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South Mtn Loop
1 Photoset

2021-09-07  
mini location map2021-09-07
12 by photographer avatarchumley
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South Mtn LoopCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking9.28 Miles 2,333 AEG
Hiking9.28 Miles   4 Hrs   2 Mns   2.38 mph
2,333 ft AEG      8 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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John9L
After three nights in the La Sals with an afternoon drive back to the desert ahead of us we decided to do an 8-ish mile loop around South Mountain combing Medicine Lake, South Mtn, and Terrace trails. It's one of two loops that start near La Sal Pass and the only one not open to mountain bikes (the other being Burlfriends ... open even to motorbikes).

This was a perfect option on this day and while it didn't involve another 12k peak (optional if you want to offtrail up the ridge to bag somo) it featured a really diverse cross-section of the La Sals, from deserty south-facing slopes, avalanche paths, endless aspen groves, dense fir forests, and some impressive trail construction through some really steep terrain.

The smoke which had been largely unnoticeable over the previous days was thick today, limiting visibility. It was a good day to do a forested hike rather than a peak! We weren't sure about the Terrace trail (if it existed?) but it turned out to be a pleasant stroll through aspen forest.

We finished up the loop with a mile or so more than it had been drawn up, and though it's quite easy, the last mile on the two track dragged on just a bit. Nobody else out on the trails today. Smoke aside, tough to beat the temps and weather.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Medicine Lakes
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