Mount Timpanogos

The Mount Timpanogos area is one of the more popular attractions along the Wasatch Front with Timpanogos Cave up American Fork Canyon and the Sundance Mountain Resort up Provo Canyon.  Though not the highest point in the Wasatch Range, Mount Timpanogos (referred to by many locals as simply "Timp") stands as a prominent landmark against the Utah Valley and beyond.  The name comes from the Timpanogos Tribe who were an indigenous people of Shoshone descent that lived in the area before the coming of the Mormon Pioneers.  Examining the outline of the mountain reveals the legendary character of a sleeping princess – lying on her back with her long hair flowing downward and knees bent upward.  At one time there used to be an annual "Timp Hike," which would literally draw thousands of people onto the mountain slopes in one day!  This obviously resulted in adverse effects to the delicate ecosystem – consequently, it was discontinued in 1970.  By 1984 the area was officially designated a wilderness area to protect the environment.  While the route to the summit of Mount Timpanogos is not particularly difficult, it is a long hike that requires a full day and strong perseverance.  Bring plenty of water along with protection from the sun as the upper parts of the trail extend above the timberline and have no real water sources.  This post describes the Timpooneke Trail, or northern route to Mount Timpanogos, which provides the least amount of elevation gain to the summits.

To reach the Timpooneke trailhead from I-15 coming from the north, take the Timpanogos Highway exit (Exit 284) and turn left (east) onto SR 92 to the mouth of American Fork Canyon (about 7.5 miles).  If coming from the south along I-15, take the Pleasant Grove Boulevard exit (Exit 275) and turn right (northeast) onto Pleasant Grove Boulevard.  At the next traffic signal turn left (northwest) onto 2000 West, which turns into North County Boulevard to the Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple.  Continue following this road northward to 11000 North (SR 92) and make a right (east) turn towards the mountains (about 6.0 miles from Exit 275).  The previous time I entered American Fork Canyon, the entry fee was $6.00 per vehicle for a one-to-three day pass, unless you have an "America the Beautiful" Parks Pass.  Proceed up the canyon past the Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center (about 2.25 miles further) and stay right (east) along SR 92 to about 8.1 miles beyond the entrance station.  Turn right (northwest) onto the Timpooneke road and drive approximately one quarter-mile to the parking area on the left (south) at the trailhead.  This area can become quite congested with vehicles, especially on weekends – so plan accordingly.

Scout Falls near the lower
part of the Timpooneke trail

Approaching Timpanogos Basin
with main peak in the background

The trail begins at the informational signs, where there is also a trail registry for registering your names.  It never hurts to take a few moments and absorb the information on these signs as it may save you some trouble down the road.  Upon entering the Mount Timpanogos Wilderness Area a little ways past the signs, the trail continues to the edge of a large meadow where it begins to ascend around the west side.  At around 1.4 miles along the trail at the end of the first full switchback is a sign that indicates the access to Scout Falls.  This is a nice spot for a rest, and depending on the season there can be huge amounts of water flowing over the edge – creating a thunderous roar.  Back on the main route above Scout Falls, the trail enters a basin area and eventually curves northward for about one-half mile before turning southward again across talus slopes.  Being on northerly and easterly facing slopes, snow often remains in this area well into the summer months.  When hiking across any snowfield, be cautious not to slip and fall into possible hidden voids that may exist beneath the surface.  At approximately 4.8 miles along the trail, the Timpanogos Basin is reached as you transition from pine forests to alpine tundra.  Elevations in this basin area can range anywhere from 10,000 to 10,600 feet.  During the 1950s an Air Force B-25 bomber crashed northwest of Timpanogos Basin just below the Middle Summit – killing everyone on board.  Parts of the wreckage can still be found by following the right (northwest) fork of the trail at the "Toilet" sign for about 0.75 miles along the terrace.  Since the accident, the Middle Summit of Mount Timpanogos is often referred to as "Bomber Peak."

