A record-setting heatwave has been covering most of the United States, Canada, and Mexico. As I leave the house, it isn't dark, but the sun is at least an hour away from breaking over the mountains.
Read MoreValentine Peak. Parowan - UT, quad
Sitting on the summit of Valentine Peak, looking back along the 2,197 vertical feet of trail, I wondered what had happened to my plan of a two-hour hike.
Read MoreUNP6010. Parowan Gap - UT, quad
At 9:15 am, the temperature was already rising, and I couldn't resist parking on the western side of UNP6010 in the shade. I decided I could do most of the hike in the mountain's shadow, and although steeper with several cliff bands to negotiate, I figured it was worth avoiding the sun.
Read MoreUNP6809 and Booker Mountain. Tonopah - NV, quad
Just north and east of my location are the mountain peaks I climbed yesterday. An extensive ATV trail system is also in the area, and I make the short drive to a semi-staging site and unload the quad.
Read MoreArarat Mountain, Rushton Hill, Mount Oddie, and Mizpah Hill. Tonopah - NV, quad
The view of Tonopah is stunning, rounding a sharp turn that looks directly down onto the town. A lone dog has been barking at me from the hillside neighborhood, and I turn my back on him to keep hiking up the road. Another sharp turn, and I reach the summit.
Read MoreCricket Mountain ATV Trails, Camping, UNP5748, and UNP6180. Red Rock Knoll - UT, quadrangle.
I search the surrounding roads and valleys. No campers, no dust clouds to mark a traveling car. I haven’t seen another hint of humanity for 46-hours.
Read MoreCricket Mountain ATV Trails, Camping, and UNP5797. Red Rock Knoll - UT, quadrangle.
Among the cans, I note a bottle, and to my surprise, a note is in the bottle! My hopes for a treasure map, dashed when I read about someone's cross-country motorcycle trip and camping in this spot sometime in 2020.
Read MoreUNP6851 and Mound Mountain. Dry Willow Peak and Baboon Peak - UT, quadrangles
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.
Read MoreUNP6173 and UNP5740. Topaz Mountain - UT, quad
I drop my pack and take a water bottle when "boom" I hear the first of two 10:00 am blasting that the rock club will be working.
Read MoreBroze Knoll. Lund - UT, quad
I've stopped at Broze Knoll twice already, intending to reach the summit of this non-ranked peak. And twice I've turned away. Today is the day as I make my way down a short connecting trail to a pleasant campsite.
Read More