Nicholas Lemoine, a resident of Bountiful, had planned a serene weekend camping trip, expecting to enjoy the natural beauty of Morgan County's high country. His destination was a trail situated near Francis Peak, a popular area for outdoor enthusiasts. However, what began as a routine excursion quickly transformed into a harrowing experience when Lemoine found himself directly in the path of a rare mountain tornado.
While driving down a trail near Francis Peak on a Friday afternoon, Lemoine observed the sky rapidly darkening and the winds around him intensifying. The sudden change in weather conditions was unexpected for the high-altitude environment. Lemoine expressed his astonishment at the event, stating his surprise to encounter a tornado at such an elevation where they are not typically anticipated.
The incident unfolded with remarkable speed. In the mid-afternoon, Lemoine received an alert on his phone indicating a tornado warning for the area. Approximately two minutes after receiving this urgent notification, the tornado struck his location. With no time to react and no immediate path to safety, Lemoine acted quickly, hunkering down inside his truck and bracing for the impact of the powerful winds.
The tornado's strong winds caused significant devastation in the camping area. Lemoine described how the storm 'tore apart a lot of old growth, virgin forest,' indicating widespread damage to the natural landscape surrounding him. The gusts were so intense that they uprooted dozens of trees, which then fell across the trail. This extensive treefall completely blocked his path, rendering his truck immobile and preventing him from driving out of the area.
Despite the formidable challenge posed by the blocked trail, Lemoine prioritized his personal safety. He made the decision to leave his truck behind on the impassable road. From there, he embarked on a hike to reach the radar domes located by Francis Peak. This strenuous trek allowed him to eventually access a drivable road and make his way out of the area later that Friday night, securing his escape from the immediate danger.
The following day, Lemoine returned to the site of the tornado's impact, bringing with him what he referred to as 'reinforcements' to assist with the substantial cleanup effort. Arriving around 11:00 AM, Lemoine and his companions immediately began the arduous task of clearing the trail. He reported that after approximately four hours of intense labor, they had managed to cut through about 30 to 40 trees, allowing them to reach the location where his truck remained stranded.
Lemoine estimated that the complete process of properly cutting and clearing the remaining trees from the trail to fully free his vehicle could still take 'a day or two' of continuous effort. Despite the intensity of the experience and the considerable work ahead, Lemoine counted his blessings. He confirmed that he sustained no injuries during the tornado, and he observed no visible damage to his truck.
Reflecting on his survival, Lemoine expressed profound gratitude. He stated, "I'm lucky to be here, I'm lucky I didn't get injured or worse than that." He anticipates that the extraordinary event will provide him with "a fun story to tell for a long time," underscoring the rare and memorable nature of encountering such a powerful weather phenomenon in the mountains of Morgan County.
