Marysvale Peak

Kent was caught in the doldrums and was looking for some help to get out of them, so he called Tom and asked if he wanted to do something this week.  After throwing out a few ideas, Tom said let's talk tomorrow and see what each of us can come up with.  The next day when we called, Tom had already found and planned a hike to Marysvale Peak on top of Monroe Mountain.  He said we (us) needed to see some new country on a mountain range we had never explored before.  When he said there was a 1919 benchmark that we could recover, we didn't need to hear any more . . . just sign us up!

The peaks we plan to hike came into view as we drove up Dry Creek Canyon Road

We arrived at Barney Lake just in time to for the aspen glow illumination   

Up on the first ridge . . . Tom was pointing to areas we've hiked in the Tushar Mountains

We followed an old road that came to an abrupt end . . .
Apparently, it was used to reach a long ago abandoned mine

To get a perspective of where we are, go back to the picture of Barney Lake . . . 
We are near the top of the rock slide 

As is customary, we often take a hike to celebrate our anniversary . . . 35 years together!

Tom signed our names in the Peak 10920 summit register

From the top of Peak 10920 we could clearly see Mt. Belknap (12,137 ft) in the Tushar's 

It's never fun to give up elevation, but sometimes it's necessary . . . 
 We are descending Peak 10920 so we can ascend Marysvale Peak, directly ahead 

Bushwhacking is never fun either . . . but then again, there isn't always a trail to follow

Once again, Tom signs our names into the summit register on Marysvale Peak (10,761 ft) 

This unique Benchmark was placed here in 1919

The bolt was cemented in this rock . . .
 Now we hope to locate three Reference stones each marked with a cross

Tom & Kent are searching for one of three Reference Marks 

Ezy & Lola wait patiently for Tom to study the RM location coordinates again 

Allison was busy finding pretty rocks

Tom does not give up easily . . . so now Kent is using his GPS to instruct Tom where to look 

Instead of finding the three RM's . . .  we found ladybugs!

We took a different way down and came upon two bent over trees that formed an arch . . .
Tom joked that this was part of the 'tour' and that people pay good money to see this unique feature! 

It sure feels like Fall when you walk through the colorful aspens 

Orange aspen leaves
Extra points will be given if you can find the tiny bee laying on the forest floor

It's afternoon and we have come full circle! 

Well, Tom really outdid himself this time!  He couldn't have planned a better hike for our anniversary weekend.  New country, beautiful weather, and golden aspens, along with a fun Can-Am ride . . . you would be "hard pressed" to come across a better day or a better hike!

For more information on this hike you can click here for Peak 10920 and here for Marysvale Peak.  By doing so you will be redirected to Tom's Peakbagger.com posts and be able to download GPS tracks and view a topo map of the area.

Mount Brigham

As you know, we love the Tushar's!  Over the last several years we have been trying to complete a loop around them by piecing together various trails that are at tree-line or slightly higher.  However, it's been difficult to complete some sections on the east side (without doing out and backs) due to logistics that involve long vehicle shuttles.

When Tom suggested we hike Mt. Brigham and then look at doing a portion of the Alunite Trail in the afternoon, we were on board!  Our plans changed as we progressed hiking throughout the morning . . . let's translate that last sentence . . . Kent saw a peak we needed to do in order to get five for the day.  The trails will have to wait for another day . . . but we now have a plan for a through hike.  Stay tuned!

 On our way to the Alunite Trailhead . . .
We were glad that Tom decided to bring his Can-Am or we would have been walking the road!

After a steep and rough drive we have arrived at the trailhead (11,200 ft)

Looking east at Mt. Brigham (11,757 ft) . . . time to start hiking!

Looking down at the trailhead and Can-Am . . .
Peak 12002, also known as Delano-Brigham Ridge Peak is calling Kent's name . . . uh oh!
(Tom has already done this one, but he is willing to do it, again)

On top of Mt. Brigham and taking in the views . . .
Mt. Baldy (12,122 ft) and Mt. Belknap (12,137 ft) tower over the ridge to our northwest 

Walking east on the ridgeline of Mt. Brigham . . .
Yes, that's a communications tower, but the road to it is posted "No Trespassing" . . . 
Thus, the reason we came in from the westside which is "open use" land

Tom & Kent getting ready to head for South Edna Peak (11,600 ft) . . . directly in front of us

After hiking Edna Peak (11,640 ft), we side-hilled Mt. Brigham and headed toward this bump for our lunch break

Trying to escape the cold wind, we took a slightly different path on our way back to the trailhead

An interesting rock along the trail

Tom moved the Can-Am over below this saddle that would lead us to Peak 12002
(It took some coaxing, on our part, to keep Tom from trying this in his Can-Am!)

