Guides and Trips
Trips
Good Friday and Easter weekend. This always causes quite an internal debate about where to go hiking. Zion National Park is stunning this time of year, but so are the crowds. The Virgin River gorge is getting warm and with all the road construction I was positive that I-15 would be backed up for miles. I eventually decided to go to the gorge, but to split the difference in half and stop...
My first reaction... "Are we seriously, knowingly entering a canyon with water; in March, with no wetsuits?" Our plans had changed. After recent rains, the Virgin River's flow rate had increased to the point we were concerned about the approach crossing on our way to Portal Canyon. Our team leader is the only one of the group who had done Johnson Arch Canyon and he assured us that we'd be...
Un-der-es-ti-mate: verb; estimate (something) to be smaller or less important than it actually is... underrate, underappreciate, be wrong about...There's not a picture of Kolob Canyons in the dictionary about underestimate; but there should be. I have hiked Kolob Canyons for years and I have yet - to get - any kind of estimate, that is correct, as to time and distance. Today was no exception. I was going to meet my wife,...
Just a short up and down hike to a ranked peak in the Castle Cliff quad. The approach is the longest section of this class 2 moderate hike. Sitting on the southwest side of Tabeau peak, the summit offers impressive views of the shear cliff face of Tabeau peak.
Warm weather once again had me dreaming of powder skiing while packing my sunscreen lotion and hiking poles. Don't get me wrong, but it is the middle of February. Best part about today is... I have all day. No rush to meetings, no appointments, no set time to be home. I gave Peak 5060 a serious look over on my gentle stroll of Peak 4370 a week ago. I had even planned...
This road takes a bit to locate; first take exit #8 for Beaver Dam and follow the Old Hwy-91 north through town and up Utah Hill. A prominent brown sign marking "Mojave Desert Joshua Tree Road Scenic Backway road" indicates the exit and a well maintained dirt road turns right toward Tabeau Peak. This section of the road requires only 2 wheel drive, but if you wish to drive to the summit,...
A last minute weekend trip found me heading south to Las Vegas. I didn't have to be in Las Vegas until after 4:00 pm and the time zone change gave me a few hours hiking as I pass through the Virgin River Gorge. Take exit #8 for Beaver Dam and follow the Old Hwy-91 north through town and up Utah Hill. A prominent brown sign marking "Mojave Desert Joshua Tree Road Scenic...
A weather system high continues to push winter storm patterns to the east, and with it gorgeous blue skies and mild temperatures for hiking and exploring remain. I love the Virgin River Gorge, the extreme rugged nature of the upturned land is a labyrinth of cliff bands and slot canyons. My grandfather used to tell stories of herding sheep through this area on his way to the Las Vegas railroad stations for...
Spent the afternoon doing some route exploration in hopes of finding a scramble route through the high saddle to the summit of Peak 6840-1. The high saddle is reachable, but no scramble route through the cliff face. Any summit of Peak 6840-1 will be a class 5 climb.
Ski Touring - Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah, United States
Cross-country skiing | 3.1 miles
Cross-country skiing | 3.1 miles
Just a brief ski touring trip to test my newly fitted skins. Beautiful day at 10,000'.
"The last storm was a bust - 1 inch storm total in 48 hours." Not exactly the powder alert I was hoping to receive when I went to bed Thursday night. With major storms dumping snow in northern Utah, I was hoping for a little spill-over onto the southern resorts. Nope, nada. However, temperatures are expected to reach 62 degrees in St. George, if you can't beat them, join them sounded like the theme...
The weather is to beautiful to not get out and enjoy it. I knocked off work early, grabbed my pack and headed out the door. I had planned on hiking Pace Knoll, but no matter how early off work I was, driving, checking in at the Zion National Park visitor center, and driving to the end of the short 5 mile loop, took it's toll. By the time I parked and check...
Peak 6396 is peak number two in a series of 3 ranked peaks in a row. Broader, wider and higher than the first peak in the series (Peak 5860), Peak 6396 is approached by continuing to follow fire road 929 to it's end. One of the gullies that the fire road passed through was washed out, so I parked at a nice wide area (fire pit included) and hiked the remaining 1/8...
Peak 5860 is peak number one in a series of 3 ranked peaks in a row. I've had my eye on these peaks for some time now, but didn't quite know how to approach them. Visible from I-15, I would scope out the surrounding area driving by for signs of roads or fence lines. With Christmas over and my family all heading in different directions today, I decided to explore the area...
Peak 2498 - Frenchman Mountain quad
Frenchman Mountain quad, Nevada, United States
Hiking | 2.1 miles
Hiking | 2.1 miles
It's finally starting to warm up. The last 2 weeks have seen below normal temperatures over most the nation, thankfully snow at the higher elevations, but even with the new powder, it's hard to become motivated for skiing with -25 wind chill factors. The bright sun, blue bird sky, and 50 degree warmth is just what the doctor ordered.It's a short day of hiking for me. While my wife attends to her...
After a full morning of racquetball and yet another breakfast I couldn't eat entirely (massive sweet cream pancakes, yum) at the Black Bear Diner, I was going to meet some friends for an afternoon of hiking to Red Mountain, an overlook into Snow Canyon. With some time to kill I visited my favorite hiking/climbing store in St. George area; The Desert Rat. The store has everything you need to hike and climb,...
Short up and back hike to the tallest point in The Guardian Angels quad. The result is instant beautiful views of the Kolob Terrace section of Zion National Park.
"My Best Friend is a person who will give me a canyon I have not done.” ― Abraham Lincoln.Okay, maybe that's not quite how the quote goes, but if Abraham Lincoln had been a canyoneer instead of a Vampire Slayer, I'm sure that's what he would have said, after all I read it on the internet, so it must be true. Gary and Liesl had overnight plans for business on the east side of Zion...
Just a fun backcountry hike with some friends from out of town. We followed the Hepworth - Roof Peak route without climbing the summits. Stunning views from "Lands End Hoodoo" and a perfect day to be in the park.
