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| Hiking | 10.25 Miles |
4,898 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.25 Miles | | | |
| 4,898 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Hit up my friend Shane and asked if he wanted to see how far up Box Elder peak we could get. The hike looked like it could be rather adventurous from the Valley floor. The range is pretty steep. From it's base at ~4800 ft, it rises to just over 9000ft in a little over 2.5 miles.
We started up Rattlesnake Canyon early in the afternoon. From TH to the top of Rattlesnake Canyon you will gain a little over 3000ft in 3.1 miles. The trail up Rattlesnake Canyon ranges from excellent to fair. For the first mile or so you walk through a deciduous forest on excellent trail, then you emerge out into the open and beginning heading up the southern face of the mountain. The trail can be a little overgrown and washed out here.
Once you have reached the top of Rattlesnake Canyon, the trail immediately shoots you east to the ridgeline which will connect you to Box Elder Peak. Soak in the views of the surrounding mountain ranges of Northern Utah. Bear River to the east, the tops of the Uintas to the south east, and the spine of the Wasatch which runs south. I expected to encounter moderate amounts of snow here, but the trail stays on the southwestern side of the ridgeline where it was mostly melted off. Ride the ridge all the way to the top of Box Elder Peak.
With one in the bag and time for seconds, we eyed Wellsville Cone and returned to the ridgeline which would connect us to the Cone. The ridgeline dips down several hundred feet on the north side of Box Elder before shooting straight back up to the Cone. Descending the southern end of the ridgeline took some care because snow lingered and the constant thaw/freeze had made it rather icy. Initially I wished I had brought my microspikes, but the snow was soft enough to kick in steps with the heel.
We reached the top of the Cone but didn't stay long as the wind had picked up considerably. We returned to the car and acquired great Mexican Food. |
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