While there is no "official" trail we were able to pick up a good game trail to follow to the base of the peak

Fresh graupel that fell yesterday

Working our way across an 'easy' slope . . . 12002 straight ahead!

 This weathered Tushar Indian Paintbrush remnant was tucked in between some rocks

It was steep and the wind was very strong, at times . . . 
Kent is sticking with the story that it was wind and not him stumbling! 

Time for a break . . . we can't even see the top, yet!
It's gotta be right up there, right, Tom??

We made it to the top of Peak 12002 . . . better known as Delano-Brigham Ridge Peak!
 What an awesome view looking down into The Pocket 

The wind was whipping . . . Ezy thinks he can smell mountain goats! 

Yep, his nose knows! The Tushar's are famous for Mountain goats

A zoomed in view of some of the goats . . . there were about 35 

Heading down off of 12002 and looking back at the peaks we summitted earlier . . .
What a day it has been . . . our first five peak day!

Wow, still hard to believe we did it!  As always, a big thanks to Tom and his willingness to rehike Peak 12002, so we could complete another summit in the Tushar's.  If you would like a topo map and GPS tracks of our Mt. Brigham hike you can click here and you'll be redirected to Tom's Peakbagger.com post.  For our route and GPS tracks for Peak 12002, you can click here.  Altogether we hiked about four miles and gained about 2,000 ft of total ascent . . . not too bad!

Picking Currants

It was almost a year ago to-the-day when we last visited the Mt. Holly saddle and peered down into the Cottonwood Creek Basin.  On our way into this beautiful valley, we discovered a plethora of currant bushes with ripe berries.  We noted on our calendar that we needed to return the following year to harvest some of these sweet little berries . . . today was that day!

Tom (and his Crew) needed to get some exercise, so they decided to join us on this outing. Of course, that meant we needed to find the "Peakbagger" a peak for his ascent log.  Soon after we started hiking, one caught Tom's eye and we began to formulate a plan - one for picking berries and one for grabbing Peak 11,000.

Kent & Tom discussing our route . . .
We will follow Trail #219, to the saddle, on the right hand side of Mt. Holly

Before long we started seeing currant bushes . . .
 Maybe we won't need to hike into the Basin to harvest berries, after all!

When we reached the saddle we met a mountain goat hunter . . .
 He was watching a herd of goats across the basin

Rather than hiking down into Cottonwood Basin, we opted to hike out the ridge to an unnamed peak

On top of the peak . . . 
Tom and his special girl, Lola, enjoying another hike together!

Kent with his special girl, Allison . . . 
Might have to use this one as our Christmas picture for 2022!

Can you see Ezy?  Is he bashful or what!

Heading back to the saddle . . . the aspens are just starting to change color

Colorful lichen

Back on the trail heading for Peak 11000 

Kent stops to pick a few currants on our way to Peak 11000

If Kent thinks we need to fill this bucket . . . we're in trouble!

Lola & Ezy enjoyed a nice cold drink from Lake Stream before we started our ascent

Mushrooms emerge from the soil right after the monsoon rains       

Lunch with a view . . . up on Peak 11000
(Looking back to the ridge we were on earlier in the morning . . . just to the right of Mt. Holly)

There goes Kent, again . . . pointing towards something??
As usual, Tom was interested, even though he has no idea what he's talking about! 

Two cups of currants is just enough for a small batch of jam!
It's hard to believe that's all we collected, between the three of us, in a half-hour of picking!

After summer's last stand of 110+ degree temperatures, in the St. George area, it sure was refreshing to get away to one of our favorite spots in southern Utah - The Tushar's.  With not a whole lot planned, this turned out to be a great little hike.  It came in at slightly under four-miles and about 1,300 ft of total ascent.  Tom has provided a post from his Peakbagger.com page that details our hike with a top map and downloadable GPS tracks.  You can view it by clicking here.