Sunday Morning Hiking Series #4 - Grand
View
This is the big one that I promised for the end of the summer.
Grand View is one of those peaks in the Salt Lake area that
everyone talks about doing but never seems to get up there.
Apparently it isn't an easy task. Until lesdubois and
himilecyclist's journey in May the
cache at the summit hadn't been logged for two years. I had
been thinking about taking the approach from City Creek they took.
Knowing the excellent condition those two are in, their claims of
exhaustion concerned me. Aside from the difficulty of the hike
itself, simply finding a trailhead to get up there is a challenge
as I learned in preparing for this event. For everyone who has been
waiting here is the information for this hike.
We will hike the Great Western Trail from Sessions Mountain Road
to summit of Grand View. Because most of our elevation gain will be
on the drive up this will end up being a more moderate climb. There
are still several elevation changes along the trail. Starting here
will simply cut off the biggest elevation gain.
Please note that the meeting coordinates for the hike have
changed. The coordinates are now at the intersection of Skyline
Road and Sessions Mountain Road. We will meet and consolidate into
4WD vehicles at that point. I did make it two miles farther down
Sessions Mountain Road in my Saturn. A steep, deeply rutted hill
stopped me at N 40 54.221 W 111 46.689. There is not a lot of
parking space at that point or really at any points previous so it
will likely be easiest to meet in the large parking lot at the
intersection.
Since we need to be together to "car pool" to the trailhead the
usual 8:05am rule will not apply. I'll send my cell # to everyone
who posts a "will attend log". If you are going to be later than
8:05 am please give me a call. Once everyone is accounted for,
those folks with the 4WD vehicles who have volunteered seats will
get us up to the trailhead.
This is the easiest approach to Grandview, but it is still
challenging. Those who may not be up to the whole distance are
still welcome to come. The entire ridge beginning with the initial
parking place has gorgeous views in all directions. The flora and
fauna are amazing. As of today 8/18/09 there are still wildflowers
in bloom. A very pleasant morning could be spent poking around the
trailhead and other nearby trails which descend into Mueller
Park.
Please be sure to dress in layers. Initially it's going to be
chilly. At 10:20am this morning my car was still showing 54 F. By
the time I left the top at 2pm it was only up to 64 F. It will
likely be cooler in three weeks. As always, bring plenty of water.
The duration of the hike will depend on our speed with the
elevation changes. (Let me firmly state I am a tortoise, especially
when gaining elevation.) It's better to pack a lunch and not eat it
then to be starving and in need of energy on the trail.
I'm really looking forward to this hike. As I said in the save
the date note, I haven't done it yet. I want company for this
summit. It should be another great day. I look forward to seeing
all of you out there.
If you would like more information about the whole series of
hikes, check out the others in the series.
Come on out and have some fun hiking and
caching! Make a Sunday morning caching hike part of your month! See
you there!