I bump into the group a couple more times hiking back along the trail, but I linger in the shaded areas to drink more water, reluctant to leave, and wanting to completely fill up my cup of experience.
Read MoreFivemile Mountain and UNP 5691
Twice more I would circle the jeep to verify lines and direction. I am cautious of getting too close to the edge after all the rain, the edges are bound to be soft and crumble easy. With my 6 point turn complete, I head back down the mountain.
Read MoreGrand Parade Trail - Kodachrome Basin State Park
The trail hikes up and through the wash toward the box canyon and I marvel at the surrounding beauty in the morning sun.
Read MoreShakespeare Arch/Sentinel Trail - Kodachrome Basin, UT
A large swath of sagebrush, hundreds of feet wide, have debris among their branches. It's easy to spot the path the water took on its descent down the barren hillside and I'm glad I missed the show.
Read MoreNorthgate Peak East - The Guardian Angels quad
This simple scramble up Northgate Peak East has never failed to put things into perspective as I gaze out over the red and white Navajo Sandstone that is Zion National Park.
Read MoreGreat Basin - A camping experience Day 2
I am thrilled with the prospects of exploring an underground cavern such as this. I then look down at the cement walkway beneath my feet, the hidden cables and lights, and I realize this would be a totally different experience if one were actually exploring this realm for the first time
Read MoreGreat Basin - A camping experience Day 1
It's not a long drive, nor is it a particularly hard drive. For the most part it is empty and beautiful.
Read MoreUnnamed peak 6783 - Frisco SW - UT quad
I continue to skirt the sub peak having now encircled half the mountain cutting across lava flows and finally reaching the correct saddle.
Read MoreBell Canyon & Little Wild Horse Canyon loop
As we emerge from the tight confines we hike back to the trailhead. There is almost a reverence as we finish this amazing journey. Having completed the entire loop the parking lot is almost empty of cars as those who stopped to "take a look" have moved on to other sources of enjoyment.
Read MoreUnnamed peak 6180 - Temple Mountain - UT quad
It is a paradox that Uranium was mined on Temple Mountain near Goblin Valley and used in the Manhattan Project. As I set my sights on the summit I recognize the hard climbing is over, but the route finding has just begun.
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