Mount Van Cott, Wasatch Mountains- November 2021

Warmvember Continues. This is the latest I have hiked in the Wasatch with trail boots on. I am usually splitboarding by this time of the year, but it seems 2021 has other plans. Since it was nearly 60 degrees on the last weekend in November it was time to get after it again. I have been trying to get a bit more familiar with the Wasatch Foothills which are North of I-80 above the Foothill, U of U, and Avenues areas. These are by far not the tallest mountians in the range, but for sure they are steep and some of them have elevation gains of some of the Cottonwood Canyon trails. Mount Van Cott has been on my list for years and I could not see a reason to not go get it so off I went.

I started on the South Ridge which is located at the mouth of Red Butte Canyon. You can park at the U of U lot directly below this on Saturdays and Sundays. Monday thru Friday a parking permit is enforced. You can park a few blocks south on Colorow Road and take the Bonneville Shoreline connector to access this same area if you are looking for a free parking option Monday Thru Friday. Currently that is not an option due to the construction of a new storage tank for Salt Lake City as the signs in the photo above shows. Once that is completed next year this becomes an option once more. Please respect closed areas for saftey.

You hike from the U of U parking lot to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Then it connects with the steep and loose trail that seemingly goes straight up hill. You'll pass a cliff wall which I just loved as an intro for the area. I did some steep hikes this year. But I don't think any of them started so straight up hill as this one did. So this takes the cake for steepest start of a trail all year. As always the more I climbed, the better the views got. After cresting the first section of the ridge, I got to watch LifeFlight take off from the University Of Utah and make a loop over the top of my head! I moved on up the next ridge. Then anothe really steep climb, then it flattens out again. The views never stopped being spectacular! Make sure you've got sun cover. There is not much shade on this trail and only in a couple of patches of gamble oak would you find repreieve.

I came to the final junction and the map showed me that either way, east or west fork would get me to the summit of Mout Van Cott. I decided to go the west route as it looked shorter but steep, and I wanted to take the direct route. It deposited me at the bottom of a clif ban, and I had to scramble the last 50 feet to the top. It was kind of fun to be honest, I havent really had to scramble all year. After 1 hr and 10 minutes, I arrived at the summit of Mount Van Cott, 6351 USGS. It was named for Lucy May Van Cott, the first dean of women (1907–1931) at the University of Utah. Cool historical fact for me as I love studying history. The views were spectacular in all directions. The geology really shows it self of here in this part of Utah. The inversion in the valley makes me think its the ghost of Lake Bonneville that went to the Shoreline Trail that I crosed on the way up.

After some time on the summit, I made my way on the trail I should have walked up to the summit on and made my way down. This is the part I am going to preach about good traction and taking your time getting down this trail. It has some loose rock, and you want to take your time on the steep sections, especially the last one you started up on. The hike out actually took less than 35 minutes, half the time out. If I did not have to go slow on that last section I could have gotten to the Jeep in 30 min flat. All in all, 2.6 miles round trip, 1,306 feet of elevation gain, 53 hikes for the year, and a warm November day to hike this! When will winter show up? Who knows. Until it does, I'll keep hiking! Enjoy the pics and check out my YouTube video below. Subcribe and Like! More adventures to come......

2022 Christian Paul Photography Calendars

Christian Paul Photography 2022 calendars are here! This year I am featuring images that I captured while letting nature be my guide this season! This year’s calendar is 8x10, perfect for the fridge, cubicle, or office wall. These will make great gifts for the holidays or for yourself for the coming year.

$20.00- price includes shipping to anywhere in the continental United States. Outside the United States alternate shipping rates apply. Payment Options: PayPal, Google Pay, Venmo, checks, and money orders. Paypal and Google Pay requests can be sent to: christianpaulphotography@gmail.com

Venmo me at https://venmo.com/Christian-Paul-6

*Please include the address in your request that you would like your order shipped to. If you need a gift message, please include that in your request as well. Message me here or email me at christianpaulphotography@gmail.com if you are interested in ordering or have any questions. If you are in the Salt Lake City area I can deliver them for cash payment or the above options socially distancd and safe.

