RegionUtah
Four spare hours after Mount Peale became a fast Arches circuit through 43°C heat, dark storm clouds, Balanced Rock, the Windows and enough roadside geology to justify the detour immediately.
Range La Sal Mountains
Mount Peale, highest point of the Colorado Plateau and a Utah Ultra, looked like a short outing until loose scree and a fast-building thunderstorm turned the summit into a brief touch-and-go.
Range Colorado Plateau
A failed Mount Ellen attempt unexpectedly produced Capitol Reef: Waterpocket Fold scenery, roadside Fremont petroglyphs, an OHV detour into badlands and a much better afternoon than the original plan.
Range Southern Wasatch
An Ultra-prominence hike through deer and wildflowers became a judgement call under distant thunder, then ended with a parking ticket that finally explained the trailhead’s nearly useless permit system.
Range Great Basin Ranges
At 40°C, Frary Peak delivered an exposed climb above the Great Salt Lake, an accidental Class 3 ridge variation, a shade-free summit and post-hike encounters with bison and bighorn sheep.
Range Greater Yellowstone Rockies
A second Yellowstone circuit traded bison for travertine terraces, smaller geysers and the impossible colours of Grand Prismatic, which easily became my favourite stop before a crowded Old Faithful finale.
RegionUtah
Until today, I’d only seen the vastness of the salt flats on a flat TV screen. This experience had always piqued my curiosity – I yearned to see, feel, and truly understand these unique places. Today, that day finally came. On my way from Flat Top Mountain to North Schell Peak, I stopped at the…
Range Great Basin Ranges
This peak wasn’t in my original plan. But again, I check my calendar, I check the map, and bang… I have time and there’s an unclimbed-by-me ultra-prominent peak in relative proximity. Such a coincidence. Of course, I find a way to the peak. At the trailhead, there’s a big parking area (no overnight stays mentioned…