One of two engines from a B-25 bomber
that crashed on Mount Timpanogos

The main peak of Mount Timpanogos
as viewed from the ridge saddle

About 500 feet along the left (southwest) fork of the trail from the "Toilet" sign is another junction that determines the route to the summits, or to Emerald Lake.  Take the right (northwest) fork towards the summits, which ascends up the ridge to the west approximately 1.5 miles further to reach the saddle.  Once at the ridge saddle, while most hikers elect to go on to the main summit, you can also hike to the other summits as well along the summit ridge.  Keep in mind, however, that there are no clearly established trails to the other summits – and that a greater amount of time and effort will be required to reach them.  At the main summit of Mount Timpanogos is a metal hut that allows some protection from the elements while taking in the panoramic views below.  Do not take shelter in this hut during a thunderstorm though – as it becomes a prime attraction for lightning.  Distance from the trailhead to the 11,749-foot main summit of Mount Timpanogos is approximately 7.2 miles one-way with an elevation gain of about 4,400 feet.

The metal hut at the main
summit of Mount Timpanogos

The Hamongog Area

About a half-mile west of the Dry Creek Canyon trailhead is the Schoolhouse Springs trailhead, which leads through an area known as the Hamongogs.  A hamongog is a Biblical term that refers to a valley where the Army of Gog and Magog was buried (see Ezekiel 39:11-15).  In the case of this mountain trail, it is more of a flat open meadow area surrounded by denser forested areas.  Due to recent development in the area, greater efforts have been necessary to maintain public access to the Lone Peak Wilderness Area, which begins at the wilderness sign at the First Hamongog.  Each year during the Alpine Days events in August, there is supposedly a community hike to Lake Hardy that begins at the Schoolhouse Springs trailhead at around 5:30am.  The year I attempted to go on this hike with them, however, the event was canceled, and I was basically left on my own to do the hike.  Since this hike is located on a south-facing slope, it is important to bring lots of drinking water and take this hike during the cooler times of the day.  The autumn season is a particularly delightful time to hike the Hamongog area when temperatures are more moderate and the leaves are changing color.

Reaching the Schoolhouse Springs trailhead is very similar to reaching the trailhead for Dry Creek Canyon.  Coming from the west along SR 92, turn left (north) onto 5300 West, which becomes Main Street going into the town of Alpine.  Continue straight through the traffic circle along Main Street and turn right (east) at 200 North.  Turn left (north) again onto Grove Street (200 East) and follow it approximately 1.6 miles to Alpine Cove Drive.  Now turn left (northward) onto Alpine Cove Drive and then left (northward) again onto Aspen Drive.  Continue following the graded dirt road to the gate and parking area near the Lehi water tanks.  If coming from the east along SR 92, turn right (north) onto 4800 West, which curves and turns into Canyon Crest Road to the traffic circle (about 1.25 miles from SR 92).  At the traffic circle, turn right (north) onto Main Street and follow the remaining previous directions to reach the trailhead.

Directional sign in the First Hamongog
area just beyond the wilderness sign

View of the Second Hamongog
with Big Horn Peak in the background

From the water tanks to the First Hamongog, the trail is basically an old graded road that switchbacks up the mountainside – a 1,500-foot elevation gain in about 1.8 miles.  Much of this area is private property; so it's important to stay on the established route as much as possible.  Upon reaching the First Hamongog and continuing into the wilderness area, the trail splits – the left (west) fork leads to the Second Hamongog while the right (east) fork leads to the Dry Creek Canyon area.  Taking the left fork, the trail ascends approximately 1,100 feet for about 1.4 miles to reach the 8,130-foot elevation of the Second Hamongog meadow.  Here you are surrounded by pine trees and the spectacular backdrop of the Draper Ridge to the north.  This is a good stopping point for those lacking the strength to hike further and/or for spending the night.  The route to Lake Hardy continues by taking the right (east) fork in the Second Hamongog meadow, which ascends up the drainage towards the ridgeline to Big Horn Peak.  As the vegetation becomes sparser with increasing altitude, cairns mark the path to take.  The last time I hiked this trail, I made it to a point that I refer to as "Ridge Viewpoint," which offers great views of the surrounding landscape.  Years earlier, I hiked to the south summit of Lone Peak from the Second Hamongog with my hiking partner, Joe.  We took the left (north) fork of the trail towards Lone Rock for a ways and then veered more towards the north up a very steep drainage.  Though this may be considered the shortest hiking distance to the summit of Lone Peak, it is certainly the steepest as well – which is quite brutal on your legs and feet.  Total distance from the Schoolhouse Springs trailhead to the Second Hamongog is about 3.2 miles one-way with an elevation gain of 2,600 feet.  To the south summit of Lone Peak the distance is approximately 4.8 miles one-way with an elevation gain of around 5,700 feet.