These will be a limited run, so if you are interested please let me know how many you would like so I can get them out timely before the holiday. Thank you for supporting a local Utah photographer and artist.
Website: https://www.christianpaulphotography.com/2022-calendars.html

Mt Wire/Big Beacon, Wasatch Foothills- November 2021

Warmvember continues! Different than last year, I have been making myself go hiking at least once a week to stay active after all the hard work personally over the last year. With clear skies and warmer than average temps I made my way to the trailhead for a Sunday Funday adventure! As I climbed, the views kept getting better! I have done this trail several times for the Living Room which I have previously about, but this trail is the turnoff you pass when you are rounding the corner west on the trail. This trail from the start is a uphill battle. It occasionally gives you a break on the way up but they are very short lived.

Arriving at the cuttoff, I made my way up to the ridge. This is a steep but beautiful section that was still holding some fall colors. The views as well continued to improve! Once I hit the saddle it was a short walk up Red Butte. This summit is the namesake for the world famous Red Butte Gardens. Then it was up the really steep summit to the South that rises about about 500 ft. Once you reach a lone tree that if you are tall you are going to have to duck under, the trail is really easy and manageable. I rounded the last corner and could see the top of the unnamed summit just before Mt. Wire and I of course had to run up. Great views but not a ton of real estate. Beautiful views of a rarely seen area of the Wasatch.

I made my way down and across the saddle and up to the summit of Mt Wire! Mt. Wire aka Big Beacon summit elevation is 7.146 ft USGS. Mt. Wire is named after Lester Wire, a Salt Lake City Police Officer who invented the Electric Red/Green Traffic Light in 1912. It now carries the name Big Beacon for the aircraft beacon that lies dormant and abandonded on the summit. It is surrounded by a fence. There is also a solar weather unit up there so please leave them be. I took in the view and had some water and a snack after 2,100 feet of gain from the Jeep to the Summit!

After taking some time to relax and recharge, I decided to make my way down since it gets dark early these days. After making my way to the unnamed summit you round, I found a fossilzed sea shell in a rock. Shortly later I found some really nice sea shells. All of this used to be underwater until 65 million years ago when the great uplift happened which is what we call the Wasatch today! The hike out was beautiful and amazing lighting. I made it down to the main trail and decided to walk up to the Living Room just to get some views and why not right? Three summits in one day, might as well hit that on the way out too! After making my way down the wash the trail descends, and crossing the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, I found myself back at the Jeep! 5 miles round trip, 2,139 feet of elevation gain, and one hell of a way to spend a Sunday in November! This was a great hike that if you like steep long walks that lead to amazing summits you'll love this one! Enjoy the pics and check out my YouTube video for a live action version of events! Please like and subscribe! More adventures to come!

Ensign Peak, Wasatch Foothills- November 2021

I had a wonderful lunch with family on this Sunday, and I was close to this trailhead so I thought why not? The trailhead was packed but I got lucky and got a spot right when I pulled up. This is a nature park as well as a hiking trail so it was cool to finally get to experience this! I made my way up the trail with a realy cold wind blowing as I climbed. The trail turns south as it climbs and a monument to the valley is there for the viewing.

As I climbed the saddle the wind really picked up! I pulled up my hood and made haste for the top! There is an Obelisk on top with a Peculiar "Kolob" brick on the back, and a memorial to the Pioneers who sstood at this spot two days after their arrival to map out the Salt Lake Valley.

The hike down was short but sweet and a lot less windy than the top! It was nice to be back out hiking again. I am not sure how long winter is going to hold off, but I'll keep getting after these till it shows up! Enjoy the pics and check out my YouTube edit and be sure to like and subscribe! More Adventures to come!

Avenue Twin Peaks, Wasatch Foothills- October 2021

We had a warm stretch of weather which was perfect for some hiking so we took my son and headed up the Avenue Twin Peaks trail here in the Wasatch. The weather was very nice, and almost too warm for a late October day. We hit the trail and the first few steeps were challenging for my son. But I am proud of him for not quitting. We took a few stops on the way up which I don't think anyone minded.

We made our way to the ridge and my son had enough. I decided to go for the summit and my wife was kind enough to stay with our son so I could make a run for the top. The ridge section was a lot steeper than I remember, but a good workout. One small ridge and I was on the North Twin.

I did not stay on the North Twin for long as my family was waiting. I quickly made my way to the South Twin and shot some photos. The views of the city and the Wasatch were spectacular. I then packed it up and made my way down to my family. It was a beautiful day up there, perfect temps, a perfect fall day!

Our hike out was short but sweet with my son playing in the grasses all the way to the car! A perfect day in the Wasatch! These are numbered as winter will soon be here. I will stay on the dirt path until we are snowed in. More adventures to come!