If you are looking for a fun introductory hike into the Tushar Mountains of southern Utah, this would be a good choice. It's only about 5.5 miles round-trip and gives one an outstanding view of the highest peaks in the Tushar Range. After a rather steep initial ascent, the hike turns out to be a nice stroll to the top of two mountain summits.
Surprisingly, Tom (and Lola) had not been to the top of Signal Peak, so we asked if they'd like to join us for what has seemed like (at least this year) our weekly journey into the Tushar's. Of course it didn't take Tom long to say "Yes!" We're always glad when they come along . . . nothing better than sharing a good hike with good friends . . . today was no exception!
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We were able to drive to a high saddle (10,700) and park in a small meadow . . .
It was here we began the hike up Gold Mountain |
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To the southeast, Peak 11,673 comes into view . . .
It's the seventh highest peak in the Tushars . . .
We plan on summitting it on a future hike to Copperbelt Peak |
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For most of the hike we had fairly stable talus underfoot . . .
it made for an enjoyable hike
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Within minutes we were at treeline and the views began to unfold
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The Tushars are Utah's third highest mountain range . . .
We climbed Mt. Belknap (12,173) in 2008 |
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Patches of these unique vertical tertiary rocks were common throughout the hike
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Time for a break . . . then we'll be on our way to Gold Mountain (11,650)
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Other than the first 300 ft, the hike up Gold Mountain was mostly a steady gradual ascent
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Lola with Tom and Kent
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We are getting closer . . .
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Tom was checking the summit register on Gold Mountain (11,650) . . .
notice Kent holding onto his hat . . . the wind was strong at times!
(Just ask Lola!) |
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Lola decided to pose for a photo with us at the summit cairn
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Kent is peering down into the Fish Creek basin for a possible future hike . . .
he's scouting out the Pipeline Trail (#50) that started at the saddle where we parked . . .
there are supposed to be two old mining cabins and an adit with tracks in the basin |
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Now we are headed for Signal Peak (11,306)
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Gnarled Krummholz trees . . . formed by fierce winds
Notice the many multi-faceted colors that make up Signal Peak |
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When we reached the top of Gold Mountain,
Kent "thought" Signal Peak would be a hop, skip and a jump away . . . not quite!
We had to descend 600 ft then ascend 300 ft in 1 1/2 miles to reach the summit . . . whew!
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Ah . . . we made it! Signal Peak
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We enjoyed a lunch break just below the summit to avoid the wind
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Time to reverse our tracks and head back towards Gold Mountain
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Of course that means we now have to descend 300 ft and ascend 600 ft . . .
Who's idea was this anyway?
(It really wasn't that bad and actually went rather quickly) |
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On the final stretch heading back down Gold Mountain . . .
Our vehicles are parked at the saddle below what looks like snow (but isn't),
in the center of the picture . . . you can see how steep the initial ascent was |
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Here's another view of Signal Peak & Gold Mountain . . .
Tom took this picture last year from the top of Mt. Belknap . . .
It gives a good perspective of what the hike entails! |
For details on this hike, please click
here for Tom's Peakbagger.com description of the hike.
