Challenge Accepted
Alexander Loop // Wind, Snow, AND a cheap tarp
Nights out: 1 Miles driven: 157 Soundtrack: Death Cab for Cutie, I built you a tower
One night in the Uintas with a bad forecast, a cheap tarp, soggy boots, and a setup that actually worked.
Day 1
The weather outlook was unfavorable. The forecast called for a wintry mix, high winds, and thunderstorms. Not exactly ideal camping weather, but for this trip, it was exactly what I wanted. That was the whole reason for going. I wanted to test my setup and my own ability to be comfortable when the mountains decided to flex. Had the forecast looked sunny and calm, I probably would have stayed home. I was looking for a fight.
The drive up was uneventful, and I spent the morning looking for the right camp spot. I explored dirt roads and random tracks through the trees until I found an easy-to-reach site where Neighbor Josh could join us in his 2WD van. I set up camp, rigged the tarp, and prepared for battle with the weather.
Except the battle never showed up.
Caleb and Evan showed up shortly after to join for the afternoon. We drove some narrow roads to the lake and dared each other to get in. Only the dogs did.
Apart from some breezy conditions and the occasional gust, the weather stayed pretty calm. The sun kept poking through waves of ominous clouds. The temperatures were chilly, but a hoodie was enough. I spent the day exploring, throwing rocks at stuff, eating PB&J sandwiches, and trying to remotely remove the cap from a Gatorade bottle with a BB gun. Josh showed up with his daughter and joined in the jackassery.
Then the wind died down, the sun came out, and I was treated to one of the calmest, most pleasant evenings I’ve had in the mountains. The challenge I was hoping for never arrived. Instead, I took a risk and got a perfect night in the woods as a reward.
I sat there taking it in with a tailgate breakfast burrito stuffed to the rafters with scrambled eggs, bacon, and McDonald’s hashbrowns.
Couldn’t ask for more.
I climbed into my tent, and shortly after falling asleep, the rain started. And then it never stopped. At 5 in the morning, it turned to snow.
The challenge finally showed up.
Day 2
I unzipped the tent and looked out as snow fell through the pines. It was dead calm, dead quiet, and beautiful.
Then I looked down and saw my boots sitting next to the ladder, full of water and snow piling on the toes.
Rookie move.
My $30 tarp held through the storm and quickly became one of the best comfort investments I’ve made for my camping kit. It gave me a dry place to make coffee, warm up by the fire, and clean up camp. Who would have thought a small sheet of plasticky fabric and a few knots would be the missing piece that turned a summer mountain snowstorm into a non-issue?
I threw my soggy boots into a trash bag, packed up the rest of camp, and headed home for breakfast.
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Alexander Loop is in Utah’s Uinta Mountains near the Mirror Lake Highway area. It’s a quiet forested zone with dirt roads, dispersed camping options, and easy access to nearby lakes and high-country exploring.
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Yes, dispersed camping is available in the surrounding forest areas where allowed. Sites are generally first-come, first-served, and conditions can change quickly, especially during storms or early-season weather.
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For a one-night mountain trip, a tarp, dry footwear, extra layers, a warm sleeping setup, reliable fire-starting supplies, and a way to keep gear off the ground can make a huge difference. Even a cheap tarp can turn rain or snow into a manageable inconvenience instead of a full camp mutiny.
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Yes, it can. The Uintas are high enough that summer weather can still bring cold rain, hail, wind, and even snow. A sunny forecast can turn sideways fast, and an ugly forecast can occasionally hand you a perfect evening before the storm shows up.
Keep Wandering
More snow camping: Hell’s Revenge
More solo trips: Marlboro Point
More tarps to the rescue: Soapstone Camping
