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!
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| The peaks we plan to hike came into view as we drove up Dry Creek Canyon Road |
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| We arrived at Barney Lake just in time to for the aspen glow illumination |
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| Up on the first ridge . . . Tom was pointing to areas we've hiked in the Tushar Mountains |
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We followed an old road that came to an abrupt end . . .
Apparently, it was used to reach a long ago abandoned mine |
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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 |
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As is customary, we often take a hike to celebrate our anniversary . . . 35 years together!
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| Tom signed our names in the Peak 10920 summit register |
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| From the top of Peak 10920 we could clearly see Mt. Belknap (12,137 ft) in the Tushar's |
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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 |
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| Bushwhacking is never fun either . . . but then again, there isn't always a trail to follow |
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| Once again, Tom signs our names into the summit register on Marysvale Peak (10,761 ft) |
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| This unique Benchmark was placed here in 1919 |
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The bolt was cemented in this rock . . .
Now we hope to locate three Reference stones each marked with a cross |
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| Tom & Kent are searching for one of three Reference Marks |
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| Ezy & Lola wait patiently for Tom to study the RM location coordinates again |
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| Allison was busy finding pretty rocks |
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Tom does not give up easily . . . so now Kent is using his GPS to instruct Tom where to look
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Instead of finding the three RM's . . . we found ladybugs!
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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! |
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| It sure feels like Fall when you walk through the colorful aspens |
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Orange aspen leaves
Extra points will be given if you can find the tiny bee laying on the forest floor |
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| 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.
