Musinia Peak (Marys Nipple)

We had always noticed a unique peak, called Musinia (Marys Nipple) as we were driving I-70 returning from trips to Moab and Colorado.  Since our route going home from the Wasatch Plateau would take us right by this peak, there was no way we couldn’t stop and bag this short, but fun hike.  Although there is no “official” trail, there is obviously one that starts from an unmarked road to the north of the peak and provides an enjoyable two-mile stroll to the base of the mountain.  From here it is a short scramble up through the rock fortress that guards access to the summit – the final push does require pulling oneself through a class 3 chute, but if two sixty years old can do it, we’re assuming you can, as well!

We got an early start as the sun was rising over Emerald Lake

A little farther down the road we passed by Blue Lake . . . the Wasatch Plateau has so many lakes!

The trail begins in a lush aspen forest
(If you don't see this old trough within a quarter mile, you're not on the right path)

After a steep initial ascent . . .
The trail levels out and follows a ridge that provides outstanding views on both sides for the remaining 1.5 miles

The wildflowers were "pretty" amazing!

This section was short . . . but very steep . . . remember, one step-at-a-time!

Kent is working his way to the chute

The chute was tricky . . . but we made it!
We actually found that coming down was easier than going up . . . go figure!

On top was this sighting tower . . . something we hadn't seen before,
along with a benchmark (silver disk next to Kent's pack) and two reference markers 

Musinia offers great views in every direction
(For the best views make sure to walk out to the western most point)

There were log books to sign . . .
 Along with this interesting box with a funny plaque and several pieces of signaling mirrors

Kent taking in one last view before descending the chute

After many years of dreaming about hiking this peak, it was good to make it a reality!

(In the distance are the peaks we hiked the past two days . . .

Mt. Baldy 10,918, Heliotrope Mountain 11,130 and Peak 11,071)

As on any hike, we constantly look up to see the peak we are striving to reach . . .
Hiking down a trail, we often see things we missed like this field of Alpine Shooting Stars

Tom had done this peak a few weeks earlier, so he took a different route home that was easier for his truck and trailer.  Click here if you would like to see his Peakbagger.com post that has a topo route and GPS track.

The starting point for the trail that shows on the topo map no longer exists.  It does, however, begin from an unmarked road that exits FS road 150 just to the north of where Tom started (it, as well, does not show on the topo map).  After taking this road watch for a FS trail marker (no motorized vehicles beyond this point; open to foot traffic; etc.) as you head west on this unmarked two-track.  Park at the sign and begin the hike on an old road behind the FS marker.  This abandoned road eventually turns into a trail somewhere between peaks 10,375 & 10,266 that show on Tom's topo map.

Peak 11071 & Flagstaff Peak

After returning to camp, from hiking Heliotrope Mountain, we were able to get a good lunch and make plans for our afternoon hike.  First up was a short jaunt to the top of Peak 11,071.  While records don’t show that there was ever a benchmark placed on top, there was plenty of evidence to suggest there had been one at some point in time.

We still had time to get Flagstaff Peak, so off we went.  Tom had tried this peak a few weeks ago, but was unable to make the last 30 feet due to loose rock, and strong winds that threatened to blow him off the cliff face.  The National Geodetiic website showed a benchmark from 1890 and he really wanted to bag and update their database.  It took several tries and a different route for him to get to the top, but unfortunately the benchmark was long gone.

A short but steep hike . . . but unlike our Heliotrope Mountain hike, earlier in the day, no wind!

 Island Lake . . . yes, we are in Utah!
Tom suggested we wade to the island so he could make a provisional peak post for Peakbagger.com . . .
Then he could call it Island Lake Island Highpoint!  Who knows?  He just might do it!

Kent & Tom check the summit register

On the way back, we took a slightly different path so we could check out this notch

After dinner, we had planned to go fish a nearby lake . . .
 but we also knew Tom was itching to bag Flagstaff Peak . . . so off we went!

Having grown up and lived in Flagstaff, AZ, for thirty years this peak's name intrigued us . . .
It wasn't too hard to convince us to get our third peak of the day!

Not a long hike . . . but definitely uphill all the way . . . what a strange pyramid shaped peak!

Layers of loose rocks, with dirt, and a death defying cliff, is a good way to describe this peak   

Tom inching his way to the top, but then panic set in . . . we thought he might spend the night! Ha!
 Allison was following behind, she wanted to keep going, but turned back, too
(If you look closely you can see the surveyor "X" at the top of the peak . . . oh, so close!)

