Mesa Benchmark

Our initial plan, for Saturday, was to hike and recover the Anderson BM, on the Hurricane Cliffs, north of Toquerville.  However, once we started up the 4WD road (which has degraded considerably since we were last on it), we both agreed it wasn't worth tearing up our truck for and turned around.  Thankfully, we had a good backup plan (and a good road) that lead us southwest of Apple Valley to Little Creek Mesa where we hoped to locate the Mesa BM.  We thoroughly enjoyed the gorgeous Fall afternoon, and the outstanding views, as we hiked atop the mesa rim searching for the Mesa azimuth.

Surprise, surprise!  What do we have here?
When we parked our truck and turned on our GPS it said we had arrived at the 1938 Mesa BM
Well, that was way too easy!  Maybe the azimuth would be more challenging?

So off we went in search of the azimuth
(It's supposed to be .4 of a mile north of the BM and five feet from the rim)

Our truck is parked back at the point that also holds the Mesa BM
Quite the views, huh?

Parts of the mesa rim are separating and falling away

We walked along the rim, for almost a mile, but never found the azimuth
Our guess is that five feet of the rim has collapsed and the disk is probably at the bottom of the mesa

From here we left the rim and headed north for the high point of Little Creek Mountain

There were huge clumps of claret cup cactus

 Juniper trees don't bloom or flower, but modified leaves (bracts) appear to 'bloom' 
The 'flowers' on this female juniper tree caught our attention!

Arizona Skyrocket was still blooming even after a recent snowfall

Mormon tea is made from boiling the dried branches of the Ephedra nevadensis

On the hike out we couldn't help but notice streaks of iron oxide concretions embedded in the sandstone
(Little Creek Mountain HP just turned out to be a numbered point on the mesa rim . . .
Nothing to write home about, but the hike and views made it a worthwhile endeavor!)

On the drive home we enjoyed amazing views of Zion
We, truly, live in a beautiful place!

Although the hike wasn't long (just about four miles r/t), the views from Little Creek Mesa were spectacular and added a nice flair to our outing.  If you're interested in enjoying this hike for yourself you can click here for a topo map (which will help with directions) and GPS tracks from Tom's Peakbagger.com post.  Tom had done this hike a couple of years ago.  Don't miss out on this fun little jaunt that is so close to town that's it's easily "overlooked!"

Bullion Pasture Trail to Alunite Ridge

It's been a dream of ours, over the past four years, to complete a series of trails, that when combined together, would make a loop around the Tushar Mountains at or near tree-line.  The final leg presented us with a challenge, due to the time consuming logistics, involved with the dropping off and retrieving of our vehicles.   But, it all finally came together today, as Tom & Allison started from the Bullion Pasture Trailhead and Kent & Nathan began at the Alunite Ridge Trailhead and both parties met near "The Pocket", exchanged truck keys, then continued on to other's vehicle.  The plan worked like a charm!  Oh yeah, the hike was pretty wonderful, too!

It was definitely a cool October morning, so we weren't too surprised to see a little graupel,
near the trailhead, from a storm that blew through a few weeks earlier

Bullion Pasture opened up before us as we exited a treed section of trail . . .
The sun is warming us up, there's no wind and the skies are a brilliant blue . . . it's going to be a special day!          

We kept an eye out for Mountain Goats in the upper meadows . . .
 Although we didn't see any, the Tushar's are well known for their herds

After hiking the Bullion Pasture Trail for about a mile and a half, we arrived at the trail
junction that will lead us to "The Pocket."  This trail obviously doesn't get a lot of use . . .
but it certainly isn't due to lack of great signage! 

Shortly after beginning this new section of trail, we crossed Pine Creek . . . it was flowing cold & clear

The sun was peeking over the ridge as we traversed a steep section through an unusual forest
What's unusual you ask?  Notice how free the forest floor is of "litter" from vegetation and deadfall

After exiting the forest, it was time to cross some purple rock and begin our approach to The Pocket.
What a beautiful view . . . on a perfect Fall day!

Tom, Ezy and Allison are hoping to meet up with Kent & Nathan within the next hour

Tom is approaching several rock moraines left by a retreating glacier that formed The Pocket

One can only imagine how much snow piles up in basin every winter . . .
One of the unique features, of The Pocket, are the springs at the base of each of the moraines

A panoramic view looking back as we leave this truly special place
(Click on the picture to expand it into a full screen view)

Between the many ascents & descents there was a lot of frost on the foliage

The views have been amazing so far and we still have several miles to go! 

The trail fades in and out, after leaving The Pocket, and heads for the South Fork drainage

What a fun surprise . . . we rarely see elk . . . Tom counted about 15!
(And to think . . . today is opening day for elk season)

A nice 6 point bull elk!
Just stay in these valleys, big guy, and keep away from the nearby roads

We finally made contact with Kent & Nathan, on the walkie talkies . . .
Since they were 45 minutes away,  Tom decided to bag Peak 11416 . . . so off he went!  

