Dave Cawley

If the rocks are the bones, these waterways are the veins. Each cirque, creek, and canyon forms a system called a drainage. That's an area where all the precipitation, all the water drains to a single source.

If the rocks are the bones, these waterways are the veins. Each cirque, creek, and canyon forms a system called a drainage. That's an area where all the precipitation, all the water drains to a single source.

I'm going to take this metaphor one step further by adding trails. Trails are the nerves of the Uintas. They form a network that links many different points. The Uinta Highline Trail is the central nerve, the spinal column. It parallels the backbone of the Uinta crest, from one end of the range to the other.

I'm going to take this metaphor one step further by adding trails. Trails are the nerves of the Uintas. They form a network that links many different points. The Uinta Highline Trail is the central nerve, the spinal column. It parallels the backbone of the Uinta crest, from one end of the range to the other.

Many other trails branch off of it, descending out of alpine tundra through the forested canyons.

Many other trails branch off of it, descending out of alpine tundra through the forested canyons.

An injured person traveling alone would likely find it difficult to go 10 meters, let alone 10 miles. Keep in mind, Art's perspective is a product of his extensive experience in the Uintas. He doesn't see the range the same way someone like Eric might.

An injured person traveling alone would likely find it difficult to go 10 meters, let alone 10 miles. Keep in mind, Art's perspective is a product of his extensive experience in the Uintas. He doesn't see the range the same way someone like Eric might.

Maybe so, but that doesn't mean the Uintas are without risk. I told Art I knew of several cases involving people who disappeared in the Uintas. I had come to think of the range as the Uinta Triangle, a place where most visitors come and go without trouble, but where an unlucky few vanish without explanation.

Maybe so, but that doesn't mean the Uintas are without risk. I told Art I knew of several cases involving people who disappeared in the Uintas. I had come to think of the range as the Uinta Triangle, a place where most visitors come and go without trouble, but where an unlucky few vanish without explanation.

By backcountry, Art means primitive land, places that require hiking or horsepacking to get to, where the only amenities are the ones you carry with you. Frontcountry, by comparison, is where you can camp right out of your car, with conveniences like fire pits, picnic tables, outhouses, and paved walking paths.

By backcountry, Art means primitive land, places that require hiking or horsepacking to get to, where the only amenities are the ones you carry with you. Frontcountry, by comparison, is where you can camp right out of your car, with conveniences like fire pits, picnic tables, outhouses, and paved walking paths.

Most of the Hyuintas qualifies as backcountry, so Art's asking, do people really disappear in those far-flung places, never to return? From my research, I can say it happens. Not often, but more than you might think. Early in my career as a news reporter, I covered the story of a boy named Garrett Bardsley. Twelve-year-old Garrett went on a camping trip with his dad Kevin in August of 2004.

Most of the Hyuintas qualifies as backcountry, so Art's asking, do people really disappear in those far-flung places, never to return? From my research, I can say it happens. Not often, but more than you might think. Early in my career as a news reporter, I covered the story of a boy named Garrett Bardsley. Twelve-year-old Garrett went on a camping trip with his dad Kevin in August of 2004.

They visited the Coubrant Basin, a hanging valley a few miles off the Mirror Lake Highway. Here's how former Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmonds described the area at the time.

They visited the Coubrant Basin, a hanging valley a few miles off the Mirror Lake Highway. Here's how former Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmonds described the area at the time.

Garrett's dad, Kevin, left camp to go fishing one morning. Garrett tagged along, but he slipped at the lakeshore and soaked his feet. Kevin told Garrett to go change into dry socks. Camp wasn't far, just through the trees. Garrett walked into those trees, but didn't emerge on the other side.

Garrett's dad, Kevin, left camp to go fishing one morning. Garrett tagged along, but he slipped at the lakeshore and soaked his feet. Kevin told Garrett to go change into dry socks. Camp wasn't far, just through the trees. Garrett walked into those trees, but didn't emerge on the other side.

People poured into the Couberint Basin to look for Garrett over the next few days. The weather took a turn, though. Cold, soaking rain fell. It's possible to experience winter-like conditions any time of year in the high Uintas because of the elevation.

People poured into the Couberint Basin to look for Garrett over the next few days. The weather took a turn, though. Cold, soaking rain fell. It's possible to experience winter-like conditions any time of year in the high Uintas because of the elevation.