Retreating back downhill a bit, and then trying a different route from the north side,
we were able to find a chute that looked doable . . .
Success!  Tom made it to the top!
No benchmark, but this triangulation station is proof enough!

 Tom makes his way down off the top through the chute . . . a happy man!

Wasatch Beardtongue or Penstemon have cute little faces!

As we we headed back down we could see storms brewing off to our west where we were camped

As always, Tom has logged our hikes together on Peakbagger.com.  His posts come with a topo map and GPS tracks.  Click Peak 11071 & Flagstaff Peak if you would like to see our route of some short but interesting hikes.

Heliotrope Mountain

This was a very enjoyable hike!  After a short, but steep ascent, most of the hiking is across a gently sloping plateau of open meadows that takes you to the base of Heliotrope Ridge.  While devoid of much vegetation, there are some neat rock formations on the southern side of the ridge, and expansive views are abundant along the ridge while hiking to the summit.  We especially liked the 1919 benchmark and had fun locating a reference/azimuth marker half a mile away on our return trip.  It was on a rock we had earlier used for a wind shelter, not knowing it was there – ah, you got to love the ironies of hiking!

   We woke up early to this beautiful sunrise!

Looking at this windblown Limber Pine should have prepared us for the day ahead

The high meadows were quite a surprise

Ezy was ready to go . . . Tom needed to rest a bit 

Notice Kent's' attire . . . gloves, hat & down jacket . . . it was cold & windy!
(It was in the low 40's, but wind chill made it seem like it was much colder)

Tom located the Benchmark from 1919

We found several bricks scattered about near the BM . . .
Surveyors used the bricks to build small piers on which to mount their instruments  

Tom & Kent are searching for the azimuth marker . . .
Nearly a half mile away from the benchmark . . . good thing Tom had done his homework!

These rock formations on top seemed out of place, but made for a nice windbreak 

Nuttall's Sandwort was growing among the rocks

Allison is taking a picture of the azimuth marker
(This is the rock we had earlier used as a windbreak not knowing the azimuth was right above us)

The azimuth points True North toward the triangulation station that once was on top of Heliotrope

It's amazing to see where flowers grow

Working our way back along the ridge and battling the wind

Ah . . . the meadow reappears . . . that means we are headed back to the trailhead!

Jacob's Ladder

On the way back, we took a short detour to check out this neat formation 

We're not sure what it's called . . . nonetheless, a fun perk at the end of a great hike!

This hike was about six-miles round trip and had 1,300 feet of elevation gain.  For specifics you can click here for a link to Tom's Peakbagger.com post.  He's provided a topo map with GPS tracks if you're interested in using our route - which seems to be the standard route for climbing this mountain.

Mt. Baldy

A couple of months ago, Tom was planning on hiking several peaks in central Utah, but was unable to access them due to the lingering snowpack that kept the roads closed.  He thought we might be interested in doing them together and so we began making plans for a three-day trip to a part of the state we’d never been to before (I know hard for us to believe too!).  This post, and the three that follow, document our time on the Wasatch Plateau.  We had a great trip and look forward to revisiting the area to do some more hiking and fishing.

On our way to meet up with Tom, Allison took this picture of Mt. Baldy . . .
 Little did we know we would soon be hiking to the top!

We left from Tom's camp and it was steep from the get-go

The colorful flowers on this Monument plant were starting to bloom

We kept our eyes on the sky as the clouds were building

We stopped often to take in the views . . . a good excuse so we could catch our breath!
Once we gained this ridge, the hike became a "cake walk" to the summit

We were in awe of the high plateau green meadows

Looking at this scenery it's hard to believe we are in a drought

The mountain on the right is Musinia (Marys Nipple) . . . we'll be doing it in a few days

Sulphur Indian Paintbrush

By far the oldest Benchmark we have ever seen . . . from the 1890's era
(A hole was drilled into the stone and the copper nail was secured by molten lead)

Tom and Kent are reading the summit register placed by an Albuquerque hiking group in 2020

Rosy Indian Paintbrush was so bright and colorful

Looking to the north . . . that's Twelve Mile Flat in the valley below

Wildflowers like this American Vetch and Columbine were in full bloom

After the hike we drove to the Willow Lake campground where we met friends John & Mary

 The cooler temperatures were a welcome reprieve from the southern Utah heat . . .
Yep, that's our tent after a rain & hail storm!   

For a topo map and GPS tracks for this hike, please check out Tom's post on Peakbagger.com by clicking here.  The hike was about four-miles round trip and had approximately 1,000 ft of elevation gain.  It doesn't seem like this peak receives a lot of visits, but it's a nice hike with very rewarding views.