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Trail of the Vanished: A Mountain Man Western
By the Author of Grizzly The Making of a Mountain Man- True West Magazine's best in Frontier Fiction for 2017 After returning from the Afghan war, army veteran Matt Taylor and his brother Jeff hiked into the wilderness for a week of fishing and relaxation. Thrown into the past by the fury of a severe lightning storm, they find themselves fighting for survival in a time and wilderness never before seen by modern man. Haunted by dreams and pursued by hostile Indians, Matt not only has to survive the wilds of the early 19th century but he must follow dreams he does not understand if he is going to find a way back home.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 3, 2018
425 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Lane R. Warenski
32 books46 followersLane R Warenski lives in a log home in Duchesne County, Utah, where he has an unrestricted view of the highest peaks in the mighty Uinta Mountains. Warenski was raised being proud of his pioneer heritage and with a deep love and respect of the outdoors. Ever since childhood, following his father, Lane R Warenski has hunted, fished, and camped the mountains of the West. Whether it was the daily journals of William Ashley and Jedediah Smith or the fictional stories written by the great storytellers like Louis L’Amour and Terry C. Johnston, throughout his life, Warenski loves reading the history of the first explorers that came west, most of whom never dreamed they were opening this wild and rugged land to the pioneers and settlers that followed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 16, 2019
"A Great, Fascinating Time Travel Through Old Utah"
This is an exciting story which is entertaining with lots of action. After returning from the Afghan war, veteran Matt Taylor and his brother Jeff hike into the mountains to relax and go fishing for a week. There is a severe lightning storm and they are cast into a different time and wilderness never seen by modern man. It's a fight for their survival. Awesome to read and I highly recommend.
This is an exciting story which is entertaining with lots of action. After returning from the Afghan war, veteran Matt Taylor and his brother Jeff hike into the mountains to relax and go fishing for a week. There is a severe lightning storm and they are cast into a different time and wilderness never seen by modern man. It's a fight for their survival. Awesome to read and I highly recommend.
July 1, 2018
Read it you'll like it
L'Amour said there are only a few stories, and an author had to fit characters and places into them. The author does a fabulous job of blending
L'Amour said there are only a few stories, and an author had to fit characters and places into them. The author does a fabulous job of blending
June 26, 2018
Good Read
A well written story with a lot of history and facts. Easy to read and a very enjoyable afternoon. Highly recommended.
A well written story with a lot of history and facts. Easy to read and a very enjoyable afternoon. Highly recommended.
May 29, 2018
Good story
This was a good story line, several unexpected twists, but i thought the ending was a little abrupt and there was a lot of reflection by the subject of the story that seemed to just be filler.
This was a good story line, several unexpected twists, but i thought the ending was a little abrupt and there was a lot of reflection by the subject of the story that seemed to just be filler.
April 28, 2018
Loved it
Recommend this to anyone that enjoys history and a little bit of magic. Loved it. Can't wait for another one
Recommend this to anyone that enjoys history and a little bit of magic. Loved it. Can't wait for another one
July 26, 2021
Lane Warenski – Trail of the Vanished – Reviewed 7/21/21 – Read 7/17/21
A camping trip turns into a trip of terror and survival in the “Trail of the Vanished”
Brothers Matt and Jeff Taylor decided that they would take off and enjoy time camping together. They decided to go to their favorite spot southeast of Farmers Lake in the High Uinta Primitive area of northeastern Utah. The boys had grown up in these mountains camping with their family and had hiked, hunted, and fished all over the mountains. Jeff 2 years younger had watched his brother go off to the military, he graduated from high school then went to work and began taking classes at Utah State’s Roosevelt campus. Matt had ended up in Afghanistan, having just returned after going through hell there. He lost his friends, but he made it through. He had a major case of survivor's guilt, but he was trying to work through it.
The brothers had always been close, so they decided to take the time and work on being back together once more. Both had hoped that their dad would be able to come but a meeting changed that plan. Their parents also felt that the boys needed the time together to do a bit of bonding again. They spent the first night just relaxing and enjoying the mountains. As they sat around the fire, Matt spoke up about his time in Afghanistan and how an RPG came in while he and his friends were sitting around a fire, just like they were doing just then. He still could not understand how or why he survived.
