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Show || USE WASATCH COUNTY COURIER Agust17, 1999 Great Camping Here Rich Rasband & Lisa Rasband, In my opinion, Wasatch County is THE most beautiful place to live in the state. People from southern Utah may argue that their red rocks, prickly pear, sage brush, and natural arches are prettier, Contributing Writers taining roads than the Kamas Ranger District. Keep going and you will encounter the sight that made the rough road worthwhile. You'll see groves of quaking aspen and fir trees. The scent of high mountain lakes, quaking aspen, and lodgepole pine can’t be beat. Wasatch County’s rural atmosphere and recreational opportunities draw thou- the evergreen trees and sage brush. in the cool mountain air alone is. worth the drive. My mother’s family, the Thackets, ran a sawmill in this area during the late 1940’s and early 1950's. I grew up hearing sands of people each year to well- known stories about life at Soapstone, so it is a places like Strawberry Bay, Soldier Creek, Jordanelle, and Deer Creek. But how many people from outside the valley have heard of Soapstone, Duchesne Ridge, or Heart Lake? Not many, l’ll bet. particular favorite of mine. You'll find many good camping areas, but bring your but for my money, Wasatch County's. There may also be many local people who have not had the opportunity to experience many of the lesser known places in Wasatch County. Now would be a great time to go exploring. Before | began spending hours being stared down in a classroom by sixth graders, | - spent several summers working for the Forest Service in the Heber Ranger District. During that time I came Heart Lake, on Duschesne own water. Don’t expect hookups for your _ Duchesne Ridge—This or the faint - coming of heart. Take a truck or one of them pretty, new-fangled S.U.V’s. There are sevetal ways to get to the Duchesne Ridge ~ Road. For the most scenic and adven- turous route, go east on Center Street in Heber until the road turns into sign on your right pointing to the Duchesne Ridge. This is where the real fun begins. The road up Lake Creek is very rough easy and look out for the happy campers is the most Lake down Lake Creek Road. This end of the Duchesne Ridge Road In. places the road isn’t very wide. If you. take the kids and they get bored while — traveling, see how many local people’s names they recognize carved in the quaking aspen. There are literally hundreds. Drive past the forest boundary to where Lake Creek Road meets the old road to Current Creek. Turn left toward County's three to best kept be Soapstone | Basin—Soapstone ground is about eleven miles Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway. tourists there, so don’t soon the Uinta “Wasatch County offers numerous quick jaunts Kit Carson, a Ute Wolf Creek Campground, which is a pretty decent place to stay. I’m not a big titles should a fan of established campgrounds, but this one is prettier than most. State Highway 35 passes right by Wolf Creek. This road will take you safely and quickly back to the Kamas Valley, and then home. | Insurance Broker | MU A pius 5 AND FUN! Mill not enjoy roughing it, but would like to get away for a few days. Mill Hollow Old Town Craft Mall. ..654-1331 Handmade Gifts and Home Decor. offers ¢Workmens Comp chime RM cecum ions Dental, Vision good physical condition won’t have any trouble hiking it. August and September are the best months to visit these places. Snowbanks have melted, so you won't have to drive ‘Heber City, Utah 84032 Art of the Earth.....657-1801 A kinder, gentler, unm.cheaper. . AE C,S RZ miles in reverse, looking for a wide spot Voice: 435-654-7587 ¢ Cell: 801-376-0971 800-748-5102* Fax: 435-654-7599 © in the road to turn around. The nights — are cool, so flies and other insects are not so prevalent. Take the time to www. aplusbenefits. com explore the backroads of Wasatch County. You'll be glad you did. AE Sear wee " a RR SR SS The makes it’s way around the side of a hill. Business Consultant 325 West 910 South Heber's LARGEST SCRAPBOOK store. water. This trail is especially pretty during the fall, because it passes through quaking aspen. The trail is slightly strenuous, but ‘not too bad. Someone in moderately Kelly Christensen Room.......654-1331 running yards, then veers off to the right and «Complete Insurance backages eHealth, and Mill Hollow also offers several nice hiking trails. My favorite trail follows an old logging road for several hundred «Complete Payroll Service and Soil.......654-1331 toilets campground sits by Mill Hollow Reservoir, so bring your fishing pole. Offering and pastries. ean I listed this established campground because I know there are people who do running a business. A-Plus Benefits lets you spend time doing what you Ss best. Munchie Mansion.801-368-5989 Gourmet Sandwiches, smoothies Campground—You Kamas turn-off. Follow the road past Francis and Woodland to where the pavement ends. Turn right at the Mill Hollow sign. It should take you about forty-five minutes to get there. Spend your time doing what you do best, We've expanded our Antiques into the Depot! Hollow get to Mill Hollow Campground by travelling north on Highway 40 to the BENEFITS Yesterday's Treasure’s.654-5550 Grandma's Jim. Bridger, can get back out. At the other end of the Duchesne Ridge Road you will find ; Payroll Specialist, Risk Manager, Benefits Administrator Safety Director, Human Resource Manager mecaNe neko at this area, _it-is raining. You may spend several days waiting for the road to ‘dry. before you er from the crowds. _ business owner have? Hearth Looking feel daring, take the access road down to — the lake, but don’t travel on. this road if How many FOOD, SHOP DP il River. see Heart Lake off the ridge to the right. National Forest sign, the road flattens out and the ride is smoother. For some reason, the Heber Ranger. District is better at main- fragrant You can stop and enjoy the view. If you road is rough, but keep going. As as you pass a gorgeous. Keep going and you ‘will soon stop. Instead, turn off at the campground and continue driving up the mountain. The through Indian, or even a prehistoric Fremont Indian, discovering this basin for the first time. “Breath-taking” may_ be a cliche, but. it applies here. The view is Campeast of just find meanders Duchesne secrets. You'll initially forest of evergreens, mainly fir. The road is a little rutted, but don’t let that stop you. As you leave the evergreens behind you will soon see what makes this ride worthwhile. Off to the right you will look down on the west fork of the where there isn’t a hint of civilization to be seen, may give you an idea of what the early pioneers saw when they first entered the area. Or you can pretend to know Wasatch County very well. These are Wasatch Heber. sakes for a giikk getaway. Mill Hollow. Keep going until you see a and covered with washboards, so take it scenic drive in the county. However, it isn’t for automobiles Ridge nnear Creek Road. Go past ‘Nek: Lakes to where the pavement ends. Keep going. - camper toilets, becaiise there aren’t any. CLL | PR EE RN Re ASE Er RS Re eG TOR ne ee |