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| Hiking | 9.77 Miles |
3,291 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.77 Miles | 4 Hrs 15 Mns | | 2.57 mph |
| 3,291 ft AEG | 27 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Early in the day, I went with 3 friends up to the Wind Caves in Logan Canyon. Along the way I expressed my interest in finding a way to reach the top of the ridgeline for some better views. One of the friends tagging along informed me that a trail which forks about a mile up the Wind Cave trail allows you to gain the ridge without an off-trail traverse. I had always been interested in this trail because it had no posted name, wasn't on any of the trailhead maps in the area, and I have passed it numerous times on my way to the Wind Cave always curious where it would lead.
I finished up the Wind Cave hike with this group of friends, returned to the valley to build up some calories to burn with some Mexican Food, and assembled a new group of friends to hit up this trail (carried one friend from the last group, added one new compadre).
We returned and started up the mountain, taking the right fork at the switch back junction instead of the usual left that takes you to the Wind Cave. After some vigorous climbing along two gigantic (sometimes overgrown) switchbacks, you gain the ridge and are greeted by a lovely campsite, and a junction to 3 different trails. One takes you back where you came from, one appeared to drop down into the canyon (Green Canyon) on the other side of the ridge, and the other continued up the ridgeline to who knows where. We were about to find out where!
We continued up the ridgeline, the views started opening up in every direction. To our right, the mountain quickly dropped down into Green Canyon, eventually reaching the valley floor below. To our left, outstanding views of Logan Canyon. Behind us, beautiful Mt. Logan stood snow-capped. In front of us, cascading mountains to the snowy high country. Dead ahead on the ridge, a peak came into view that would lure us on.
Soon we hit the snow fields that lingered on the pine-shaded north slope of the ridge. At first they where trivial to traverse, but not long after we would hit a few that would probably take you for a ride if you slipped and managed to gain some momentum. I wish I would have brought some trekking poles for this part.
The peak had to be less than a mile away at this point, but running low on water, and way over our allotted time, we decided to turn back, saving it for another day when we could return better prepared.
After returning home, I did some research online and found a name for the peak, Beirdneau Peak. The name of the trail which had connected us to the ridge was named "Wind Cave Way" and the trail which follows the ridgeline is simply Beirdneau Peak Trail. A new favorite for the area! |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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