Circle-All Peak

Circle-All Peak is technically not a true mountain peak.  It doesn't have the 300 feet of elevation rise from the saddle to qualify (clean prominence).  But no matter, it still provides great views in all directions and it felt like we had bagged a peak.  The trail for Circle-All Peak begins at the Butler Fork trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  The trail is quite steep.  The elevation gain is nearly 1600 feet in the 1.75 miles it takes to reach the summit of Circle-All Peak.  About 1/2 mile from the trailhead there is a junction with a small sign, Dog Lake to the right and Mill A Basin straight ahead.  Circle-All Peak is straight ahead on the Mill A Basin trail for another mile and a quarter.  This trail has everything you could want in a mountain trail, a lovely stream to follow, lush vegetation, plenty of trees for shade, open meadows and beautiful wildflowers.  However, the recent summer snow damaged many of the aspens and flattened the mountain bluebells.  Once you reach the ridge the trail divides with the more prominent trail for Mount Raymond and Gobblers Knob heading north to the right and a small foot path heads south to the left for Circle-All Peak.  At this point you are there!  Another hundred yards or so and another 125 feet of elevation and you have arrived.  Breath deep and take in the view!!

The summit of Circle-All Peak

Beautiful view of Kessler Peak

Hiking buddies at the summit of Circle-All

Looking down at Big Cottonwood Road

 

Looking up at Circle-All Peak

Looking toward at the Salt Lake valley

Take this small foot path heading South

Evidence of a lightning strike near top of Circle-All Peak

Lush vegetation!

Aspens damaged by summer snow.  Many branches broken and whole trees snapped.

Lovely wallflower on the top of Circle-All Peak.

 

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 Wildflower of the Week

  

The Sticky Geranium is a very easy wildflower to identify.  They are everywhere in our Wasatch Mountains.  They are called sticky because the glandular hairs on the sepals and leaf stems exude a sticky substance with geranium odor that traps insects.  There is another type of geranium in our mountains that is pure white in color.  Those are called Richardson's Geranium.
  

For myself I hold no preferences among flowers

so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous!"

Ed Abbey

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
Beginning of this Blog
298.9