View of Box Elder Peak from the Ridge
Viewpoint along the Lake Hardy Trail

View looking northwest at the north summit
of Lone Peak – Photo credit: WordPress

Horsetail Falls

Tucked in the northern reaches of Utah Valley near the town of Alpine, Utah is a waterfall known as Horsetail Falls.  Though not as popular as other nearby waterfalls, Horsetail Falls has a beauty of its own that is well worth hiking to see.  From a fairly narrow channel at the top, the water spreads out as it cascades onto the rocks below.  The amount of water varies depending on seasonal runoff and the time of year visited, yet each season provides its own special type of beauty.  There are several stream crossings along the trail that can cause a little apprehension during heavy runoff, but most have narrow log bridges to cross on.  At the end of Dry Creek Canyon sits the Pfeifferhorn, which is a pyramid-shaped peak that forms part of the Salt Lake-Utah County line.  Continuing up the Dry Creek Trail beyond Horsetail Falls eventually takes you to the north saddle of Box Elder Peak.

To reach the trailhead for Dry Creek Canyon along I-15 coming from the north, take the Timpanogos Highway exit (Exit 284) and turn left (east) onto SR 92.  Follow this route for approximately 5.6 miles and turn left (north) onto 5300 West, which becomes Main Street going into the town of Alpine.  Continue straight through the traffic circle along Main Street and turn right (east) at 200 North.  Turn left (north) again on Grove Drive (200 East) and follow it the remaining distance to the trailhead (about 2.5 miles).  At the junction with Oakridge Drive, turn right (southeast) briefly to cross Dry Creek before continuing northward again past the rodeo grounds to the parking area.  If coming from the south along I-15, take the Pleasant Grove Boulevard exit (Exit 275) and turn right (northeast) onto Pleasant Grove Boulevard.  Turn left (northwest) at the next traffic signal onto 2000 West, which turns into North County Boulevard to the Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple.  Continue following this road northward, which eventually curves and turns into Canyon Crest Road to the traffic circle (about 7.3 miles from Exit 275).  At the traffic circle, turn right (north) onto Main Street and follow the remaining previous directions to reach the trailhead.

Horsetail Falls (white area) as seen
from a lower viewing point near trail

Hiker crosses one of several
narrow log bridges along the trail

Be prepared for large crowds during weekends and holidays that can fill the parking lot to capacity.  The well-marked trail begins at the east edge of the parking lot and passes an informational board as it curves northward, then northeastward.  Much of the first part of the trail is open with less shade, but it soon narrows upon entering the more forested areas towards the canyon.  There are some fairly steep portions along the way along with a few level areas for resting and catching your breath.  At around 1.2 miles from the trailhead, you reach a grassy meadow area know as Shingle Mill Flat, which provides a great place to camp and observe wildlife.  Since this is part of the Lone Peak Wilderness Area, no camping is allowed within 200 feet of any water sources, and of course, "Leave No Trace" camping techniques apply at all times.  Beyond the meadow, the trail continues up the canyon with frequent paths forking off to the left towards Dry Creek.  A good lower viewing point of the waterfall lies just over a half-mile past the meadow at around 7,000 feet elevation.  Upon reaching the Deer Creek-Dry Creek directional sign, go to the left (northward) to reach the top of the waterfall.  At this point, various paths with moderate exposure lead to different spots for viewing the waterfall.  Extreme caution must be exercised – particularly around the waterfall – to avoid slips and falls on wet surfaces.  Distance from the trailhead to the top of Horsetail Falls (7,250 feet) is approximately 2.0 miles one-way with an elevation gain of about 1,600 feet.

Deer Creek-Dry Creek directional
sign not far from Horsetail Falls

Close-up view of Horsetail Falls

Box Elder Peak, Utah County

A spectacular area to drive through, especially during the autumn season when the leaves change color, is American Fork Canyon in Utah County.  Known as the Alpine Loop Scenic Highway, this route is quite popular for tourists visiting Timpanogos (pronounced "tim-pa-no-gus") Cave National Monument along with many locals seeking an escape into the mountains.  This canyon offers many recreational opportunities that include biking, camping, fishing, and of course, hiking.  North of American Fork Canyon in the Lone Peak Wilderness Area lies a prominent point known as Box Elder Peak – not to be confused with the Box Elder Peak in the Wellsville Mountains.  Situated between the Pfeifferhorn and Mount Timpanogos, Box Elder Peak is often overlooked for these higher, more popular peaks.  Although there are several routes up this mountain, the easiest approach is from the Granite Flat campground area, which is located just above Tibble Fork Reservoir.

