free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
After a long spell of unseasonably cold and wet weather, our options for hiking (without snowshoes) around northern Utah were becoming very limited. So we decided to head out to the west desert and conquer a peak that I have heard about my entire life from my father. Even on a busy holiday weekend here in the states, in this part of the country, you rarely have to share a trail.
Notch Peak, standing at 2,943 meters above sea level, is part of the House Range of mountains in the high central west deserts of Utah. It is the second highest pure vertical drop in the United states after El Capitan, with an overall summit rise of 1,356 meters from the surrounding valley floor. Obviously, to stand at the summit and look over the edge is a rush, to say the least. In fact, I was overcome with a feeling of trespassing...like I wasn't meant to be there.
It's definitely worth the hike for the heart-stopping cliff views, BUT...the magnificent canyon on the way up is just as amazing! Nevertheless, here's how it all went down...
The hike basically follows a drainage canyon, or wash, all the way up. It begins as a fairly large wide open area and slowly narrows to the top.
Beautiful tall walls of weathered carbonate rock surround the trail as the canyon begins to narrow and climb.
Gnarly old Cedar trees grow in every direction.
As the trail begins to turn into a bouldering route, you run into this HUGE Poderosa Pine tree that broke and fell many years ago. (my dad hiked here over 40 years ago and the tree had already broken) Still a bit of snow around as well.
Is this the trail??? Yes, yes it is...
Keep on going...
and going...
Stop for a breather...
Almost to the false peak...
With the lasts 1000 feet or so in in sight (and amazing views of their own right), we decide to walk the ridge line and take a few photo opportunities.
Lunch first, and then on to the summit...that's the peak there.
Are we there yet?
Wooowhoo!!! SPOT message to the family!
That's looking almost one mile to the ground folks!!! Pictures really don't do it justice. (note: those are not MY feet dangling precariously off the edge. Nope, no sir...I leave the scary photo taking to my man!)
A wonderful day, most definitely! After hiking back down to the truck, we drove about 40 miles the south to camp for the next 3 days at another amazing area (Crystal Peak). Unfortunately, the strange weather followed us to the desert. We woke up the next morning to find 3 inches of snow on the ground and a solid 24 hours of constant precipitation. But the sun came out just in time for us to leave the following morning AND, best of all, get some pretty great pics of the west side of Notch Peak on our way home...
The southern view of Notch Peak covered in snow about 30 miles away.
And finally, the west side of Notch Peak.(Notch is on the left side) Weird to think of yourself standing on the top!
