack & Future Plans

• 🐟 After the hike, they enjoyed a special snack of smoked brook trout (a gift from Erik), paired with cheese, crackers, and a pickle.
• 💡 They learned that brook trout are part of the char salmon family, and the smoked fish was described as delicious post-hike fuel.
• 🗺️ Their immediate plan was to head to Colorado to escape the returning heat and avoid crowds, especially with the upcoming 4th of July weekend.
• 🏡 They aim to find small town campgrounds away from urban areas for a more authentic and less crowded experience.