To reach American Fork Canyon from I-15 coming from the north, take the Timpanogos Highway exit (Exit 284) and turn left (east) onto SR 92 to the mouth of the canyon (about 7.5 miles).  If coming from the south along I-15, take the Pleasant Grove Boulevard exit (Exit 275) and turn right (northeast) onto Pleasant Grove Boulevard.  At the next traffic signal turn left (northwest) onto 2000 West, which turns into North County Boulevard to the Mount Timpanogos LDS Temple.  Continue following this road northward to 11000 North (SR 92) and make a right (east) turn towards the mountains (about 6.0 miles from Exit 275).  The last time I went through the entrance station into American Fork Canyon, it was $6.00 per vehicle for a one-to-three day pass.  I understand that this fee is waived if you are visiting Timpanogos Cave National Monument only, or if you have purchased an "America the Beautiful" Parks Pass.  Keep in mind that all money collected at the entrance station remains in the area to maintain facilities, improve visitor services, and protect natural resources, including wildlife.  About 2.25 miles beyond the entrance station is the Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center off to the right (south).  At approximately 4.7 miles, take the left (north) fork onto SR 144 and continue about 2.5 miles past Tibble Fork Reservoir.  Take the hairpin turn to the left that swings you to the west and continue through the Granite Flat Campground guard station where there is parking near the trailhead on the right (north).

View of Box Elder Peak from the
Granite Flat Campground

A hiking directional sign located on
the north saddle of Box Elder Peak

The trail begins by climbing up the Deer Creek drainage into the wilderness area through a relatively forested section.  After nearly a mile, the trail crosses into more of a meadow area with small ponds off to the left (south).  It is not uncommon to see wildlife here as deer and moose typically frequent this area.  At a point where the trail splits, take the right (north) fork that begins a steeper ascent up the north slope of the canyon.  During spring runoff, many of the small drainages here are flowing with water, but conditions often become much drier later on.  Be sure to bring plenty of water to accommodate for this along with sunscreen – as most of the remainder of this hike is unshaded from the sun.  Before reaching the north saddle, the trail crosses a huge rock slide area that extends almost to the bottom of the drainage.  Once on the north saddle, the main trail continues into Dry Creek Canyon towards Horsetail Falls and Alpine while the trail leading south along the ridge continues to Box Elder Peak.  This south trail follows the saddle approximately 0.7 miles and descends just over 200 feet elevation before the final one-mile climb up the north ridge to the summit.  As you ascend the north ridge, an impressive view of an anticline can be seen by looking west across the north cirque of Box Elder Peak.  Distance from the Granite Flat parking area to the 11,101-foot summit of Box Elder Peak is approximately 5.2 miles one-way with an elevation gain of just over 4,500 feet.  This takes into account a 1,650-foot gain after a 210-foot loss.

An anticline viewed from the
north ridge of Box Elder Peak

View looking southward towards
the north face of Mount Timpanogos

Mount Olympus North Face

Mount Olympus is one of the most picturesque points along the east side of the Salt Lake Valley.  People often hike its slopes as a quick, convenient escape from the quick-paced life in the city below.  The most common approach is from the west side up Tolcats Canyon, yet a lesser-known route exists on the northern face of Mount Olympus.  Though not a trail that's officially maintained, this northern route cuts about 800 feet off the elevation gain and provides a more shaded route from the sun than the west approach.  Beginning at the Neffs Canyon trailhead, the North Face route follows the Norths Fork of Neffs Canyon to a steep drainage that angles across the north face of Mount Olympus.  This hike is best done during the late-summer and early-autumn seasons when the steep gullies, or couloirs, are free of snow and ice.  Sadly, a few hikers have slipped to their deaths after making one wrong step on the snow without the proper equipment; such as crampons and an ice axe.  Even without snow, it is wise to bring trekking poles to steady yourself on the steep terrain along with plenty of water – as the route is dry beyond Norths Fork.

