Sunday Morning Hiking Series #60 - Little Black Mt Event Cache

Series Description

For those new to this hiking series, these are social hikes around the Salt Lake area for the purpose of caching, enjoying the outdoors, and getting to know fellow cachers. There tends to be a range of fitness levels that show up for the hikes. As the emphasis is on being social, don't worry if a steep leaves you puffing. I'll be right there clinging to a tree and puffing with you. Our usual meeting time is 8am, and we leave the parking area by 8:05am. The other primary feature of these hikes is that they are short and can be accomplished by noon. Trails tend to be a little emptier on Sunday mornings and we'll be done in time for anyone who has Sunday obligations to attend an afternoon service. If you don't have to be anywhere in the afternoon, there's frequently a longer trail to take. If you would like more information about the whole series of hikes, check out the others in the series in the bookmark list at the right.

NOTE FOR NON-CACHERS: Since there has been a trend toward non-cachers joining us due to cross posting of hikes on hiking groups, just a heads-up. Yes, it's a hike and you are certainly welcome to join us. However, it is a caching hike which means if there are caches along the trail we are going to go search for them. That may mean stepping off the trail briefly or an involved search and/or bushwhack off trail. We are happy to teach you about geocaching. We like to spread our obsession. Just come with the expectation that there will be detours from the trail and it will likely take longer to do the hike with this group than most other groups you've gone with. Searching the woods for a piece of paper in tupperware using billion dollar satellites is fun. Try it, you might like it.

Description for this Hike

FIVE YEARS!

That's how long the Sunday Morning Hiking Series has been going. It still astonishes me. Over the 59 hikes to date there have been many adventures had and good friends made. With this hike we will celebrate by reaching a little known peak in a wilderness just north of the city. Round trip to Little Black Mountain with the numerous distractions (aka caches) along the way will probably take longer than the usual four hours. The trail is just over 4 miles one way. Don't let that stop you from coming out. Please join us for as long as you wish then turn back when you have had your fill.

Most of the elevation gain is near the start of the hike. Once we are on the ridge, past Twin Peaks, we will continue to slowly gain elevation as we head toward the peak, but it is gradual. Right at the peak there is some light scrambling with exposure. The view of sweeping vistas all along this ridge is incredible.

Although there is some tree cover along the ridge, it is minimal, so be sure to be prepared for walking in the sun during most of the hike. Think hat and lots of sunscreen. If you plan to make the whole hike, please bring enough food and water to keep you fueled. There are no water sources along the way. This is a geo-dog friendly trail, but the summit may not be depending on Fido's ability to scramble.