The next morning as Jeff went down to the lake to do a little fishing for their breakfast, he figured a nice fat trout would taste mighty good. Matt got the campfire going and brewed coffee for them, then just sat back enjoying the sights and sounds of the mountains, the hawk above, the fawn not far down the path, and the trout jumping in the lake. He cursed himself for trying to figure out what was behind every bush, knowing that he was home again and not in Afghanistan. After breakfast, they packed their day packs and planned to hike a little to explore. Not long after they took off the sky clouded up and they could see the lightning storm heading for them, and then a big strike occurred, and everything changed!
Join Matt and Jeff while they try to figure out what happen and where they were…
What did I like? This was so cool; I love time travel and this book took me flying. I was so caught up that I could hardly put the book down and read the whole thing in one sitting. I thought that Lane did an amazing job with the storyline and kept it moving without any interruptions to the thought process. The emotions that the boys went through were incredible, both of them with their own fears and trying to help each other throughout.
What will you like? Oh wow, exciting, interesting, incredible, fascinating, mysterious, and thought-provoking. This book will take you on a trip that you won’t forget for a while. Lane’s descriptions show his strength in writing and captivating his readers. The details take you right into the storyline and holding your breath all the way through. The plot was so beautiful and believable, it captured me from the first page. Don’t miss adding this wonderful read to your Library today. “Trail of the Vanished” is available NOW!!!!
• ASIN: B07CDW367N
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 4/3/2018
• File Size: 1104 KB
• Print Length: 258 pages
• Genre: Louis L'Amour Westerns, Time Travel Science Fiction, Vigilante Justice
A camping trip turns into a trip of terror and survival in the “Trail of the Vanished”
Brothers Matt and Jeff Taylor decided that they would take off and enjoy time camping together. They decided to go to their favorite spot southeast of Farmers Lake in the High Uinta Primitive area of northeastern Utah. The boys had grown up in these mountains camping with their family and had hiked, hunted, and fished all over the mountains. Jeff 2 years younger had watched his brother go off to the military, he graduated from high school then went to work and began taking classes at Utah State’s Roosevelt campus. Matt had ended up in Afghanistan, having just returned after going through hell there. He lost his friends, but he made it through. He had a major case of survivor's guilt, but he was trying to work through it.
The brothers had always been close, so they decided to take the time and work on being back together once more. Both had hoped that their dad would be able to come but a meeting changed that plan. Their parents also felt that the boys needed the time together to do a bit of bonding again. They spent the first night just relaxing and enjoying the mountains. As they sat around the fire, Matt spoke up about his time in Afghanistan and how an RPG came in while he and his friends were sitting around a fire, just like they were doing just then. He still could not understand how or why he survived.
The next morning as Jeff went down to the lake to do a little fishing for their breakfast, he figured a nice fat trout would taste mighty good. Matt got the campfire going and brewed coffee for them, then just sat back enjoying the sights and sounds of the mountains, the hawk above, the fawn not far down the path, and the trout jumping in the lake. He cursed himself for trying to figure out what was behind every bush, knowing that he was home again and not in Afghanistan. After breakfast, they packed their day packs and planned to hike a little to explore. Not long after they took off the sky clouded up and they could see the lightning storm heading for them, and then a big strike occurred, and everything changed!
Join Matt and Jeff while they try to figure out what happen and where they were…
What did I like? This was so cool; I love time travel and this book took me flying. I was so caught up that I could hardly put the book down and read the whole thing in one sitting. I thought that Lane did an amazing job with the storyline and kept it moving without any interruptions to the thought process. The emotions that the boys went through were incredible, both of them with their own fears and trying to help each other throughout.
What will you like? Oh wow, exciting, interesting, incredible, fascinating, mysterious, and thought-provoking. This book will take you on a trip that you won’t forget for a while. Lane’s descriptions show his strength in writing and captivating his readers. The details take you right into the storyline and holding your breath all the way through. The plot was so beautiful and believable, it captured me from the first page. Don’t miss adding this wonderful read to your Library today. “Trail of the Vanished” is available NOW!!!!
