Last week, as we climbed
Squirrel Peak and took in the surrounding views, we were reminded of our failed attempt to reach the top of
The Beehive nearly nine months ago. We (Kent & Allison) were not so sure we wanted to try it again, but after researching different southerly routes, Tom thought we ought to give it another go.
Boy, are we glad we did! We can't say enough about this hike and anything we try to describe will fall short of our actual experience. This is just one hike you have to experience for yourself, in order to appreciate all the different aspects (challenges, beauty, vistas) it has to offer. As Tom said to us, often, throughout the hike, "Sometimes it's good to push a little beyond your comfort zone." He was right! Because of that extra push this hike went from special to epic!
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| We have been down this road before . . . 261 days ago to be exact! |
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Kent & Tom have done their research as to the best route up through the cliffs
(There's not too much to go on, other than it's possible - others have made it) |
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Even so, we discovered two good ascent routes on our own . . .
Kent & Allison took the Hoodoo . . . Tom scrambled up the Buzzard
(Hoodoo & Buzzard are the names we gave our routes) |
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| Watch for this little Hoodoo and Buzzard rock formations and you'll be good to go! |
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Kent tried the Buzzard, but he chickened out and let Tom have at it . . .
The incline was deceptively steep and there were few hand holds |
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He liked the Hoodoo much better!
As you can see, Tom made it up The Buzzard, and was waiting to help Kent |
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Look out, here comes Allison!
There certainly was more exposure on this route . . . but it was less steep
and provided decent hand holds . . . still, though, it was a little unnerving! |
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Tom is working his way up our second & final climb . . .
Allison actually went up the flat rock, to the left of Kent,
and was able to summit without having to climb through the crack |
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| We are up on the ridge and headed for The Beehive . . . look what lies ahead! |
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| This is going to be fun! |
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| It's magical! |
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| Just a sampling of the unique volcanic rock |
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The Beehive is so amazing . . . it's hard to describe
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It looks like Tom & Kent are walking on a beach . . . but it's sandstone!
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| A chocolate Rice Krispie treat?! |
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| Such intricate design! |
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We found a great lunch spot . . . no wind, no crowds or waiting for a table!
(Hard to believe 50 miles away it was snowing at Tom's house) |
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| Sorry Kent . . . the true summit or highpoint (6,476) is . . . the Hoodoo on the left! Tom wins! |
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There was still a little snow on the north side
(This is the side we tried to come up last April - if one can handle
the very steep descent this would make for a nice loop hike) |
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As the crow flies, Zion National Park is about 10 miles away! What a view!
(That's the West Temple of Zion)
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Squirrel Peak is just off to Allison's right
(We did this fun and rewarding hike last week) |
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| It looks like snow behind us . . . but it's just pure white sandstone |
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| Root remnants of a tree that once was growing on this beehive |
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It's time to head back down . . . what a great time we had exploring The Beehive!
We have a feeling we'll be back!
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| This picture of The Beehive was taken from our Squirrel Peak hike a week ago. Little did we know it would help us plan our route . . . but it did, and it worked! Ah! Stung no more! |
A special thanks to Tom who encouraged us to give this mountain another try. You can find Tom's Peakbagger trip report by clicking
here. This will give you a topo map and gps tracks to follow, should you want to take a similiar route as we did. Round-trip mileage was 6.5 miles for this hike and took us about six hours.
