Bald Mountain - High Unitas

Summit of Bald Mountain

Bald Mountain in the High Unita wilderness is the highest elevation peak I have ever climbed in Utah so far.  A towering 11,943 foot summit!  And it is one of the easiest peaks I have ever climbed.  Inexperienced hikers and younger children can make this climb - no problem!  The views from atop Bald Mountain are spectacular!  The Unita mountains are well known for the hundreds of small lakes scattered all over the area and you get a great view of many lakes from the summit of Bald Mountain - in every direction!  I highly recommend this hike even though it is an hour plus drive from Salt Lake City.  I did notice the air a bit thinner at this high elevation especially on the climb up.  It is normal to have a little trouble catching your breath, but it is important to be aware of the more serious signs of altitude sickness such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.  Another note of warning, afternoon thunderstorms with lightning are very common in the High Unita mountains so plan your hike accordingly and turn around and head back to your car quickly if a storm brews while you are hiking.  The trail for Bald Mountain is really enjoyable.  It is 1.5 miles to the summit (although the trail sign says 2 miles) with an elevation gain of 1,180 feet.  The trail cuts through natural ledges in the rocks and small stands of subalpine firs.  Breathe in the fragrant scent of these firs.  There is one false summit before you tackle the rocky staircase to the true summit.  The summit of Bald Mountain is flat with awesome unobstructed panorama views of the surrounding mountain peaks and valley lakes.  MUY MAGNIFICO!!

Beginning of the Bald Mountain trail.

It's really only 1.5 miles to summit.

Trail begins climbing right away.

First view of Notch Mountain and lakes to the west.

More climbing! UP UP UP!

Reids Peak

Not many trees on this hike so enjoy these fragrant pines!

The trail follows natural rock ledges.

False summit

Hayden Peak

Cliffs looking up at the summit

Dog friendly trail, but remember there is no poop fairy!

Land of many lakes.

Looking down on Mirror Lake to the northeast.

Final staircase climb to the summit of Bald Mountain

At the top of Bald Mountain with Hayden Peak and others in the background.

A cairn on the very edge of the cliff.

Found a Geocache.

Heading down after a nice picnic at the top.

Wildflowers still in bloom include Unita groundsel, asters, and roundleaf harebells.

I'm assuming everyone knows how to find Kamas, Utah.  From Kamas turn right on Center Street which is Utah Highway 150 also know as the Mirror Lake Highway.  Continue 29 miles on UT 150 to the Bald Mountain trailhead where you will find a large parking area on the left.  Here you will also find the trailhead for Notch Mountain, a much longer hike.  If you get to Mirror Lake, you have gone too far.  Here's a small map of the area.

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Enjoy!  And Happy Hiking!!

Beartrap Fork Trail

Beartrap Fork trail is probably the least hiked trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon for a couple of reasons. 1) The trailhead is not marked at all and is challenging to find. 2) The trail begins on private land so access is limited.  The good news is if you like solitude while hiking you will most likely have plenty on this trail. The trailhead for Beartrap Fork is located about 10.7 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on the north side of the road across from the Pine Tree cabin area. (I've included a map)  There isn't parking for this trailhead other than the side of the road.  Look for a large metal gate with a watershed protection sign posted and you will know you are in the right place to begin hiking.  The trail, once you find it is easy to follow and in good condition as it steadily climbs up the Beartrap Fork drainage.  No water to be found this time of year in the stream bed, but plenty of foliage hugs the trail most notably Engelmann's Asters, Groundsel, Showy Daisys and Western Coneflowers.  I especially loved walking through very healthy stands of aspens which will be spectacular this fall when the leaves change to gold.  After almost 2 miles of hiking the trail opens into a large meadow filled with pretty Showy Goldeneyes.  Here you will have a nice photo op of mountain vistas to the south before the final push up a fairly steep hillside.  At 2.2 miles the Beartrap Fork trail intersects with the ever popular Wasatch Crest mountain bike trail which is part of the Great Western Trail system.  Following the Wasatch Crest trail to the right another 1/2 mile brings you to the "spine" where you have awesome views of Desolation Lake in one direction and the Canyons ski resort in the other.  We thought we would have a great view of Desolation Lake if we climbed a small knoll to the left of the trail junction.  OOPS! A view yes, but not the greatest.  Overall Beartrap Fork is a great trail worthy of a hike.  We covered about 5.2 miles with an elevation gain of 2,118 feet.  Here are pictures and a map.

Trail entrance

Makeshift bridge. No water this time of year.

Lush mountain plants including Engelmann's Aster, Monkshood and Paintbrush.

Encountered one huge obstacle across the trail.

Beautiful aspens

The only other person on the trail was a lone mountain biker.  Not a good trail for bikes.

Serene meadow just before steep stuff.

More wildflowers - Showy goldeneye, groundsel, paintbrush and showy daisy.

Hillside filled with beautiful aspens and showy goldeneyes.

Mountain vistas to the south.

Two trails converge.

Small plane flying very low overhead.

Desolation Lake from high above.

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Happy Hiking!

