Adams Head

Last week, when we were on top of Hancock Peak, we could see an interesting mountain off to the north.  Tom said it was a peak known as Adams Head and was one of his favorite hikes he's done in the last couple of years.  He said there was a maintained ridgeline trail that went to the top and it provided incredible views all along the route.  With a recommendation like that, and the fall leaves changing colors, we quickly made plans to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary with what has become a tradition for us - a hike!

Adams Head (10,426 ft) can be seen off to our west as we drive along FR125

The trailhead is well marked with ample parking for two or three vehicles

An Astragalus!  We've seen a few of these on recent hikes . . . they are so unique 

The trail was well maintained and the views were amazing!

Remnants of the Sandford Wildland Fire . . . 
 78,000 acres burned in 2002

Blue Flax

We stopped for a quick selfie since this is an anniversary hike for us!  

Hunt Creek Trail junction
(We possibly will use this trail to hike Crow Peak sometime in the future)

Wow, not only are the views amazing . . . the fall colors were spectacular!
If there is anything good about a massive fire,
Then it must be the aspens that are some of the first vegetation to return and carpet the land

Adams Head Benchmark 10,426 elevation

We could see the Powell marker on the east end . . . so we went to check it out

John Wesley Powell Survey Cairn (circa 1871-72)
This was built when Powell retraced part of his 1869 expedition of the Grand Canyon

Looking back at some of the cliffs on Adams Head . . . Hancock Peak, 
which we hiked to last week, is one of the distant "bumps" on the ridgeline

Ever wonder what happens to a balloon when you set it free? 
 We picked it up and gave it a proper burial  

Looking north towards Mt. Dutton (11,041 ft) . . . you can drive to the summit

Arizona Skyrocket

Heading back toward the trailhead 

Layers of color

One last view of Adams Head as we work our way back to Johns Valley Road

Tom was right!  This is an amazing hike with beautiful views in all directions.  We can definitely see ourselves doing this one again!  Click here for a link to Tom's Peakbagger.com post and you will find a topo map and GPS tracks for this outstanding trek.  We guarantee you'll love this hike!

Hancock Peak

We didn't have a hike planned for this week, so when Tom called and said, "Would you be interested in doing Hancock Peak with me?" we were in for the adventure.  One thing we really enjoy about hiking with Tom is that he plans great adventures to some of the most unusual and overlooked places - this hike was no exception!

We have been to Panguitch many times, over the years, but have never thought about hiking the mountain range to the east of this little town in the Sevier Valley.  That has changed after doing this most enjoyable loop hike.  One of the things we liked was exploring a new area that we hadn't been to before.  Thanks, Tom, for taking us with you and giving us ideas for several future hikes.

Heading down HWY 89 heading for another adventure

The road to the Hancock Peak trailhead was quite scenic

Hunt Creek was nice and clear . . .
It surprised us to find running water so late in the season

There it is . . . Hancock Peak (9,990 ft) . . . it looks so far away!

Colorful thistles were growing along Hancock Creek

Looking back south (from where we have come) at Peak 9450

Hmmm . . . what was Tom thinking?
This was definitely a bad section of Aspen bushwhacking . . . thankfully, it was a short section!

After making it through the aspens, these daisies were like a ray of sunshine! 

From this point on, the ascent became quite steep . . . 
It gained several hundred feet in a very short distance

We took several breaks along the way, enjoying the views . . .
This, again, is looking back at where we started

It was refreshing to walk among the changing aspens as we neared the top

Ah . . . we're almost there! 

We made it!  The rocky top of Hancock Peak . . .
This is looking east at Powell Point, which can be seen on the distant horizon

We enjoyed our lunch while taking in the great views . . .
Hard to believe an hour earlier we were down in that valley bushwhacking through those aspens! 

We decided to make this a loop hike, rather than an out and back
(We ascended by going up the northeast side and descended coming down the southwest side) 

Now we're talking . . . it should be pretty much downhill all the way!
(This is looking west towards the town of Panguitch that lies in the valley below)

This 20 oz water bottle is dwarfed by this huge mushroom  

Pretty Parry's Bellflower was growing along the trail

Our last view of Hancock Peak
(This is at the junction of Hancock Creek and Carter Creek . . . 
We ascended by using the Hancock Creek drainage and came back down via Carter Creek)

We enjoyed this hike very much and imagine you might, as well.  As is his custom, Tom has allowed us to link to his Peakbagger.com post for details of our route.  By clicking here you will find a topo map and can download his GPS tracks for this seven mile round-trip hike.  It took us about six hours to complete.

Cottonwood Creek

Almost a year to the day (missed it by one day!) we attempted to hike to Cottonwood Creek, but ultimately turned back when we came across elk hunters who had a once-in-a-lifetime permit and were hunting the basin.  Ever since that day Kent has been dreaming of going back and completing this hike.

The day started off pretty stormy and when we reached the Mt. Holly saddle, where we turned around last year, we could see lightning and hear thunder off to the north - the way we were headed.  Then it started to sprinkle and we considered heading back.  Fortunately, we were able to pull up radar on Allison's phone and could see the storm was moving away from us.  Twenty minutes later we made the decision to "go for it" and headed into the basin.  Boy, are we glad we did!  What a beautiful area, complete with a spring coming out of a rock moraine and ripe currants!

Cottonwood Creek flows in the far meadow at the base of the mountains

We contemplated whether we should continue down the trail or not,
 as the storm clouds were brewing all around us

After waiting it out for 20 minutes and watching the clouds we decided to go for it!

Did you know that fir tree cones grow upwards . . .  pine tree cones droop?  Neither did we! 

Chipper enjoyed drinking the fresh, crystal clear spring water
that came flowing out from the bottom of a glacial moraine

We enjoyed the nice 'Flintstone' style chairs that were next to the spring

Someone was very creative, making four nice recliners from the moraine boulders

Chipper really likes his backpack!

Yabba Dabba Doo!

The wild currants were ripe & plentiful

Kent had fun picking lots of currants and popping them in his mouth

Just a little further down the trail from the spring was Cottonwood Creek

The storm broke up and it turned out to be a beautiful day

Heading back up the steep section to the Mt. Holly saddle

Looking back at the trail we traveled to Cottonwood Creek 

The final push to the top

Once again, the clouds started to build as we reached the top of the ridge

The sky looked threatening . . .
We had about a mile to get back to the trailhead and our vehicle . . .
Fortunately, we made it without getting wet!