• ASIN: B07CDW367N
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 4/3/2018
• File Size: 1104 KB
• Print Length: 258 pages
• Genre: Louis L'Amour Westerns, Time Travel Science Fiction, Vigilante Justice
May 31, 2018
TRAIL OF THE VANISHED by Lane R. Warenski has much to admire but also elements that for whatever reasons (perhaps personal preference) I do not enjoy as much.
This is a time travel book. The protagonist, Matt Taylor, and his brother, Jeff, are whisked from modern day Utah to 1825. Without understanding what happened, they enter survival mode and start to make their way in the new reality with only a few modern conveniences (guns, butane lighters, jackets).
A point in Warenski’s favor is that he does not allow this story to become maudlin. Very quickly the younger brother is killed by hostile Indians. Matt, a veteran of the current war in Afghanistan, with superior modern firepower, quickly dispatches the Indians and he is left alone without friends or family.
This is where this book is at its best. Matt knows he will eventually run out of ammunition and his butane lighters will empty. He has to transition to use what is available to him. Thanks in part to his father teaching him woodsman skills as a child and his military experience, Matt learns the skills needed to survive: Hunting, tracking, horsemanship (with horses from the dead Indians), skinning and tanning hides, stealth, and using flint lock rifles (obtained from trappers he befriended but could not save). I especially liked watching the natural transformation from 21st century camper to 19th century mountain man.
Part of Matt’s success was knowledge of the lay-out of the land from his various camping trips but without the overlay of highways, man-made lakes, and so on. He was able to experience the land in its original state, before the invasion of white men. (I, for one, enjoyed this because I have often tried to envision what the land was like before concrete and asphalt.)
Finally, Warenski introduced a touch of fantasy with a series of dreams relating to the Anasazi civilization, the creation myth of that people, and a mysterious wolf guide.
With all this being said, however, there were elements I found lacking. For one thing, the triggers for entering the past and returning to the present seemed a little tired. More seriously, I thought the story ended weakly. For most of the book, much was made of a valley where Matt seemed destined to reach, guided by the wolf, and references to Matt’s back story that seemed to prepare him for this adventure. That plot line, however. was never resolved.
I also thought that Matt’s return to the present was anti-climactic. It seemed more of a sketch than a well-developed part of the story.
Taken all together, however, I found this is an enjoyable book, well worth reading.
This is a time travel book. The protagonist, Matt Taylor, and his brother, Jeff, are whisked from modern day Utah to 1825. Without understanding what happened, they enter survival mode and start to make their way in the new reality with only a few modern conveniences (guns, butane lighters, jackets).
A point in Warenski’s favor is that he does not allow this story to become maudlin. Very quickly the younger brother is killed by hostile Indians. Matt, a veteran of the current war in Afghanistan, with superior modern firepower, quickly dispatches the Indians and he is left alone without friends or family.
This is where this book is at its best. Matt knows he will eventually run out of ammunition and his butane lighters will empty. He has to transition to use what is available to him. Thanks in part to his father teaching him woodsman skills as a child and his military experience, Matt learns the skills needed to survive: Hunting, tracking, horsemanship (with horses from the dead Indians), skinning and tanning hides, stealth, and using flint lock rifles (obtained from trappers he befriended but could not save). I especially liked watching the natural transformation from 21st century camper to 19th century mountain man.
Part of Matt’s success was knowledge of the lay-out of the land from his various camping trips but without the overlay of highways, man-made lakes, and so on. He was able to experience the land in its original state, before the invasion of white men. (I, for one, enjoyed this because I have often tried to envision what the land was like before concrete and asphalt.)
Finally, Warenski introduced a touch of fantasy with a series of dreams relating to the Anasazi civilization, the creation myth of that people, and a mysterious wolf guide.
