It's a double-edged sword, though, as such easy access has made it MUCH harder to find the solitude that a several-hour drive to the Sierra used to get me. I started reading this board again given that we're moving back to CA this summer and after reading so much about Mammoth's snowfall (the last time I skied there was when they had 5% of normal snowpack, though I also fondly remember the 2010/2011 winter).
In appreciation of the environment I'll be returning to, I thought I'd leave some shots from the most crowded mountain range I've hiked where many, maybe most, places have overflowing parking lots after 10 AM on a weekend, even earlier for popular places like Mt. Timpanogos. Here, I've used my imagination and a little (ok, a lot of) effort to pretend I'm in an unspoiled (or at least less-spoiled), off-the-beaten trail environment like I used to be in the Sierra. I've posted these pics on "other" websites during my time here but am putting them on this board for "other" mountain ranges (as it states in the board's description) in case anyone here finds themselves in the Wasatch and needs a (very) tiny taste of the High Sierra. Remember to use your imagination if you come out to the Wasatch (Uintas are a different story).
- After detouring a couple of miles from the virtual freeway of the Red Pine Lakes trail, you hit Lower Maybird Lake below the Pfeifferhorn. It wouldn't be shocking if over 50 people stood on that summit throughout the day.
- This is the southeast-south-southwest view from The Obelisk. As long as you don't look any further left towards Snowbird and its tram tower/summit station, any further right towards Salt Lake City, or behind you towards Little Cottonwood Canyon's access road, it'll feel nice and isolated. I was also seeing people on Pfeifferhorn's summit, and not just a few at some points (was on The Obelisk for a while). In fairness, I was the only one on The Obelisk.
- Arguably my favorite view during my time here was from Timpanogos Basin. I did have some moments to myself here, but later in the day I'd stand on the summit with probably 30 other people at one time. Additionally, the summit has a triangulation station covered in graffiti with a view of urban sprawl. From here, though, it looks great! Just use your imagination and pretend it's unspoiled.
- Another pic with Timpanogos Basin looking pristine with the same crowded, graffiti-covered, urban sprawl-straddling summit as the other Timp Basin photo.
- In Alexander Basin, the wildflowers are gorgeous. Just don't try to focus too hard on the horizon where civilization is visible, not to mention that access is from the most crowded canyon I've ever been in (Millcreek Canyon, worse than Grand Canyon's south rim or Yosemite Valley).
- Hidden Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon is pretty cool. I was alone for a little bit which was nice. It's just that I was a matter of yards away from Big Cottonwood Canyon's road, not far from overflowing parking for the trailheads on the other side of the canyon.
- If you only look in this direction, the afternoon light hitting the peaks looks great from the summit of Mt. Millicent. Just don't look down, to the left, or behind you to avoid seeing a dam, a ski area, or a crowded Silver Lake, respectively.
- Mt. Nebo and its awesome fall colors are right next to a major scenic byway with cities immediately below it on the other side. I was able to escape the crowds, but could still hear the passing cars.
- A bit below the summit of Mt. Olympus is a nice view of Broads Fork Twin Peaks in a relatively vast landscape. A few steps from here, however, is a view of an Interstate freeway.
- Silver Glance Lake felt pristine for a bit when I had it to myself (after two dudes were done swimming with their dogs). However, it's not far from a couple of reservoirs (only a couple of miles), not to mention the hazy air quality of the Provo/Salt Lake City area seen in this pic. That background massif is Timpanogos.
- The green hillsides and flowers are also scenic from the summit of Gobblers Knob. Just don't look any farther left towards Solitude and Brighton and try to ignore the fact that some of those distant peaks are part of Alta/Snowbird. At least the clearings in the center are avy paths, not ski runs.
