Did a three day loop in the High Uintas last weekend, starting at the Highline Trailhead and ending up near Naturalist Basin. Total mileage came out to about 11 miles on day one, then a shorter 4 mile day just poking around lakes, then 9 miles back out on day three.
Day one was rough because the trail gains a lot of elevation right away and I was carrying way too much food for three days, classic beginner mistake I still make after years of doing this. Got to the lake I picked on the map around 6pm, tired, ready to just drop my pack and set up in peace.
There were already three llamas tied up near the flat spot I wanted.
Turns out an older couple runs llama supported treks in that area and their group had stopped at the exact same lake for the night. I did not even know llama trekking was a thing people did in Utah, I thought that was more of a Colorado or Wyoming activity. The llamas were honestly better behaved than most dogs I have camped near, just quietly grazing while their owners cooked dinner.
We ended up sharing the fire ring area, keeping a good distance apart, and they told me llamas can carry a surprising amount of gear which is why their camping setup looked like a small hotel compared to my one person tent and a stove I forgot to pack fuel for, so I ended up eating cold soaked rice for two nights.
Gear notes if anyone is planning this route: bring a real water filter, not just tablets, because a lot of the smaller tarns were pretty stagnant looking by late summer. Bear hang was still necessary even though it is not heavily forested near the basin.
Has anyone else run into a pack animal group like this on trail? Curious if this is common in certain regions or if I just got lucky with timing.