Mt Timpanogos 8/26/05


Susan had a rare Friday off, and I needed to seek a higher power for prelim help, so we decided to climb Mt. Timpanogos, the second highest peak in the Wasatch range at 11.749 feet.

We had planned to be on the trail by 10am. It is 12 miles out-and-back and climbs 4900 feet from the trailhead. Therefore, by hiking a little over a mile an hour, we figured to be at the summit well before 4pm. You see where this is going. First our blender breaks, so we have shitty smoothies. Then we spend a half hour driving around Pleasant Grove and Linden (both great places, just not the right place). Then my hat flies out the window while taking pictures en route in Provo Canyon, where there are not many places for a U-turn. We finally arrive at the trail head at 11am. Twenty minutes later, we find out we're on the wrong trail!! This is when you think to yourself, do we call the whole thing off?

Start time: 11:40am 6,850ft Aspen Grove Trail


Disgruntled, but ready for a good hike. Not sure if we have time to summit.


This must be what's left of a huge avalanche. Is that the avy path above? Still a lot of snow left!


Standing by the first of many waterfalls


Heading up the Aspen Grove Trail into Primrose Cirque. In the background are 2 peaks: The Second Summit (11,722ft) is on the left and the The Shoulder (11,161ft) is on the right. In front of us are the Upper Falls which flow into Stewart's Creek and Stewart's Falls.


A close up of one of the Upper Falls.


And more snow


It was really awesome in here...You can get a sense how extensive it is from the previous picture. Several deaths have occured from people walking over these ice bridges in the early summer.


We didn't bring any crampons!


About 4 hours in, and still no sight of the summit.


Where is this place, exactly?



Finally, the Timp Shelter next to Emerald Lake at 10,360 feet. This shelter was built in 1959 and used to have toilets and a fireplace, but now is pretty run down. The summit is close from here!



Susan in great spirits. Just beyond this icefield, and over the saddle that can be seen under the clouds should be the summit route. The saddle sits at 11,080ft, just under 700 feet from the top.


The view from the saddle. The little red hut in the upper right is our destination. Kinda far up there. The route follows the ridge for the most part. It is now past 4pm, and we decide on a turn around time of 5:30. The air is thin, and we are tired. Our feet hurt.


Almost there!!


Kyle, we made it!!



Summit 5:00pm 11,749 feet. One of the highest peaks that can be seen from the valley floor, and we have it to ourselves.


Emerald Lake and the Timp Shelter seen from the summit



The North Face of the Timp Summit is in the sun, as seen on the hike back down. You can barely see the little red dot that is the summit hut.


On our way back, we stumble onto a goat herd feeding in the lower elevations. I don't think they expected us to be here! We spook the first few, and there is promptly a mass exodus of goats, numbering over 100!!



Some larger goats (billies?) defiantly blocking our trail. Other members of the herd have escaped to the pasture seen in the upper left.


There are about 50 in this picture, but Susan easily counted 100 goats around us!!


Though of course the summit was awesome, the goats were an unexpected highlight. Tired, and out of food, we head to the car.
It takes us 3hrs and 45 minutes to hike down.

Finish 9:00pm 6,850 feet.

Total time: 9hrs 15 minutes


Posted: Sat - August 27, 2005 at 10:10 AM          

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