Gobblers Knob

Gobblers Knob (10,246) is the highest peak on the ridge between Big Cottonwood Canyon to the south and Millcreek Canyon to the north.  What a silly name for a mountain peak!  I found that Gobblers Knob got it's name from the noise made by a flock of turkeys that were once kept by miners living in the area.  Silly name but a serious peak to conquer. The Japanese are fond of saying "There is more than one path to the top of Mount Fuji" and so it is with Gobblers Knob - at least four different paths/trails.  You can climb Gobblers Knob from dog friendly Millcreek Canyon via Alexander Basin (shortest route, but also the steepest) and from the Bowman Fork trail (longest route but still really steep).  Or you have the Big Cottonwood Canyon options via Mill B North Fork (really, really long distance, but still steep) and the Butler Fork trail (reasonable distance and not quite as steep as the other routes).  All routes have an elevation gain of over 3000 feet and all four trails converge at Baker Pass (9,320).  We choose the Butler Fork trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  The Butler Fork trailhead is found about 8.2 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on the north side of the road.  The trail is covered with abundant plant life. It's a jungle at times!!

The Butler Fork trail makes a substantial climb right away up a steep sided gulch.  After 1/2 mile you will come to a junction with the trail to Dog Lake to the right.  Continue forward into Mill A Basin and soon the trail begins to switchback up through an aspen covered slope to a distinct ridge crest.  At 1 1/2 miles into the hike you will reach the faint trail to the left for Circle All Peak (8707).  If you are short on time Circle All Peak makes a great destination and a hike of just over 3 miles roundtrip.  Our trail heads to the right along the ridge and soon you will come to another junction which is the Desolation trail.  Choose the trail to the left.  As you cross Mill A Basin the elevation gain is less making a nice stroll all the way to Bakers Pass.  At Bakers Pass your options become Mount Raymond to the west at 10,241 or Gobblers Knob to the east 10,246.  We will be back to climb Mount Raymond next year.

Wildflowers at Bakers Pass

On to Gobblers Knob.  The frustrating thing about Gobblers Knob is there are several false summits that trick you into thinking you have reached your destination. Just keep trekking, you will get to the summit eventually.

First false peak

Another false peak

 Keep Climbing!

At the top of Gobblers Knob

Here's proof!

Here are some of the best views!

Broads Fork Twin Peaks and Dromedary

Great Salt Lake and Grandeur Peak

Mount Raymond

According to our GPS the hike to Gobblers Knob was 9 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 3166.  Not a bad days work/play!

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Majestic Trail to Clayton Peak

Summit of Clayton Peak (10,721)

The Majestic trail to Clayton Peak (elevation 10,721) traverses through the heart of Brighton Ski Resort.  Surprisingly, the majority of the trail is a very scenic path through a mature forest of spruce and only occasionally pops out to pass under a couple of ski lifts.  Clayton Peak is one of the easier peaks in the Wasatch mountains to summit providing exceptional views of the surrounding mountain peaks and beautiful green valleys.  To the southwest you have a spectacular view of Timpanogos, to the east lies Heber Valley with views down into Wasatch State Park golf course, and to the west are perfect views of all the mountain peaks that make up Big and Little Cottonwood canyons.  I couldn't choose a favorite view.  The hike begins by following the trail to Lake Mary from the Brighton ski resort parking area.  After 1/2 mile you will reach a junction with the trail for Lake Mary on the right and another 500 feet to Dog Lake on the left.  Head towards Dog Lake and you will soon find the small trail sign for Clayton Peak and you are on your way.  The trail is very easy to follow all the way to Snake Creek Pass.

Mountains of snow left over from the ski season.

Split rock is a fun landmark along the trail.

Snake Creek Pass

At Snake Creek Pass (elevation 10,040) we get our first view of Mount Timpanogos in all her glory.  Spend time enjoying this view, it is a great photo op.  From this point the trail to Clayton Peak follows the service road to the left.  This service road was very easy walking.  Most descriptions of the trail say that you follow this road for about 1/4 of a mile before finding the faint trail to the right which climbs to the summit of Clayton Peak.  Here is where the steep stuff begins, but you must persevere!  In just a short while you will be at the top!

Ski boundary.

Beautiful views of Mount Timpanogos

Our destination - Clayton Peak

Following the service road.

 Climbing Clayton

As the climb gets steeper I tend to take more rest stops which gives me an opportunity to take more pictures.  It is a boulder climb to the top, but the trail is visible.  The most prevalent wildflower on this mountain trail was a lovely, bright carpet phlox or also called moss phlox which in some spots covered entire small rocks.  We also came across a very old sleeping cot and an unopened can of potato flakes.  Someone tried setting up camp on the rocky ledges of Clayton Peak??? Strange!!  I'm usually very good at removing trash from the trail, but this was a little much for me to carry out. 

Carpet or Moss Phlox

Camping supplies??

A fellow hiker enjoying the view on summit.

Summit at 10,721 Feet

As I mentioned before the views from the summit of Clayton Peak make the work to get there worth every step.  We enjoyed a nice snack at the top and even shared a couple of nuts with the resident chipmunk.  There were also dozens of butterflies floating about.  Pictured below is my friend Martha as she makes the last boulder hop to the summit, birds-eye view of pretty Lackawaxen Lake, awesome view of American Fork Twin Peaks (11,489) with the Snowbird tram and the view of Mount Superior (11,132).

As we started down from the summit I noticed a Dream Catcher in one of the pines.  It is my dream that this wonderful wilderness we call Wasatch can be preserved for many future generations to enjoy.  

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Unfortunately, hiking through a ski resort area tends to be littered with a lot of trash.  I pick up what I can.  However, there is a wonderful organization that provides volunteer opportunities to clean up trails, restore damaged trails and remove invasive weeds.  It is the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation and on July 11, 2015 they are doing a mountain clean-up within the Alta ski area from 8:00 am until noon.  You will ride the ski lift up and help gather winter trash as you hike down beautiful Albion Basin.  Get Involved.  For more information check out this website: http://cottonwoodcanyons.org