I find a bare patch of ground to park my jeep, to avoid having the dry grass in prolonged contact with the hot parts of the vehicle. Picking up an extra water bottle, I hike the ridgeline to the summit. The air is still fresh in spite of my delay, but today is expected to warm to 90 degrees, and it won’t stay fresh for long.
Read MoreDry Willow Peak, Baboon Peak, Peak 7249, and Peak 7460 - Dry Willow Peak and Baboon Peak - UT, quads
As stunning as the view is the most remarkable image is the rolling hills of brown grass. It was an extremely wet spring and tall green grass was evident everywhere, now at the end of the dry, hot summer months, the tall brown grass is somewhat scary to look at with such a high fire danger present.
Read MorePeaks 7284 and 7195 - Silver Peak - UT, quad
The climb is deceptive and I work between rock and dirt, between trees and small cliff bands. The summit ridge is a lava backbone with absolutely stunning views in all directions
Read MoreAntelope Peak - Antelope Peak - UT, quad
The lower hillside is covered in scree from the deterioration of the large rocky outcroppings near the summit. I follow a few well-worn game trails and switchback my way up to the high cliff bands. I am on the northern side of a larger wash, but I can see dozens of windows, alcoves, and arches in the rocky face across from me.
Read MoreUnnamed Peak 6371 - Antelope Peak - UT, quad
The ridgeline ends abruptly at a rocky face. The views along the southern and western ridges are stunning as the rock cuts a jagged edge along the horizon. I catch movement below me and I watch mesmerized as a bald eagle floats on currents along the base of the ridge, about halfway between myself and the ground floor.
Read MoreThree Peaks East, Middle and West - Avon SE - UT and Antelope Peak - UT, quads
I perform my ritual of hiking back and forth to locate the GPS summit and the actual high point. I don’t bother looking to close at these beautiful summit cairns for any geocache markers but I am sure that is what they represent. A booming thunder clap causes me to turn east as the looming dark cloud bursts the skyline with rain.
Read MoreThe Bald Hills South - The Three Peaks - UT, quad
I take a moment to appreciate the raw beauty of the area. I probably won’t be back along this way. This is the eighth and final peak listed in The Three Peaks - UT quadrangle and with 177/213 remaining peaks to climb in Iron County alone I’ll be moving along.
Read MoreThree Peaks North and South Summits - The Three Peaks - UT quad
Of the 8 peaks that make up the quadrangle, this will be my final climb in the Three Peaks Recreation Area proper with these short but fun ascents of the North and South Summits. Both are non-ranked and carry rises below 300’.
Read MoreMore than anything, what goal do you want to accomplish next?
Read MoreSep 18, 2013 7:45 AM: This is a great question, as I looked at my goals, I have to admit, they weren't very inspiring
Rockhounding for Thompson Agate - Near Crescent Junction (Moab, UT)
This is a beautiful section of the country. Sitting at the northern tip of Arches National Park, I would later review a map to determine this is certainly a location I want to return to. Not for the agate, but because we were just a couple miles from several amazing arches and bridges that reside in the park.
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