Murdock Peak

Patriots Day 9-11-15

Murdock Peak is a 9602 foot mountain peak overlooking and adjacent to The Canyons Ski Resort.  Murdock Peak is located almost right on the border of Salt Lake County and Summit County but outside the Wasatch National Forest boundary.  Our hike begins at the very top of Millcreek Canyon where the road ends into a large parking area.  Here you will find the trailheads for Big Water to the right and Little Water straight ahead. Take the Little Water trail for a short distance until it branches left onto the Old Red Pine Road trail. (This is a short cut, I promise)  IMPORTANT REMINDER  For a more peaceful and enjoyable hike make sure you are hiking on an odd numbered day to avoid the many mountain bikers that zip down these trails on even numbered days. Also this area is only accessible from July 1 until November 1.  Follow the Old Red Pine Road trail as it crosses the bridge and gradually makes its way up to and connects with the Great Western Trail.  After about 2 miles you will arrive at the junction for the Big Water trail which is part of the Great Western trail system.

Arriving at GWT junction

Nice wide trail

Now you have a nice wide trail for approximately one mile until you come to the last junction of the hike which connects this trail to the Wasatch Crest trail.  Along this section of trail you have your first glimpse of the destination - Murdock Peak.

First look at the summit of Murdock Peak

At this huge triangle junction you find trails leading to the Wasatch Crest trail towards Desolation Lake and Mill D in Big Cottonwood and also down towards the Canyons Ski Resort. (Not a very good picture I'm afraid)  This is a ridge that looks down into the Park City area.
 

From this point the really fun bushwhacking begins.  There were several packed down game trails on the left side of the junction so pick one and start bushwhacking up to a higher ridge that will traverse towards the summit of Murdock Peak.  I dislike bushwhacking and avoid it unless absolutely necessary, but this wasn't horrible.  You mainly follow game trails through low-lying shrubs, but be prepared by wearing long hiking pants to avoid scratching up your pretty legs.

There are great views of the surrounding mountains!  Be sure to take time to appreciate the sights.

 

Once you reach this ridge you will come to the fenced ski resort boundary.  Most of the land in this area including Murdock Peak is privately owned.  

Another half mile or so and you will reach the summit of Murdock Peak.  There was a geocache container at the top with a hikers log inside.  Be sure to record your hike and leave some words of wisdom.

                       We climbed Murdock Peak on Patriots Day, 9-11-15.

We chose to take the Big Water then Little Water trail back to the parking area for a hike of about 9.6 miles.  Here is a map!

You might notice that some of the aspens in our area look sick.  There is a complex of fungal leaf diseases causing damage to the aspens.  The leaves turn spotted dark brown and then drop off.  I saw evidence of this at the beginning of the Little Water trail, but higher up near Murdock Peak the aspens were turning the normal beautiful gold.

Fungal disease on the aspen leaves.

 

These aspens are healthy and beautiful.

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Happy Hiking!

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!