Two peaks, two quadrangles. I've driven by both peaks several times on my way to either other peaks or as exploratory to climbing the mountains. Both are what I would call stand-alone peaks. Easy to get to, relatively short hikes, and close to home. The first of which UNP6851 sits just off of UT-130 between Cedar City and Minersville, UT. Every time I pass this way, I think about stopping and climbing it. Twice I've stopped, and once I followed the ATV track, which circles the mountain looking for any better access trail.

Today, however, is the day. I am driving toward UNP6851 with a specific intention of climbing the mountain. It is a spectacular day, and I'm well aware that I say that often in these trip reports, and the simple explanation is that I stay home when the weather isn't good. Today is exceptionally nice after two horrific days of wind. This past Thursday and Friday were windy, Saturday I had a business meeting, and Sunday, I like to relax. Monday was a workday, so here I am Tuesday morning, and I am excited about getting out and enjoying the sunshine.

UNP6851 is nondescript. It is a sprawling, vast volcanic mountain that sits west of UT-130. I pull off the road near the base of the peak. A wide swath of sagebrush greets me as I step out the door. The rise sits among Juniper trees as I consider just hiking up the wash and then climbing the steeper section to the peak. The wash turns out to be rocky with thick Juniper trees, which I'm sure to clamor for the water the creek provides in this desert environment.

Moving right, I angle toward a ridgeline as I work to the summit. The top is rounded with reasonably good views through the trees. As I circle the peak looking for the coordinates that will mark the high point, I find one of the most prominent summit cairns I have ever seen. Stacked lava rock reaches a height of well over five feet. I stopped to eat a snack, it was still early, and the hike was shorter than I thought. The total peaks listed in the Dry Willow Peak - UT, quadrangle by listsofjohn.com; UNP6851 was my final peak to climb. I'm excited to check this peak off the list.

I wander the back roads to Mound Mountain. The sheep are gone, already being trucked to higher, greener pastures. The roads are in good condition, with a recent grading taking the winter ruts away. The last time I passed through this way, I created a few grooves myself, with the wet clay roads turning slick with moisture. The county fire road passes through private land, and No Trespassing signs mark the boundary. I'm not sure how a section of land surrounded by public and school lands turned personal, but I honor the No Trespassing signs and stay to the main road.

Mound Mountain is a rolling series of hills, combining to form a maze of ridgelines and deep gullies. I've viewed the TOPO several times, debating the best approach to the top. I've oped for a series of ridgelines starting just beyond the private property line as I look for a place in the road to park the Fj.

This area suffered a wildfire a couple of years ago, and it is apparent that the land has been chained and reseeded with wild grasses; the hillside is green and beautiful. I zig-zag up the first hillside connecting with the ridgeline; from there, it is a matter of connecting the dots from one ridge to another, from one saddle to the next. Soon a rocky cap with burned juniper trees comes into view, and I angle my approach from the final saddle to the top. I have seen three pronghorns and other wildlife; the reseeding has brought back nature in a beautiful way.