Wah Wah Mtns

In late April, Tom invited us to hike Lamerdorf Peak with him and "his crew."  This was the first time we had explored the Wah Wah Mountains and the trip left us with a desire to do some more exploring of this area . . . even though it's a long, dusty road out to them!  So, when Tom said he had a couple of peaks he wanted to do in the Willow Springs area, we didn't hesitate to accept his invitation to come along.  It was a great decision!  We enjoyed the summer monsoon day, along with beautiful views and getting in a quite the workout with a good friend!

Driving up the Lund Highway (a dirt road) we saw Tom pull over to the side of road . . .
What a surprise! Burrowing owls, it looks like they were occupying an old prairie dog burrow

One of the Owlets

We are headed up Rose Spring Canyon
We have driven 65 miles of dirt roads from Tom's home in Enoch . . . we still have six more to go!

These Ponderosa Pines really stood out among the landscape . . .
Supposedly, the world's oldest Ponderosa Pine is located in the Wah Wah's!
(We had been on this stretch of road before, in Tom's Can-Am, and knew how bad the road
could be . . . so we decided to walk the extra mile to our trailhead . . . it was a good decision!)

At the trailhead, we continued to follow a side road . . . the so-called road quickly became steep and rocky . . .
Tom wants to come back and try it on his motorcycle!

A little reprieve as the road leveled out . . . now we can see the peaks we plan to climb

  Peak 9065 is coming into view . . .
 This road will lead us around to the west side where we'll begin our ascent 

It's always fun to see wild horses . . . they are beautiful! 

Looking west from the high plateau, atop the Wah Wah's, and some cool summer clouds

We enjoyed a nice break overlooking this valley before heading up our first Peak

Mat rock-spirea

Leaving Peak 9065, that's 9066 on the left

Keeping our eyes to the sky, as the clouds are beginning to build
This is looking north, towards Pine Grove (center) and the Wah Wah highpoint in the distance

Looking back at Peak 9065

We came across this marker on top of Peak 9066
We have never seen a marker like this before . . . have you?

We didn't spend too much time on top of either peak for good reason!
(I think this time Tom gets what Kent's pointing at!)

Ladybugs!

Axe hewn trees way up here?

Can you imagine cutting down trees with an axe and then, somehow, getting them down off this mountain?  Our guess is that beams were needed for several of the mines that are located in Pine Grove . . . Remnants, of the mines, still remain from the glory days when lead, zinc & silver were mined in the Wah Wah's.  The area was best known for it's most rare and desirable gem - Red Beryl. We need to get over to Pine Grove and do some exploring of these mines . . .watch for a future post!

The headwater of Willow Creek Spring
We have almost come full circle . . . we will follow the road back to our trucks

It's hard to resist water on a hot day and this spring was flowing with cold water right out of the road!

The summer monsoon clouds were brewing . . . 
So thankful, we got down before the lightning and torrential downpours that have frequented these mountains, began!

This hike, while not particularly long (5.6 miles R/T), really gains elevation quickly (approximately 1,300 ft in the first 1.5 miles).  The majority of this (800 ft) coming in a half mile of very steep "road" walking to get on top of the plateau.  Be prepared for some huffing and puffing!  Here's a link to Tom's Peakbagger.com post, from an earlier hike of Peak 9135, that describes in detail, this road.  For a link to today's hike, that will provide you with a topo map and GPS tracks, click here. If you like getting off the beaten path and way, way out there, you might enjoy this hike . . . we certainly did!

Twelve Mile Camp - Day 3

After John & Mary picked us up from our Black Mountain hike, we headed back to Twelve Mile Campground for a much needed rest.  Then it was time for some afternoon fishing before completing our day with a side-by-side ride up Skyline Drive to High Top to watch the sunset.  What a wonderful way to end our three-day Wasatch Plateau adventure - truly an amazing place!  We'll be back!

Arizona Skyrocket

We were curious to see if there were any fish in Twelve Mile Creek
These pools are perfect for Mary and her Tenkara rod

She didn't get any action so she waved her walking stick at the pool!
At least she's a good sport!