To reach the Neffs Canyon trailhead from I-215, take the 3900 South exit (Exit 4) if coming from the north, or the Wasatch Boulevard exit (Exit 4) if coming from the south.  At the 3900 South exit, turn left (east) under I-215 and cross Wasatch Boulevard to Jupiter Drive as it curves southward; following it to the four-way stop at 4280 South.  Now turn left (east) onto 4280 South, which turns into Oakview Drive, and then left again (northeast) onto Parkview Drive.  Once on Parkview Drive, turn right (southeast) onto Park Terrace Drive (4260 South), and then right again (east) onto White Way; following it to the parking lot at the end.

View of Neffs Knob near the bottom
of the North Face drainage

Climbing up the Mount Olympus North
Face route – Photo credit: Todd Anderson

The trail ascends from the east edge of the parking lot to a dirt service road that extends just over a half-mile past a water tank to the stream flowing out of Neffs Canyon.  Instead of turning east to follow the trail up Neffs Canyon, continue straight (south) along the former road that leads to the Mount Olympus Spring.  This was one of the places where Mount Olympus Waters, Inc. gets its bottled drinking water, which is a little surprising that dogs are allowed in this area.  Beyond the spring the trail becomes less distinct as it weaves through a forested section past Neffs Knob off to the east.  Not long after passing Neffs Knob, the trail briefly crosses a rocky area before making a short, sudden drop to the right (west) across the Norths Fork drainage.  From this point, the route begins its steep ascent up the North Face drainage to the west by following the rock-slab walls.  About a quarter-mile up the drainage is a minor split, where we tended to veer to the left (southward) through the talus slope area.  Along with wearing proper hiking boots, extreme caution must be exercised in the talus sloped areas to avoid dislodging rocks onto hikers below.  Upon reaching the top of the drainage, or couloir, the ridge on your right drops away and a spectacular view of the northern Salt Lake Valley opens up through the pine trees.  The day we hiked up there, we saw some adult mountain goats clinging to the cliff side along with several kids.  Continuing further along the route, you must drop down (perhaps 50 feet in elevation) into the Apollo Couloir to avoid traversing a rock face with exposure before the final, steep ravine that summits the west ridge.  Once on top of the west ridge, the view to the south opens up before you, and you can progress further as desired to reach the north summit of Mount Olympus at 8,959 feet elevation.  Distance from the Neffs Canyon trailhead to the top of the North Face drainage is approximately 1.6 miles one-way with an additional 0.6 miles to reach the north summit of Mount Olympus.  Elevation gain from the trailhead is about 2,560 feet to the drainage top and 3,350 feet to the north summit.

View of the northern Salt Lake Valley
from the top of the North Face drainage

Mountain goats cling to the cliffs near
the top of the North Face drainage

Mount Olympus south summit from atop
the west ridge – Photo credit: Hugh McGirt

White Rocks (Skull Valley Extension)

South of the Skull Valley Goshute Reservation lies the U.S. Army facility known as Dugway Proving Ground, which was established in 1942 for the testing of biological and chemical weapons.  This testing has often sparked controversy with many of the local residents, who don't want harmful materials in their backyard.  Within a buffer area that separates Dugway from the Goshute reservation sits an interesting geologic formation known as White Rocks.  Three mounds of granite formed part of an ancient, flat-topped volcano with the main formation rising several hundred feet out of the ground.  A dirt road crosses between two of the mounds while the third mound lies about 0.6 miles southwest of the other two.  Hiking difficulty in the White Rocks can range from technical climbs to minor scrambles with minimal exposure.  Several primitive campgrounds are located close to the base of the domes.

To reach the White Rocks area from I-80, take the Rowley/Dugway exit (Exit 77) and turn south on the Skull Valley Road (SR 196) for approximately 29.5 miles.  Take the maintained dirt road to the right (west) just past the small BLM sign that indicates: "White Rocks."  Another approach can be from Rush Valley south of Tooele.  From SR 36, follow SR 199 west through the community of Rush Valley and over Johnson Pass for approximately 14.0 miles to reach Terra.  Beyond Terra about one mile, turn right (west) onto the Lincoln Highway and follow it 5.6 miles to reach the Skull Valley Road (SR 196).  Make another right turn (north) onto the Skull Valley Road for 1.75 miles to arrive at the White Rocks turnoff to the left (west).  Once on the dirt road, follow it for approximately 5.5 miles and take the left fork southward for another three miles or so to reach the formations.  While most vehicles should be able to travel this road with little difficulty, it is best done under dry conditions.  Hikers and campers planning to spend the night are responsible for maintaining the beauty of the landscape.  As a rule of thumb: Leave the place cleaner than you found it.  Keep in mind that no public access is allowed onto the Dugway Proving Ground without specific clearance from the military.