While Tom was working his way back down Peak 11416, 
Allison spotted Kent & Nathan making their way slowly up the trail
(In the background, you can see Mt. Brigham . . . in the saddle, to the right, is the Alunite TH where they began and where we will finish)

After enjoying a lunch break and comparing routes, we exchanged truck keys and took a quick group picture before parting ways and continuing on to our separate destinations

Another view of what's to come for each of us
(Click on the picture to get a better look at the dividing point of our hike)

Nathan & Kent are heading for The Pocket

Tom, Allison & Ezy are heading toward the South Creek drainage

We have come 5 miles up to this point . . . 3.5 more miles to go! There's still so much more to see!

We walked down to check out the neat rocks that South Fork Creek has carved  

Not far way was a mine adit

When we reached the first cabin, graupel started to fall, bouncing off the tin roof!    
The cabin was well built and still in great shape for its age . . . still had two stoves and a bed!

More remnants from another old ornate cook stove

Below the cabin, South Fork Creek cascaded into a nice waterfall

The aspens were bright yellow with some bright orange interspersed
(Looking towards Copper Belt Peak . . . another wonderful hike!) 

About a mile down the trail there were three more cabins 

This cabin had dirt piled on the roof . . . maybe it was a sod roof at one time . . .
Probably for insulation?

Ahh . . . The views open up, again, as we begin switchbacks on our final ascent

 Tom is working his way up to the Alunite Ridge Trailhead . . . our destination!
(However, the truck is still a mile down the road on the other side)

Just a little further and we'll be home free! 
What an amazing hike this has been! As the crow flys, it's probably about 4.5 miles from Bullion Pasture to Alunite Ridge. For us it was about 8.5 miles with 2600 ft elevation gain . . . Woohoo!

This hike was everything we hoped it would be!  A special thanks to Tom & Nathan who helped make it possible for us . . . without them it would have been a very long out-and-back hike for us   . . . definitely a lot more fun the way we did it!  Please check out our "Video" tab that has a short five-minute clip that Tom shot with his GoPro . . . it adds another "layer" to our already great hike!  Also, if you'd like to see a topo map and downloadable GPS tracks for this 8.5 mile hike (9 miles for Tom) you can click here and you'll be redirected to Tom's Peakbagger.com post.

Cottonwood Canyon Trail

Fall is our favorite time of year!  So, why not combine two of our favorite Fall things - hiking in the Tushar's and viewing the Fall colors?  With that in mind, we decided to finish another section of the Skyline Trail by hiking a three-mile portion (6-miles out and back) of the Cottonwood Canyon Trail.  Last year, we hiked into Cottonwood Basin from the south using the Lake Stream Trail, but had not completed the northern portion that takes one to the Alunite Trailhead.  It turned out to be a great plan and puts us one more leg closer to completing our circumference of the Tushar Mountains.  Needless to say, but the Fall foliage provided a very nice accent for a great hike!

On our way to the trailhead, we ran into fog near Bear Valley Junction on HWY 89 . . .
Not something you see. in Utah. everyday!

Driving up Cottonwood Creek Road . . . the aspens are changing . . . it looks like we're in for a treat!
(Peak 12002 is on the right . . . we hiked this peak two-weeks ago with Tom)

We parked at Kelsey Creek and walked FS 115 to the trailhead

If it weren't for this sign, we'd never know there was an actual trail here

 Cottonwood Canyon Trail zig zags around the southern base of the Delano-Brigham Ridge . . . 
For the most part, it stays at tree-line and provides spectacular unobstructed views!

This grouse blends in well with his surroundings . . .  he probably thinks we can't see him!

Further up the trail we spotted some deer . . . they kept a wary eye on us!

Mount Holly looks so different from the east side . . .
Three-weeks ago we were hiking and picking currants on the south side

We were surprised to see a few Sierra Larkspur still in bloom so late in the year

We have arrived at Cottonwood Basin . . .
This is where we stopped last year when we hiked the Lake Stream Trail coming from the south
(That's Delano Peak - 12,173 ft - in the very center of the picture) 

This beautiful basin gets it's name from Cottonwood Creek

We found some interesting rocks to sit on while we enjoyed a snack break

We love Fall and the aspens were just about perfect  

Looking back at Mount Holly, as we get near the Alunite trailhead

Although we gained 1,600 ft total ascent over the 3-miles,
for the most part, it was very gradual and didn't seem like that much!

Back on the road and heading to Kelsey Creek where we parked

We had fun exploring the Alunite Mine ruins on our way back out to the main road (FS 126)

The mine was in use from 1915-1930 
Alunite is an ore rich in aluminum & potash (aluminum sulfate)

Remnants of an old mining shack that is being encroached on by aspens

The aspens were so pretty, we decided to follow FS 126 to Marysvale

Almost down off the mountain and just about to come out at Miner's Park . . .
What a great day it has been!

Well, we're one-step closer to finishing our journey around the base of the Tushar Mountains . . . we still have two more sections to complete:  Alunite Trail to the Pocket and the Pipeline Trail.  It probably won't happen this year, but who's in a hurry!  It will mean two more great hikes in these favorite mountains of ours!