Back to camp for snacks and a little time of relaxation

Later we headed back to Blue Lake since the fishing was so fun on Tuesday
(Blue Lake on the right and Henningson Reservoirs in the center)

Kent was having fun watching the Tiger trout chase his grasshopper, but they wouldn't bite

Mary found the perfect place to sit and fish . . . she had so much fun! 

As you can see, she was the winner of the day! John proudly shows off her Tiger trout!

Columbine growing near the lake's edge 

Heading back to camp . . . it was fun watching the clouds build in the afternoons . . .
 Fortunately, we only had one little rain shower during our stay

Allison prepared a 'Thanksgiving' meal for our final dinner . . . yum!

After dinner John & Mary drove us up Skyline Drive to High Top to see the sunset

Wow! Duck Fork is the lake is in the distance where John & Mary fished while we hiked

As our day comes to an end, the sun is setting behind Black Mountain . . .

Twelve hours ago we were beginning our hike up the mountain!

 

Black Mountain

Last year, when we were on top of Mt. Baldy with Tom, we looked north across the drainage at Black Mountain and discussed possibly hiking it "one-of-these-days."  Well, that day was today!  What really added to the enjoyment for this hike was that we were able to make it a "through hike."  John & Mary were gracious enough to drop us off on the east end of the mountain and then pick us up later at a different ending spot.  This allowed us to traverse across the top and come down a side draw that hid a mysterious sounding pond called "The Black Hole."

After breakfast, John & Mary drove us to the east side of Black Mountain where we would begin our hike . . . 
While we were hiking they drove to Duck Fork Reservoir to fish for a few hours

Off we go! We should meet back up on the other side in about four hours

We made our way to the top of the ridge . . .
There was no trail but, thankfully, there were game trails and the bushwhacking was minimal

It's always fun to discover new wildflowers . . . this is King's Flax

Looking to the northeast as we gain elevation

Utah Columbine are unique to subalpine rocky slopes

Up on the first ridge . . . views were amazing!

More fun flowers . . . Mountain Coyote Mint, Ragwort and Paintbrush

Wow!  What a feeling to be standing on the spine of a mountain!

Utah Columbine grow from 2-12 inches tall . . . they covered the slope on the spine

Allison on the other side of the camera for a change!
(She's also on the other side of the spine . . . this is looking back from where we have come)

Wasatch Penstemon

We could see our campground and Mt. Baldy which we hiked last year

Police Car Moth contrasts with this Canada Goldenrod

This is a neat picture that captures three of the peaks we climbed last summer with Tom
Mt. Baldy is on the left, with Peak 11071 (Island Lake Peak) next to Baldy,
and Musinia Peak (Mary's Nipple) to the right

Colorful lichen on the limestone

Wildflower filled meadows covered the plateau/mountain top

We followed this old road across the top and headed for Black Mountain
(The whole plateau is know as Black Mountain, but our GPS labeled
 a specific bump as Black Mountain "proper")

Western Yarrow and Fleabane

We continued up the eastern slope of Black Mountain

From the top we could see the Black Hole, our next stop, on our way down off the mountain

Following a faint game trail, we came to an abrupt cliff edge . . . yikes!

We looked for a better option and started our way down a game trail toward the Black Hole

Half-way down the steep talus slope . . . looking back at Black Mountain (10,743)

The game trail was covered with deer and elk tracks
There were a few springs with water flowing into the pond

We didn't see any sign of fish in the Black Hole . . . just salamanders

Heading towards our rendezvous point . . . Mt. Baldy on the left and Musinia Peak on the right

Back in the aspens, and at the bottom of the ravine, we met up with the road
 that will lead us to John & Mary . . . We have less than a mile to go!

Ah . . . it was so good to see our 'Uber drivers!"

This was a most enjoyable hike!  If walking on the spine of a mountain and enjoying abundant and beautiful wildflowers, along with an alpine cirque that holds a small pond sounds like a fun exploration, then maybe this hike is for you.  Our route came in at about six miles (one-way) with a little over 1,200 ft of total elevation (of which 890 ft was attained on the initial ascent).  If you're in the area, consider this hike that gives you excellent views of the Wasatch Plateau!