Story:
8.5 mi. (4.2 mi. to summit). 8 hrs. Hiked to squaw peak from rock canyon park. Then hiked around trying to find a way to get up to squaw peak parking lot (pretty far away- another mountain, pretty much). Wasn't able to do it so went straight down once it started to get dark. Search and rescue (the sheriff) was little help even after I sent him my gps coordinates. Just slowed us down.
While on the hike saw deer. Saw a cabbage type veggy that I chewed and then spit out. mouth started to go a little numb. i got a sore throat the next day. it was weirder than a sore throat, though. anything cold (e.g. water or cold cereal) hurt very bad to swallow. then once my throat got somewhat used to it (or the coolness numbed my throat) it didn't hurt as bad. kind of scary. good thing i didn't swallow it! it was tasty, tho'.
Climbed down a cool cave. Looked up the west blue flax flower from my guide book. Saw strange networks of branches/mole holes that turned out to be just dirt! Heard a deep sound comparable to wings flapping underground! Have NO idea what it could be!!!!!! Seriously LOUD AND BASSY! WTF? At top of squaw peak was amazed at our 360 mountain view (not mountain dew). Scary. So scary. Why have we evolved to tremble from the fear of a possible vertical collision (heights) but not from fear of horizontal collisions of the same speed and impact force (driving past other cars going in opposite directions). Duh. Figure it out yet? :)
Hard but rewarding day with my brother. Legs are like jello now. Don't know how I'll be moving couches tomorrow (i'm moving from an apt to a house). I predict I'll be bed-ridden but will have to get moving anyways.
8.5 mi. (4.2 mi. to summit). 8 hrs. Hiked to squaw peak from rock canyon park. Then hiked around trying to find a way to get up to squaw peak parking lot (pretty far away- another mountain, pretty much). Wasn't able to do it so went straight down once it started to get dark. Search and rescue (the sheriff) was little help even after I sent him my gps coordinates. Just slowed us down.
While on the hike saw deer. Saw a cabbage type veggy that I chewed and then spit out. mouth started to go a little numb. i got a sore throat the next day. it was weirder than a sore throat, though. anything cold (e.g. water or cold cereal) hurt very bad to swallow. then once my throat got somewhat used to it (or the coolness numbed my throat) it didn't hurt as bad. kind of scary. good thing i didn't swallow it! it was tasty, tho'.
Climbed down a cool cave. Looked up the west blue flax flower from my guide book. Saw strange networks of branches/mole holes that turned out to be just dirt! Heard a deep sound comparable to wings flapping underground! Have NO idea what it could be!!!!!! Seriously LOUD AND BASSY! WTF? At top of squaw peak was amazed at our 360 mountain view (not mountain dew). Scary. So scary. Why have we evolved to tremble from the fear of a possible vertical collision (heights) but not from fear of horizontal collisions of the same speed and impact force (driving past other cars going in opposite directions). Duh. Figure it out yet? :)
Hard but rewarding day with my brother. Legs are like jello now. Don't know how I'll be moving couches tomorrow (i'm moving from an apt to a house). I predict I'll be bed-ridden but will have to get moving anyways.
Tips:
Do not follow the second half of this hike. We only followed a trail from Rock Canyon Park to the summit, from the summit down was "off the beaten path."
TO TRAILHEAD: Take I-15 S to Provo (Center St. exit). Head E on Center St.; in 2 mi., turn L onto 900 E. Go 1.8 mi. and turn R onto Temple View Dr. In .5 mi., turn R onto E 2300 N; follow .4 mi. to parking lot.
Point Name:
SQM002:
Stick to the middle trail; numerous side trails intersect path
Location:
40.26483°, -111.62650°
Point Name:
SQM003:
Look closely: Rock climbers grip up the rugged limestone and quartzite canyon walls. Continue NE
Location:
40.26510°, -111.62380°
Point Name:
SQM004:
Cross bridge over Rock Canyon's seasonal creek; 2nd crossing in .1 mi.
Location:
40.26462°, -111.61260°
Point Name:
SQM005:
Cross bridge over cascading stream
Location:
40.26583°, -111.60760°
Point Name:
SQM006:
Last
bridge crossing. In 25 yds., stay straight @ T. Sidetrip: Just after
the bridge, there's a trail to L about 15 feet away to the opening of a
cave. If you have time for a fun diversion, it's a neat cave that goes
in about 30-40 feet with two branches. You'll need a flashlight.
Location:
40.26774°, -111.60590°
Point Name:
SQM007:
Turn L @ T; head NNW into First Left Fork. In .1 mi., pass campsite on R with stone fire ring
Location:
40.26889°, -111.60310°
Point Name:
SQM008:
Continue steady ascent on narrow trail shaded by aspen, occasional conifers
Location:
40.27514°, -111.60770°
Point Name:
SQM009:
Trail curves to SW through sparse woods, wildflower meadows
Location:
40.27964°, -111.61540°
Point Name:
SQM010:
Stay straight where faint trail leads to the R
Location:
40.27833°, -111.61830°
Point Name:
SQM011:
Begin final .6-mi. summit climb on windy trail
Location:
40.27545°, -111.61920°
Point Name:
SQM012:
Take in nearly-360-degree views on Squaw Peak (7,876 ft.). Highlights: Utah Lake, Timpanogos and Provo Peaks
Location:
40.27113°, -111.61690°
Tips/Directions thanks to Spencer Green.
Tips/Directions thanks to Spencer Green.
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