With all this being said, however, there were elements I found lacking. For one thing, the triggers for entering the past and returning to the present seemed a little tired. More seriously, I thought the story ended weakly. For most of the book, much was made of a valley where Matt seemed destined to reach, guided by the wolf, and references to Matt’s back story that seemed to prepare him for this adventure. That plot line, however. was never resolved.
I also thought that Matt’s return to the present was anti-climactic. It seemed more of a sketch than a well-developed part of the story.
Taken all together, however, I found this is an enjoyable book, well worth reading.
May 27, 2021
Walking in the footsteps of Grizzly Killer
After binge reading all twelve books of the Grizzly Killer series and loving them all, I went through a withdrawal period where no book would satisfy this constant readers desire for a good reading experience. Not even my favorite authors new releases fulfilled me. I longed for the new friends I discovered in the series s I had just finished both human and animal. It's now May 27 and the next book is due to be delivered in a few days. Trail of the Vanished brought back some of the locations visited by Grizzly Killer and the appearance of the wolf and relationships between man and animals filled the longing in me for more. Never in a long time has this constant reader enjoyed an author's work more. Thank you, Mr. Warenski for sharing your wonderful gift. Keep the series alive and well.
After binge reading all twelve books of the Grizzly Killer series and loving them all, I went through a withdrawal period where no book would satisfy this constant readers desire for a good reading experience. Not even my favorite authors new releases fulfilled me. I longed for the new friends I discovered in the series s I had just finished both human and animal. It's now May 27 and the next book is due to be delivered in a few days. Trail of the Vanished brought back some of the locations visited by Grizzly Killer and the appearance of the wolf and relationships between man and animals filled the longing in me for more. Never in a long time has this constant reader enjoyed an author's work more. Thank you, Mr. Warenski for sharing your wonderful gift. Keep the series alive and well.
July 5, 2024
Time travel at its best. Unbelievable story, or is it? Who actually can say what happens in a haunted world or is it just part of our minds. This book is well written and I'm glad I read it. After reading the Grizzly Killer series, this book was quite a change. I've enjoyed the historical writings with creative license, both in the series I've completed and this wonderful book. Two brothers go off on a camping trip to Yellowstone but only one returns after living in a world that was no longer in the 1900's but back in the 1824 era. It was a lively adventure and I loved how Matt survived. I seriously doubt many of us would have done well had we lived a couple hundred years ago. Thanks for a great story. I was totally entertained.
August 5, 2019
Trail of The Vanished
When we were young boys, our father introduced my brother and me to a mountain traiI that we have enjoyed tremendously over the years as we hiked along this trail. The years passed and we found ourselves once again on this trail while dad stayed home with mom.
Suddenly, we awoke from a long nights sleep. Things were different/ moved some how. Gradually we realized that something had changed. Animals began to appear that had become extinct years ago. Indians started to appear, mean dangerous ones. Mother nature began to show us how she had changed things. Animals no longer feared us. Anything that was modern disappeared, even my brother was gone.
When we were young boys, our father introduced my brother and me to a mountain traiI that we have enjoyed tremendously over the years as we hiked along this trail. The years passed and we found ourselves once again on this trail while dad stayed home with mom.
Suddenly, we awoke from a long nights sleep. Things were different/ moved some how. Gradually we realized that something had changed. Animals began to appear that had become extinct years ago. Indians started to appear, mean dangerous ones. Mother nature began to show us how she had changed things. Animals no longer feared us. Anything that was modern disappeared, even my brother was gone.
April 11, 2023
excellent story!
I’ve read all of Lanes Grizzly Killer stories. And enjoyed that series. That said, I was glad he moved on. This story is different, if you enjoyed Stars dreams, this will be a perfect fit. Lane doesn’t over do it at all, but the ancient mysticism is a big part of the theme of this story. Personally, I am a strong believer in the part of us, that is just beyond the veil… I call it the Holy Spirit. Mr Warenski handled part of our shared life experience perfectly in this tale.
I’ve read all of Lanes Grizzly Killer stories. And enjoyed that series. That said, I was glad he moved on. This story is different, if you enjoyed Stars dreams, this will be a perfect fit. Lane doesn’t over do it at all, but the ancient mysticism is a big part of the theme of this story. Personally, I am a strong believer in the part of us, that is just beyond the veil… I call it the Holy Spirit. Mr Warenski handled part of our shared life experience perfectly in this tale.
