Carving my path: Mt Nebo - Triple Summit Report

“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” 

― Henry David Thoreau

The past couple weeks I have found myself in a funky mood.  I think between post 'Ironman Blues'  (yes, it is for REAL) and some unexpected changes with friendships, I've been having a hard to being the positive Christie that I usually am.

So-   Being 'off-season' I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to take Sr. Thoreau's repeated 'single footsteps' advice and revisit the highest peak on the Wasatch Front.  

Mt Nebo is comprised of 3 main peaks.  In order to complete the 'Triple Crown,' you need to summit each one. Elevation range 6500-11,900, 7700 gain, ~19 miles   

'South to North Route'

We started bright dark and early at Andrew's Ridge trailhead.  

The trail leading up to the south peak immediately starts out steep.  We were with headlamps for the first few miles and managed to wonder off the trail for ~.5 mile.   

This meant hacking through some scrub trees and thorny bushes.  (Hate that!!!)

Yes I am still sporting my IM Wristband :D

Once we worked our way up the switchbacks to the ridgeline, all three peaks were in clear view.  Summiting the south peak is not technical whatsoever but it is steep and you can feel the lack of oxygen.  

Signed our names in the book at the top and headed for #2. 

We traversed along the west side of the ridgeline.  This area had a few scree-covered slopes to ascend/descend... nothing too bad.  A little bit of snow here and there as well.  

I remember back in 2012 being pretty dang scared of falling down the cliff on this section.  This time I was nowhere near as nervous.

 At the top of #2, we spotted a group of massive mountain goats.  Sweet!!

Last year, we took the west trail to reach the final summit.  Today, we decided to make our way to the top of North Peak staying right on top the Ridge/slight East side.  

It felt great making it to the top of the final climb!

 Highest point on the Wasatch Mountains

After having a lunch break, we started our descent.  It is a little rocky.  

Nothing difficult enough to be called 'scrambling' though.  

 Once down that initial drop off, all the hard work was done.  It was just clicking off the miles back to the car... step after step after step.  

After we hit the Monument Trailhead, we walked under a mile on the road before dropping down (more bush beatings to the body, yikes!) to the river bottom where there is a well defined trail (Salt Creek). This area along the river is freaking gorgeous!  Full tree coverage, saw several deer, quiet and peaceful.

  

Really great day! Finished off with a huge high five with my dad!!  I think it is funny how drained you can be after something like today but also recharged at the same time.  

..I approached the bottom of this massive mountain feeling small and down.  After several steps forward and several positive thoughts, I left feeling optimistic and higher than Mt Nebo!

xoxo 

Mt. Nebo Triple Summit Report

Mt. Nebo

'Triple Crown Peaks'

Pointing to the Top

Mt. Nebo is the highest peak in Utah County/Wasatch Range, hitting an elevation of 11,928. 

September 30th 2012 my father and I decided hike the Nebo Triple Summit.  We drove to Nephi the night before so we could get an early start. 

Our plan was to traverse the triple crown peaks from South to North.

We started about a quarter of a mile before Andrew's Ridge Trailhead at 10 to 7am, elevation 6,471.  The morning was a perfect 47 degrees.  The trail leading up to the south peak is well defined and very steep.  The scenery in this area is absolutely stunning. 

We ascended through several switch-backs until we hit the top of Andrews Ridge.  Greeted with a sign directing us to take right.   

Once you get to the ridge line all three peaks are in clear view.  The trail to the South Peak was the easiest - not technical what-so-ever; but the elevation starts to get to you after passing 10,000 feet.  The temperature once on the ridgeline was changing from hot to freezing!

On South Peak looking to the next two to summit

Summited South Peak and time to move to the middle peak.  We traveled along the west side of the ridgeline... This is where I started to get a little nervous :) There were not many large rocks to scramble around, but from the south summit to the north summit, there were steep scree-covered slopes to ascend/descend.

(Moving your way to the top of #2, look for a cairn which marks the safest way to reach the top) 

 From the top of middle peak we again headed west of the ridgeline to make our final assent to North peak

On top of Middle Peak - looking at North Peak

Finally made it to the top of #3.  Saw some other hikers.  Had a little break for fuel, pictures, and to write in the log book.  Views were amazing.  

The decent from North Peak down to Wolf Pass again was not very technical, but steep and more of the sharp slate rocks.  At this point the sharp rocks were being felt by the bottoms of my feet.

Worked our way down to the North Peak Trailhead (Monument Trailhead). 

At this point we walked on the actual road for about .25 of a mile, then dropped down into Salt Creek Trail to make our final descending loop back to the car.

Salt Creek Trail is very well defined and gorgeous.  Full tree coverage, so it is not hot and there is sounds coming from the creek which you follow all the way down the trail.  I was very tired during this section so I didn't appreciate this section as much as I should have.   

Final Stats:
Miles: 19.58
Total Elevation Gain: 8150
Total Time: 12 Hr 10 min (includes lunch/breaks/etc)

** Suggestions:
- If you are attempting all 3, definitely start at South peak and work your way to North
- Start at the actual trail head (Andrews Ridge Trailhead)
- End your day with a full moon and drive through Payson Canyon - STUNNING in the fall