Approaching the White Rock
formations from the east

The back (west) side of the main
White Rock formation

Skull Valley

Skull Valley is a rather remote area of northwestern Utah located about 50 miles west-southwest of Salt Lake City as the crow flies.  Its name is indicative of the harsh, dry conditions that exist today as well as when early pioneers crossed the region on their way to California during the 1800s.  One unique point of interest in Skull Valley is the ghost town of Iosepa (pronounced "yo-see-pa"), which was settled in 1889 by a group of Hawaiian pioneers that converted to the LDS (Mormon) Church in their native islands.  Originally, they had migrated to the Salt Lake area to be near the temple and main body of Church members, but some of the white settlers were not very accepting of their cultural differences.  As a result, they relocated in Skull Valley on what was then rangeland.  After a brief height of glory, Iosepa became a ghost town in 1917 after the Church began constructing a temple in Laie, Hawaii, which instilled a desire for the residents to return to their homeland.  Today the only obvious remains of the town are irrigation ditches, scattered rubble from foundations, and the cemetery plots where an annual celebration is held each Memorial Day.

Iosepa (which means "Joseph") welcome
sign along the Skull Valley Road 

Another point of interest in Skull Valley is the rock formation known as Lone Rock that rises about 250 feet above the valley floor.  Horseshoe Springs also provides a convenient spot to stop, walk around on the boardwalks, and observe fish swimming in the relatively clear waters.  Since the springs are warm (60-70° F. year-round), they never freeze over during the wintertime.  Skull Valley is bounded on the west by the Cedar Mountain Range, which was designated a wilderness area by Congress in late 2005.  No motorized travel is allowed in the wilderness, but hiking opportunities abound, and you will very likely see wild horses roaming along the east foot of the range.

The most common approach to Skull Valley from Salt Lake City is along I-80 about 43 miles west of the north junction of I-15 and I-80.  Take the Rowley/Dugway exit (Exit 77) and turn south onto the Skull Valley Road (SR 196).  While Lone Rock is visible from the freeway, the main entrance into this area is approximately 3.1 miles south of the exit off to the right (west).  It has seen its share of wild parties and junk that people often use for shooting practice, yet a hike to the top offers great views of the surrounding landscape.  The south slope provides the best non-technical route to the top.  Another 6.4 miles beyond the Lone Rock turnoff is the Horseshoe Springs turnoff, which is also off to the right (west).  At around 14.0 miles south of the Rowley/Dugway exit, the turnoff for the Iosepa cemetery lies to the left (southeast) where a dirt road leads to the burial site another mile further.  Continuing along the Skull Valley Road, we turned right (west) onto a dirt road about 3.0 miles beyond the Iosepa cemetery turnoff to access the Cedar Mountains.  Follow this dirt road west for approximately 1.3 miles, which then veers northwestward and crosses a stream bed at about 3.5 miles.  At around 4.4 miles from the highway, take the left (westward) fork and continue at least another 4.5 miles to reach Eightmile Spring off to the right (north).

View of Lone Rock from the east side

The northeast arm of Horseshoe Springs

Parking is available near Eightmile Spring or along the north-south road that basically skirts the wilderness boundary.  Since there are no established trails in the wilderness area, we made our way up a drainage area not far from the spring.  After approximately 2.8 miles of hiking, we began working our way up a ridge that led to the main crest.  Various cliff bands were in this area that seemed daunting, yet we were able to maneuver around them without much difficulty.  Once on top of the main crest, it was a matter of hiking southward to reach the high point of the Cedar Mountains at 7,712 feet elevation.  Total hiking distance from Eightmile Spring to the high point was about 5.5 miles one-way with an elevation gain of just over 3,000 feet.  Be sure to take plenty of water with you as Eightmile Spring was the only source of water we found during the entire hike.  Hiking this mountain range during the spring and autumn seasons is more pleasant as well.

View looking south along the east
side of the Cedar Mountain Range

View looking south towards the
highest point of the Cedar Mountains