Although we have lived in Southwest Utah for several years we haven't spent much time in the Pine Valley Mountains, but we see them everyday. The mountain range is rather impressive as it stands out among the red rocks; in fact it is the largest Laccolith (where magma pushes a mountain up, but it never reaches the surface to explode as a volcano) in the United States. So here we are, for the second week in a row exploring a new trail; only this time we're on the sunny side!
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| Starting out on the Blake-Gubler Trail |
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Wow, great views showing the Laccolith (known as the Pine Valley Mountains)
resting on top of the Claron Formation |
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| The scenery changed quickly |
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| Kind of looks like we could be on the moon |
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| Our first peek of fresh snow that fell on Thanksgiving |
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| Do you see the little window? |
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| Views to the south and west |
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| We think we are almost to the top! |
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| The trail is quite brushy . . . shorts not recommended |
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| Mary enjoying the views along the way |
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| Chipper, AKA Photo-bomber! |
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| Mary, John, Kent, Allison and Chipper |
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Looking north towards Burger Peak (10,321) from the high saddle on the trail
The trail continues on up this valley and intersects with the Forsyth/Summit Trail
We turned around here and will finish the trail another day |
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| The Pine Valley Mountains cover a huge area, that's Saddle Mountain (9,111) in the distance |
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| Time to head back down |
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We enjoyed a short break here, a neat spot for exploring
Reminded us of our trip to the Chiracuhua Mountains in Arizona |
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| Hollywood would have a hard time replicating this . . . fingers, towers, pinnacles and spires! |
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| Passing through a change of seasons |
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| The Pine Valley Mountains are quite rugged in places |
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| Approaching the last of the crags . . . we have almost come full circle from where we started |
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The Blake-Gubler Trail offers spectacular scenery.
If you are looking for a trail that is less traveled . . .
this is the hike for you!
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| Aerial view of Blake-Gubler Trail (2.5 miles one-way) |
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