Circleville Mtn Loop

After last weeks enjoyable hike to Birch Creek Mountain, we discussed going back and making a loop of areas we hadn’t explored on Circleville Mountain (one of our favorite peaks).  When completed, we would be able to say we had hiked most of the major peaks of the southern Tushar Range.  Early in the week, Tom came up with three options and we all decided #2 would be best for us and the dogs – and so off we went on our seven-mile adventure!

It was a great plan, but a couple of “hiccups” occurred early in the hike that ended up making it more difficult for Kent than he expected.  Namely, he found he was experiencing effects from a Covid shot he got the night before, and then there were the hornet stings, both he and Tom, suffered early in the hike – combined they caused him severe achiness and a “sinking feeling,” with each step, that he wouldn’t complete the hike.  Thankfully, with Tom and Allison’s assistance (and some very slow moving) he was able to make a slightly shortened version of the loop.

We started our hike on the Anderson Meadow Trail #167

Mushrooms started to appear!

This one resembles a pineapple

These almost look like flowers with their unique split petal caps 

Ouch! We had to do a little bushwhacking through some Wild Mountain Currant bushes 

Tom and his dogs, taking a break, and enjoying the views
 

Ezy standing on the ridge that will lead us to the mountain's plateau

The monsoon rains have sprouted varieties of mushrooms we have never seen before!  

Birch Creek Mountain (10,738) towers over Anderson Meadow Reservoir

 It was a nice surprise to come across Fireweed . . . it's something we don't see too often  

Even with a little smoke in the distance we still had great views

There's a lot of volcanic rock on Circleville Mountain . . .
But, oh my, the views are great all along the ridge that falls away to the east!

Pretty Columbine growing along the ridge

The Tushar Mountains are captivating . . . so much to see!

The high peaks of Mt. Baldy (12,122) & Belknap (12,137) could be seen to the north  

The top of Circleville looks flat (that's it in the distance),
but we had a steady incline to reach the summit
Tom made it to the top . . .
Allison waited with Kent, in a meadow, while he rested before we all headed back down

These flowers remind us that summer is waning

Time to head back down off the mountain . . . Kent was more than ready!

We chose the path of least resistance . . .  it was the shortest, but steepest, way down!

2021 will be remembered for mushrooms!

Fly Agaric or Amanita muscaria is probably the most recognizable mushroom

We could see Anderson Meadow Reservoir from the top of Circleville Mountain . . .
 now we have come full circle

Circleville Mountain is a very enjoyable and rewarding hike!  There is no trail, but there are various routes one can take to get to the top.  For the path we took on this hike you can see Tom's Peakbagger.com post by clicking here.  For another route (and certainly the easiest) you can click here and the link will take you to a previous hike he did two years ago.  Both will give you topo maps and GPS tracks.

Circleville Mountain

Our friend, Tom, suggested Circleville Mountain to us several weeks ago.  He said it was a relatively easy hike that followed an old logging road for the first mile and a half. One would then leave the road and make their way up through the forest on a steep but relatively short ascent to open country.  From there he said it would be a nice stroll to the summit and some great views.

We didn't need much convincing that we should give this hike a try as it looked to afford us relief from the blistering hot temperatures around southern Utah.  When we asked Dan and Lorene if they'd like to come along, they were quick to respond with a "What time and where do we meet?"  I guess they were ready to get out of the heat, as well.

Tom's directions were spot on and can be found on his Peakbagger.com entry if you click here.  For our hike the distance was six miles round-trip.

It's a beautiful morning . . . 
temperature in the low 60's . . . and we have a trail!

After about a mile and a half, we left the trail and headed for the ridge 

Once out of the trees we worked our way up this rocky outcropping

Our reward for scaling the volcanic boulders . . . great views!

We came across this triangulation post with wires up on the grassy flats

We were keeping an eye to the sky . . . the clouds were amazing!

Benchmark on the Circleville Mountain marks the high point or summit (11,331 ft)
We have arrived!

The benchmark is in the middle of the wooden triangle

There is also a reference mark on the summit

These survey marks were used in mapping 

The town of Circleville lies in the valley below

Dan & Lorene enjoying a lunch break on top next to an old triangulation tripod
(According to Tom, it is pretty rare to come across a still intact one)

We added our names to the summit register

Even Chipper enjoyed taking a snack break at the top

I spotted these Columbine growing along the summit 

At times, the clouds looked threatening . . . so we decided to head back down the mountain
In the distance (L/R) you can see Mt. Baldy, Mt. Belknap, and Delano Peak . . . 
They are the three highest peaks of the Tushar's

It's Dan's lucky day . . . he found a horseshoe! (Unlucky horse)
A few minutes later he found a quarter!

Heading north back through the rocky section

The forest smelled so fresh and clean

Wild strawberries in bloom

We came across this weather station . . . 
Kent was pointing out our recent hike into Rock Lake

 Fireweed always gets Allison's attention . . . it's so colorful . . .
 Hiking up Circleville Mountain provided lots of color . . . 
great views and good company