A little history first.

North and South Thunder Mountain sit roughly one mile apart on a rugged granite ridge high above Hogum Fork to the east, and The Thunder Bowl and Bell Canyon to the west. The Thunder Bowl area is a very prominent feature of the Wasatch Range in the Lone Peak Wilderness area when viewed from most angles of the Salt Lake Valley. Both summits do not see many ascents, as more popular summits are located both to the east and west of these peaks. Long rugged approaches seem to guard both of these summits from getting many visitors.

Ever since moving to Salt Lake City in 1978 from Wisconsin when I was only 5 years old, the incredible Wasatch Mountain Range has caught my attention as it towers over 6,000 feet above the valley floor to the east. Since that young age my eyes have always been drawn to them, and the rugged summits that adorn to crest of the range. My Dad took me to Lone Peak when I was nine years old, and Mt. Timpanogos the following year. Being on those peaks was just the beginning.

Once I got my driver's license I made frequent trips up the Wasatch to hike and explore. Three years following that my younger cousin Dave and I spent the summer and fall of 1993 bagging peaks throughout the range.

In 1995 my Uncle passed away after reaching the summit of North Thunder Mountain, making his way down Coalpit Gulch. After almost 13 years of living only in the shadows of the Wasatch, the desire to get out and hike and climb started again. One of the first summit attempts was to re-trace his route up Coalpit Gulch, there is a trip report on that one here. We did not summit on that trip, and promises were made to my family members to not attempt that route again after spending 18 hours on the Coalpit Route.

However North Thunder Mountain and it's sister summit South Thunder have been goals, which have now been met. North Thunder was summitted May 7th of this year, and South Thunder the following week on May 14th. The snow conditions have been prime to reach these peaks and though the approaches to both peaks have been somewhat longer than other routes, via Bell Canyon, they have been worth it. Bell Canyon and the Thunder Bowl area are incredible places, absolutely worth visiting. Both North and South Thunder Mountain are Salt Lake County Highpoints over 11,000 feet. South Thunder Mountain ranks #8 at 11,154 feet, North Thunder ranks at #9 at 11,150 on that highpoint list. It was incredible to stand on the summit of North Thunder Mountain, my Uncle's last peak.

Every photo has one of the summits in it or was taken from either summit, many different angles of these unique peaks.

On with the photos.