September 29, 2023
Exciting and educational book of the early 1980's in Utah
This is the type of book they should use in history classes to really learn how difficult life was in the wild west. It was interesting and not boring like school was. You get a real appreciation for what life was like in the early 1800's and how lucky we are with all the modern conveniences we have, especially heat. hot water and grocery stores.
Anyone interested in history and survival would enjoy this book.
This is the type of book they should use in history classes to really learn how difficult life was in the wild west. It was interesting and not boring like school was. You get a real appreciation for what life was like in the early 1800's and how lucky we are with all the modern conveniences we have, especially heat. hot water and grocery stores.
Anyone interested in history and survival would enjoy this book.
July 30, 2018
Trail of the Vanished
This was a really outstanding storyline and book. It kept my attention all through the book. Highly recommend this book to all your readers as well as all of the Grizzly books that I have them all and each one was truly fantastic to read. I am sorry that I have finish with all of your books that you have written. I wish there were many others.
This was a really outstanding storyline and book. It kept my attention all through the book. Highly recommend this book to all your readers as well as all of the Grizzly books that I have them all and each one was truly fantastic to read. I am sorry that I have finish with all of your books that you have written. I wish there were many others.
June 15, 2020
1740 - 1840
I've been a member of a primitive weapons club SENSE 1993 . You books have made me even more appreciative of that time period . I've had several surgeries a OVER the last few years but HOPE to either get a wall tent or tipi and get back into that lifestyle again. Looking fwd to more of your books
I've been a member of a primitive weapons club SENSE 1993 . You books have made me even more appreciative of that time period . I've had several surgeries a OVER the last few years but HOPE to either get a wall tent or tipi and get back into that lifestyle again. Looking fwd to more of your books
January 18, 2022
Something completely different!
These type of stories are hard to find and I am glad I found this one!
The story itself was great but the lengths he took to describe everything was incredible! The surroundings, what he had to go through and the feeling the young person went through was amazing! So glad I found this book.
These type of stories are hard to find and I am glad I found this one!
The story itself was great but the lengths he took to describe everything was incredible! The surroundings, what he had to go through and the feeling the young person went through was amazing! So glad I found this book.
August 19, 2023
Whoa! What a incredibly good story!
This one deserves a 10 star rating! Goosebumps for sure! What a amazing author! After reading his series I almost passed reading this book, how could it compare? Out of all the time travel stories I've read, and that's a lot, this one was by far the best!
This one deserves a 10 star rating! Goosebumps for sure! What a amazing author! After reading his series I almost passed reading this book, how could it compare? Out of all the time travel stories I've read, and that's a lot, this one was by far the best!
December 24, 2024
Excellent story! My second re-reading.
Thank you again Lane R Warenski f writing this excellent adventure story. This is my second time reading it and writing a review. The first time I had a hard time writing it because of this tablet that I have. Please, keep writing as I really enjoy your Grizzly killer series. A fan!
Thank you again Lane R Warenski f writing this excellent adventure story. This is my second time reading it and writing a review. The first time I had a hard time writing it because of this tablet that I have. Please, keep writing as I really enjoy your Grizzly killer series. A fan!
April 6, 2018
Trail of The Vanished
The story is one that you can find a bit different than what you are used to in a western . The story is almost sci-,fi but has a lot of the old native Americans superstition and lore. This is a good read.
The story is one that you can find a bit different than what you are used to in a western . The story is almost sci-,fi but has a lot of the old native Americans superstition and lore. This is a good read.
April 8, 2018
Great fiction!
Not the usual,really,outstanding.A very good tale of the really old West! It will keep your interest from the first word to the last.I urge everyone to give it a try! You will be glad and want more.
Not the usual,really,outstanding.A very good tale of the really old West! It will keep your interest from the first word to the last.I urge everyone to give it a try! You will be glad and want more.
