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Help Selecting a SLC Peak

PostPosted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 5:48 pm
by Sarah Simon
Hello knowledgeable Utah mountain people (particularly those in the SLC area):

As some of you know, I work for a company headquartered in South Jordan, Utah. I have been tasked by my executive leadership with a neat request - to identify a peak for our small team (7 of us) to hike in the SLC area! Here are some of the constraints / ideal traits of this peak:

1. Something reasonably-fit people could complete in 4-5 hours.
2. Less than 1 hour's drive (1-way) from South Jordan.
3. No technical gear needed (this includes no crampons, no axes).
4. Snowshoes are OK - we can always rent from REI in South Jordan / Sandy.
5. 2 of us will be flying to get to the quarterly meeting and cannot carry super-heavy (or bulky) cold-weather gear (I will fly from Colorado Springs, my co-worker from Newark!), though our employer is willing to rent boots / warm gear for those of us from out of town if required.
6. Thought the schedule isn't in concrete, we are looking at late January. (I know Rocky Mountain weather, whether you're inter-mountain or front-range, is hit or miss this time of year...there could be sub-zero temps and a blizzard or mid-60s and sunny.)
7. Needless to say, the peak needs to be publicly accessible - I'm not getting a whole Chevy Suburban full of good BYU grads (plus two Jesuit university - Georgetown and Xavier - grads) arrested for trespassing on company time.

The purpose is for the team to achieve a summit together - to climb to the top, to celebrate, to reach our goal. (Then, I guess we go to a restaurant and toast Diet Cokes afterward, in true BYU fashion...) :lol:

Our worst-case back-up plan would be the climbing gym next to the REI S. Jordan / Sandy, but we'd really prefer the chance to get outdoors, instead. I have Frary Peak (Antelope Island) on the list as a possibility. (The drive is a bit far and the 6.5 mile RT hike could stretch our time allocation.) I've even thought about snowshoeing one of the lower mountains near Park City (then stinking up the Stein Eriksen afterward for supper) :P .

What other peaks come to mind?

I really appreciate your ideas and thoughts!

Re: Help Selecting a SLC Peak

PostPosted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 6:50 pm
by byates
Gobblers Knob,snowshoes required, but check currant avalanche conditions, Olympus if it hasn't snowed for a few days, snowshoes generally not nessasary unless there has been recent heavy snow. Grandeur Via either Church for or the West Ridge, this a safe peak if avalanche conditions are tricky, snowshoes only needed near the summit. All of the local trails will have icy areas unless there is very fresh snow, highly recommend poles, Yak Tracks or Katoola Spikes come in extremely handy. If the High country has gotten nailed by snow recently Frary Peak the high point of Antelope Island is a great alternative, about an hour from South Jordan with a 9 dollar per vehicle state park fee.

Re: Help Selecting a SLC Peak

PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 5:43 pm
by Mooner
I'd suggest Mount Olympus. You don't need snowshoes and with the new snow HOPEFULLY the trail wont be sooo icey, if it is I'd recommend Microspikes. I consistantly complete Mount Olympus in 4 hours but I am moving pretty good. I'd say a regular group would take maybe 5 hrs. It does have a bit of a scramble to the summit block just pass the saddle, I dont know if that will be a problem for your group. It is a steep trail and strenuous but a great Mountain to climb. If Mount Olympus isn't your cup of tea I would go for Mount Grandeur which is a great peak and much easier with Great Views.

Re: Help Selecting a SLC Peak

PostPosted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:15 pm
by Sarah Simon
Thanks for the suggestions thus far.

Olympus looks great, but a 7 mile round-trip with 4,200 feet of gain with a 3rd class finish is more than I can ask of my non-mountain obsessed colleagues in January. July would be another story.

Challenging my colleagues is good. Killing them all would be bad form and probably a CLM (Career Limiting Move).

So far Frary Peak is in the lead, and that was on my original list (per original post), anyhow.

What else?

Re: Help Selecting a SLC Peak

PostPosted: Sun Jan 08, 2012 12:08 am
by byates
Grandeur would be my pick after giving it more thought, West Ridge trail doable in 4 hrs ( I do it round trip 2.5 hours) with the west sun exposure snow is not normally a problem except the final 1/4 mile on a north facing slope, even though steep it is well used so snow gets packed down. If anybody needs any supplies an REI is a 3-4 minute drive from the trail head. The Church Fork trail is easier with low snow but without snowshoes the final .5 miles would be very post holey. It would be visible from your South Jordan location weather permitting. Great views of the Salt lake valley and other peaks. I get on the trail about once a week, summit once a month so I generally stay abreast of current conditions. I'm only a ten minute drive from the trailhead if you need any last moment info I should be able to get it for you.