I finally started a new map today; I wish I could say it was due to my ambitious nature; however, I wanted somewhere to go hiking today, and I didn't want to drive a great distance.

I've driven the shortcut from New Castle to Enterprise dozens of times over the past couple of years, and at the bend in the road is a wooden sign directing traffic toward a Spanish Trail Memorial Marker. The marker is down an unmaintained dirt road, and I've often thought I would like to visit the site and find out who had passed this way before there were shortcuts and highways.

In my map development, I always start with mountain summits. Peak bagging is one of my greatest passions, and I like to start hiking and driving through a new area with an initial intent to climb to the top of a mountain peak. The quadrangle is listed as Pinto - UT, and I was surprised to find so few peaks listed along the mountain range between UT-56 and the maintained forest road known as NF-009.

I finally found one summit that hopefully will fulfill my purpose for today. Resting near the end of ATV/OHV trail 30741 is the unnamed peak 6970. I check the stores in my backpack, texting Linda; I let her know the general location where I'll be heading and walk out the door.

My stomach grumbles as I climb into the jeep and drive toward UT-56. I didn't realize it was getting so late in the morning; already after 11:00, I decided to reverse the order in which I had planned to approach peak 6970 today, starting first with a burger and fries at Marv's in Enterprise and then driving south to find the road to Pinto, UT, and NF-009.

The burgers and fries are always great at Marv's, and all too quickly, my tray is empty. Back in the jeep, I turn right onto UT-18 and then NF-009. The maintained gravel road cuts through the small valley at the base of the mountain ranges, and No Trespassing markers are abundant on both sides of the road. I slow down to keep my dust to a minimum; however, no farmhouse is present, and I pass from private property back onto public land. There's a love-hate relationship between private and public land in Utah; however, that is probably a debate for another time, and I follow the winding road to what I assume is Pinto, UT.

No city sign is present; however, a few houses cluster around a small stream identified on my map as Pinto Creek. Straight out of a Rockwell painting, the romantic town clusters around a few blocks, complete with a boy and his fishing pole. This boy is riding a 4-wheel ATV with his fishing pole locked onto the front as he parks by the stream and puts the quad in parking.

Pinto Canyon is a beautiful drive up a narrow valley, just wide enough to host the occasional field and barn. The canyon eventually widens into the more extensive valley, and I spot the turn-off for trail 30741. I don't know what to expect from the trail; however, I am surprised by how well-maintained the road is as I drive up the hillside. The smooth gravel road soon ends at an abandoned rock quarry, and the trail becomes what I expected it to be in the first place, a backcountry ATV/OHV track of loose rock and dirt.

Path 30741 spends most of the time in a stream bed; the soft sand like gravel makes the driving fun as the trail loops and bends around trees and rock outcropping, following the wash until it becomes too narrow to continue. The way then cuts into the adjacent hillside following the ridgeline, and soon I am parking the Fj near the base of Peak 6970 on a broad saddle that would be perfect for camping or watching the sunset on the western horizon.

The ascent is steep but straightforward as I hike back along the road, picking up the ridgeline on the northwestern face. The majority of peaks in this area are volcanic, and rocky outcroppings exist along the way, making the trail a 2+ climb to the elongated summit. I wander along the summit peak, trying to locate any summit cairn and find the coordinates I have listed on the GPS. Unfortunately, the coordinates are way off the high point of the hill, so I back track and built a small cairn at what I consider the summit. The view is a stunning look west toward the farms and fields near Enterprise, and I sip water and eat a small snack while I enjoy the variety of colors.

This mountain range, part of the Dixie National Forest, has incredible geographic diversity. As I look across the mountains below me, I spot red rock mixed with gray lava fields. I'm looking forward to hiking, climbing, and ATV riding in the area in the days and probably years to come.

Written September 18, 2022