Decided that since I've been averaging 12 hour days at work, that I would give myself a "comp-day" and get outside yesterday (Tuesday, 17 Nov. 2009).
Since there was still snow on the ground, I thought I would certainly find areas where I could dismount the ATV and shoe through the higher elevations; I would not be proven incorrect in this thought.
I left home at 0730. Outside, it was a balmy 22F with ice on the ground and virtually everything in a frozen state.
I arrived at the mouth of Ophir Canyon just before 0830 and unloaded my gear. The external temperature was still near 22F - so I grabbed a sweat shirt, my baraclava and some new cold weather gloves I had just purchased.
From this location, I rode about 6 miles North to the Jacob City staging area (just outside Stockton) and proceeded to ride into Soldier Canyon.
I looped around trying to discern where the various snow packed trails would lead, but virtually all of them dead-ended or placed me at a fence marked "PRIVATE PROPERTY". After an hour of exploring, I got back on the main trail and rode through Solider Canyon.
There was hardly a living thing moving at this time of morning. It was still quite chilly and the sun was just coming over the Oquirrh Mountains.
My first discovery was an area of charcoal kiln ruins. Based on their level of destruction, I could only guess they were at least 50+ years old.
I placed a geocache to mark this location and proceeded to the end of the canyon. I found a small side trail, put on the snow shoes and attempted to bush wack about 100' straight up hill -- with very little success. After getting stuck more than once (snow shoes don't work well while bush wacking), I turned around and slowly made my way back downhill.
After this bit of shoeing, I turned around, departed Soldier Canyon and started the 4000+ feet climb to the top of Jacob City (to reach around 10,500 in elevation). As I climbed higher, the amount of accumulated snow was determined by the amount of direct sun shine and location. Some areas had well over a foot while others just traces.
The view was spectacular.
Now having reached the summit of Jacob City (Ophir), I decided to pursue a geocache on the top of Bald Mountain.
From my start location, it was a straight up climb well over half a mile one way. Seeing no snow on the initial ridge, I left the snow shoes on the ATV and proceeded up. Half-way up, an Apache helicopter flying nap-of-the-earth broke over the mountain and buzzed me. I'm sure he wasn't expecting to see a human at that location. Now having reached the first ridge (of three), I started to encounter deep snow and was regretting the decision to leave snow shoes behind.
The first ridge line at just under 10,000'
From this location, I had phenomenal views for well over 40 miles in every direction! In the snow, it was evident that deer and elk frequented this ridge. (Noted for future hunting locations).
Trip Detail:
- ATV'd: 36 miles
- Snow shoed: 3 miles (straight up and down hill through oak trees)
- Hiked: 2 miles (straight up)
- Total elevation gain: +4000'
- Starting temperature: ~17F
- Ending temperature: ~38F
- Start time: 0830
- End time: 1500
Since there was still snow on the ground, I thought I would certainly find areas where I could dismount the ATV and shoe through the higher elevations; I would not be proven incorrect in this thought.
I left home at 0730. Outside, it was a balmy 22F with ice on the ground and virtually everything in a frozen state.
I arrived at the mouth of Ophir Canyon just before 0830 and unloaded my gear. The external temperature was still near 22F - so I grabbed a sweat shirt, my baraclava and some new cold weather gloves I had just purchased.
From this location, I rode about 6 miles North to the Jacob City staging area (just outside Stockton) and proceeded to ride into Soldier Canyon.
I looped around trying to discern where the various snow packed trails would lead, but virtually all of them dead-ended or placed me at a fence marked "PRIVATE PROPERTY". After an hour of exploring, I got back on the main trail and rode through Solider Canyon.
There was hardly a living thing moving at this time of morning. It was still quite chilly and the sun was just coming over the Oquirrh Mountains.
My first discovery was an area of charcoal kiln ruins. Based on their level of destruction, I could only guess they were at least 50+ years old.
I placed a geocache to mark this location and proceeded to the end of the canyon. I found a small side trail, put on the snow shoes and attempted to bush wack about 100' straight up hill -- with very little success. After getting stuck more than once (snow shoes don't work well while bush wacking), I turned around and slowly made my way back downhill.
After this bit of shoeing, I turned around, departed Soldier Canyon and started the 4000+ feet climb to the top of Jacob City (to reach around 10,500 in elevation). As I climbed higher, the amount of accumulated snow was determined by the amount of direct sun shine and location. Some areas had well over a foot while others just traces.
The view was spectacular.
Now having reached the summit of Jacob City (Ophir), I decided to pursue a geocache on the top of Bald Mountain.
From my start location, it was a straight up climb well over half a mile one way. Seeing no snow on the initial ridge, I left the snow shoes on the ATV and proceeded up. Half-way up, an Apache helicopter flying nap-of-the-earth broke over the mountain and buzzed me. I'm sure he wasn't expecting to see a human at that location. Now having reached the first ridge (of three), I started to encounter deep snow and was regretting the decision to leave snow shoes behind.
The first ridge line at just under 10,000'
From this location, I had phenomenal views for well over 40 miles in every direction! In the snow, it was evident that deer and elk frequented this ridge. (Noted for future hunting locations).
Trip Detail:
- ATV'd: 36 miles
- Snow shoed: 3 miles (straight up and down hill through oak trees)
- Hiked: 2 miles (straight up)
- Total elevation gain: +4000'
- Starting temperature: ~17F
- Ending temperature: ~38F
- Start time: 0830
- End time: 1500
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