The hike to the summit wasn't just a lazy walk in the park. The trail is steep and the sharpe rocks are very unforgiving, throw in the 11,700 ft of elevation and my lungs felt like exploding like an A-bomb!
Once we reached the Summit at 8:24 am. I was overcome with accomplishment and joy. I had finally conquered the mountain that I loved and respected so much. It was a great feeling, but the cold thin morning air was definitely and awakening experience. After a quick snack and some pics we were back on the trail and on our way back down the Mtn.
This time we really got to see the real beauty of the seasons. The smaller Mtns surrounding Timpanogos we painted yellows, reds, oranges, and all other fall colors. As we dropped out back into the tree line we were meet by a huge bowl that looked like we were walking the frozen Tundra of Denali and just pasted there we enter the painted forest where bright colors are the norm. 
So on this first ascend up Timpanogos, I learned a deeper appreciation for the shire spender of a Giant mountain. I also learned that it isn't the just the beauty of the hike that made the trip, but it was the conversation and stories that Mallary and I shared that fullfilled and strenghtened our love and friendship that made the trip.I will be there again next year, FOR SURE!
It was a ton of fun to see Gunner so excited and do so good. (even though he missed a few) Cash did more then great. He brought back all the downed birds and minded very well. 
On Sat afternoon Gunner and I build a sweet duck blind that sits up about 5 feet out of the water and it about 10 feet long and 5 feet wide it should be very nice compared to standing in the mud. It was a great outing full of laghts and hi-fives...the one thing that was missing was having Jeremy and Jordan there. Its so much fun hunting all together as brothers. Now Gunner is as cocky as ever with his success and war wound brouse! 
Just a quick recap of last years youth hunt 2007: Gunner got his hunter safey a week before the hunt so Jeremy and I took him out to our secret spot on his first ever Duck hunt. The weather was hot until a storm blew in and made some ducks fly. Gunner shot two Teal and missed a couple others. It was a awesome to see him do so well on his first time shooting a shootgun. We had to leave early so he could get to his baseball game. Jer and I were pretty proud. Busting the trail to the spot was crazy in the Jeep. Here are some pics of last years hunt: 
I noticed a few Caddis flying around and that made me feel a little relief. Then as we made our way down the steep hill, through the tress and into Hoovers hole we were greeted by a splashing Trout, which made us all excited. We quickly tied on our outfits and right off the bat Griff on his 4th cast ever with a fly rod hooked into a nice 15-17 inch Brown on his Para Adams. With his excitement he poled the fish right out of the water and just like that it spit the hook. As the sun went down and night fell upon us Jeff got into a few nice fish, but the as luck has it they some how eluded his Caddis flies and swam free for another day. (That's fly fishing) Gunner also hooked up but was never able to bring one to the net. The rest of the night was owned by the beginner himself. Griff hooked up again with a nice 14 inch Brown which he brought to hand for a quick release. 
But the highlight of the outing was when Griff hooked up for his third time of the night. I guess third times the charm...This time he said with a shaky high voice "I got another one and he is big" He fought the huge Rainbow as it made multiple runs and leaps. 
Finally as the large fish tired his brought it to the the shore like a seasoned veteran fly fisherman. The Rainbow was a nice 18-19 inch fish that was fat as a pig. It was an amazing experience to see father and son so excited as they gazed at their trophy. 
It's experiences like these that make me realize why I am a fly fisherman and what it does not only for myself, but for all those I fish with. It is memories like these, we share that build friendships that last a lifetime...We all shared in the success that night...What beginners luck
The highlights of the trip were:
The action wasn't red hott like I hoped, but just being out with my Grandpa in my boat made up for all the time in between the few bites we got. It's the stories (old and new), experiences and conversation that makes a trip like this so priceless. I really enjoyed every second of fishing with my grandpa. The fish were just the icing on the cake...
Provo Canyon on the way home 
Goose and Duck Season just a day away! 
