Bagging Grandeur Peak

There is nothing quite like sitting on top of a mountain peak.  Really great views in all directions.  You feel like you are on top of the world, "looking down on creation" (70s song by the Carpenters). Any whoooo - to qualify as a true mountain peak, the summit must have 300 feet or more of clean prominence.  A basic definition of prominence is "the elevation rise of the peak from the highest connecting saddle of another higher peak".  There are 77 such peaks to climb right here in the Wasatch.  It's called Peak Bagging.  Check out this link if you want more info. and to look at the peak list.
http://www.feedthehabit.com/outdoors/peak-bagging-in-the-wasatch-the-core-77-peak-list/

Grandeur Peak

8299 Feet

Grandeur Peak is one of the easiest and most accessible of the major peaks overlooking the Salt Lake Valley.  The trail begins from the Church Fork picnic area about 3 miles up Millcreek Canyon.   There are only about 8 parking spots at the trailhead so get an early start if you plan to climb this one on the weekend.  The hike is 5.5 miles (give or take) and the elevation gain is 2,387 (give or take).  It took us 2 hours 10 minutes to reach the top and 1 hour 20 minutes down.

Martha and I at the very tippy top of Grandeur Peak with Mount Olympus in the background.  Another hiker was kind enough to take our picture ☻ ☻ two peak bagging grandmas.  We picked the perfect day to hike (Thursday afternoon May 30) with cloud cover and cooler temperatures. Most of this trail is exposed so a hot summer afternoon would NOT be a good time to climb this one. 

The mountain was so lush and green after the rain this week.

Looking down on Salt Lake City with Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake in the distance.

Looking east at Gobblers Knob, 10,246 feet and Mount Raymond 10,241 feet.

                     Looking at the north face of Mount Olympus.

You can also see Parley's Canyon and Mountain Dell reservoir towards the northeast.

 

More of the journey to the top!

"For myself I hold no preferences

among flowers so long as they are

wild, free, spontaneous!" Ed Abbey 

 Wildflower of the Week

 

This bright wildflower covering the hillside of Grandeur Peak is a Western Larkspur.  It is very pretty, but is poisonous to livestock. My dad taught me about Larkspur many years ago.

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CraZy Hiker Chicks Top 10 Reasons to Hike

#10 Hiking is an excellent cure for boredom.

#9 Hiking will strengthen your legs.  You may even notice calf muscles.

#8 On hiking trails you meet the most friendly people.  And even friendlier dogs. 

#7 Winter hiking allows you to escape the inversion in the valley and breathe CLEAN, FRESH AIR! 

#6 Hiking relieves stress, worry and anxiety - GUARANTEED!

#5 If you are lucky you will see a variety of wildlife on your hike.  Keep your eyes open!  And look around!

#4 Hiking will improve balance, coordination and bone density because you are walking on very uneven surfaces.

#3  Hiking increases feelings of well-being and lowers depression. 

#2  Hiking gives a greater appreciation for the beauty of our natural world.

#1 Hike for the pure pleasure of it!  John Muir said it best "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."

Peaks Bagged

 1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299

******Miles hiked tally     

beginning March 22, 2013

59.1