August 15, 2018
Fantastic story
Could not stop reading this book! For me the most exciting and believable book I have read in many years of reading! I am always looking for a book so well written that reading and rereading will happen.
Thank you for fulfilling my desires!!!
Crockett White
Could not stop reading this book! For me the most exciting and believable book I have read in many years of reading! I am always looking for a book so well written that reading and rereading will happen.
Thank you for fulfilling my desires!!!
Crockett White
August 11, 2019
5 stars
Great storytelling. Terrific imagination. A very believable story of time travel to the year 1824 and then back to 2017. The editor needs a grammar lesson on verb usage and there are word usage problems that are probably typing errors. Still a great story worth reading.
Great storytelling. Terrific imagination. A very believable story of time travel to the year 1824 and then back to 2017. The editor needs a grammar lesson on verb usage and there are word usage problems that are probably typing errors. Still a great story worth reading.
March 12, 2020
Fascinating story of modern man surviving in the wilderness
Loved the book. So many people have simply vanished and this book is showing a possible explanation of what might have happened. Time travel would explain so much. How would an average person survive such a trip?
Loved the book. So many people have simply vanished and this book is showing a possible explanation of what might have happened. Time travel would explain so much. How would an average person survive such a trip?
April 3, 2021
Good story
The idea of modern man going one direction or another in tme is common. This was done well, including the unbelief of modern people that "this is not possible". The action was good.
The idea of modern man going one direction or another in tme is common. This was done well, including the unbelief of modern people that "this is not possible". The action was good.
July 24, 2021
TRULY A TWISTED PLOT, LANE SUCCEED IN KEEPING ME IN A PAGE TURING FRENZY ,COULD NOT STOP READING .
I HOPE HE CONTINUES THIS PERIOD OF WRITINGS. LOVE HIS GRIZZLY KILLER SERIES,HOPING HE CONTINUES WILL NUMBER14. MY NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR
I HOPE HE CONTINUES THIS PERIOD OF WRITINGS. LOVE HIS GRIZZLY KILLER SERIES,HOPING HE CONTINUES WILL NUMBER14. MY NEW FAVORITE AUTHOR
December 26, 2021
Alone and Lost In The Wilderness
A truly intriguing story of two brothers sent back in time to the early 1800s and lost in the wilderness. An exceptional novel that's very hard to put down. Written in the true style of Lane Warenski. I would heartily recommend it!
A truly intriguing story of two brothers sent back in time to the early 1800s and lost in the wilderness. An exceptional novel that's very hard to put down. Written in the true style of Lane Warenski. I would heartily recommend it!
August 11, 2022
Trail of The Vanished
This was a very compelling and imaginative book. I couldn't put it down. I was waiting for there to have been a tie tut o Grizzly Killer himself...but I loved this book
This was a very compelling and imaginative book. I couldn't put it down. I was waiting for there to have been a tie tut o Grizzly Killer himself...but I loved this book
January 23, 2024
So so
Not what I expected. Started out good but then it became boring. It was like I was reading the same thing over and over again. The ending was terrible. It leaves you hanging.
Not what I expected. Started out good but then it became boring. It was like I was reading the same thing over and over again. The ending was terrible. It leaves you hanging.
August 26, 2024
Very different but well written
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's different from Mr Ware skies other books but in a lot of ways, the same. He is definitely a expert of Utah history.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's different from Mr Ware skies other books but in a lot of ways, the same. He is definitely a expert of Utah history.
August 16, 2025
great story
Couldn’t put it down when I started reading this story. Read till the early morning till it was done. This author writes amazing stories and this follows along. Intrigue, suspense, action, Indians and lots of descriptive scenery. Keep up the good work
Couldn’t put it down when I started reading this story. Read till the early morning till it was done. This author writes amazing stories and this follows along. Intrigue, suspense, action, Indians and lots of descriptive scenery. Keep up the good work
December 10, 2025
Too Sci-Fi for me
Too hard to follow for me. It also ended rather abruptly. I still like Lane’s books. This one was just not one I could follow.
Too hard to follow for me. It also ended rather abruptly. I still like Lane’s books. This one was just not one I could follow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews