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Klymit Ladies Backpacking Trip
Three of our fantastic team members organized a Klymit Ladies Backpacking trip in September and visited a gorgeous site within an hour of Klymit. Ashlyn, Deb, and Caroline backpacked to Lake Catherine via the Brighton Lake Trail. According to Alltrails.com the hike is a “4.4-mile out-and-back trail near Salt Lake City, Utah. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 34 min to complete. This is a very popular area for fishing, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are May through October.”
We asked Ashlyn, Deb, and Caroline to each write a little bit about their experience and time on the trail.
Ashlyn: I’ve always wanted to dip my toe into backpacking and this overnight trip was the first of hopefully many more. The scenery was spectacular! Lake Mary doesn’t allow swimming or wading, so the water remains clean and striking blue. Not only were the birds and squirrels lively, but there were ample moose tracks around the lake. We found a campsite just as the sun was sinking into the mountain. The Maxfield 1-Person Tent was quick to set up and held sturdy against the nightly wind gusts. As a side sleeper, getting a good night’s rest while camping has been a struggle in the past. I brought along my new Static V sleeping pad to try out and found it to be genuinely comfortable and easy to inflate.
I look forward to future backpacking trips and the chance to explore and discover other stunning locations!
Deb: As an experienced backpacker it never ceases to amaze me the bounty of outdoor spaces to explore in Utah! A trail leading to beautiful views can be right in your neighborhood, or a short drive away.
This trip was my first time exploring the Brighton area and has been on my list for a while. The trail was steep, but short, rewarding us with expansive views from the top of the ski slope. The area was busy with day hikers but quieted down as the sun began to set. The leaves were just starting to turn with the yellow leaves of the aspens stealing the spotlight.
The air was chilly, so we made the decision to not continue gaining elevation, knowing night temperatures would drop. It’s important to remember when planning a trip, going up in elevation brings the temp down 5 degrees for every 1,000 feet gained. Camping near water also leads to cooler sleeping temperatures.
It was very cold camping near the water overnight- probably the coldest I’ve ever been on a backpacking trip. Luckily, I had traveled with friends who were willing to share extra layers and handwarmers. We woke up to some frost on the edge of the lake and frozen puddles.
If I hiked this trail again next year, I would definitely bring a Klymit KSB 20 degree bag, which is a great item for shoulder season camping (early spring and fall) and will keep you warm and toasty!
Caroline: After quite a long span of time of not backpacking (many years), I found myself a little nervous to try this out again. So with the help of my husband, I over-prepared with gear, clothing and supplies. With butterflies in my stomach, a pack on my back, and trekking poles in hands…we three ladies began our adventure.
I have not hiked the Brighton (Lake Mary) area before and quickly realized that the abrupt elevation gain would be challenging…but worth the incredible views along the way and at our final camp destination. There is nothing quite like high mountain hiking as both the climb and the views take your breath away.
After exploring our camp options, we settled on a spot near the back side of Lake Mary and were able to set up our tents and make dinner before that last bit of daylight was leaving.
Evening brought much colder temperatures and I was extremely glad I brought the KSB 0 Hybrid Sleeping Bag and the Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad, which both kept me toasty warm.
My butterflies have subsided and I look forward to more backpacking adventures in the months and years to come!
Be sure to follow the Klymit blog for more first hand trip experience and adventures!
