Gobblers Knob

Weak Name, Strong Peak

We started our hike up to Gobblers Knob on the Alexander Basin Trail up Milcreek Canyon. It was a great day for a hike. Overcast, crisp fall air, our dogs were in good spirits, great friends and all the determination to hit not only this peak, but Mount Raymond Peak also; so that was the plan! The trail started off steep and immediately the mind started to doubt the body’s ability to follow through, however my will power is strong and overcame the loud feeling of “Can’t” with good conversation, and one foot in front of the other and an occasional self mind conversation like “What kind of lame name is ‘Gobblers Knob’?” (By the way it got it’s name from the turkeys that the old miners used to keep for up there for food). I’m sure there are steeper hikes but come on, this is my second peak. It didn’t help that the dogs paraded up and down the trail in an almost insulting show of arrogance for their stamina. Regardless of how steep it seemed, the trail was swallowed by beautiful forest, under over-turned trees and colors of autumn.




The steady elevation gain of the basin was a comforting change. It was short lived by what was a head of us. The climb from the basin, was for me, the highlight of the hike. Sure it was steep but it had so many different elements that I had yet encountered. For starters there was snow. About 3” in some parts. All that snow had caused the trail to become muddy. And who doesn’t like getting all muddy. It’s like when a baker has flour all over him and immediately you think “WOW, he must have been baking his heart out”. I was getting muddy, a sign that I was getting down and dirty hiking my heart out on this trail. Large rocks were the other obstacles. Being as steep as it was, the rocks provided great footing, and then there was the fog! It added an ambiance to the hike that was eerie yet enticing. A little touch of eerie adds a little mystery as to what’s next. The dogs sure enjoyed the snow, rocks and mud. Poor stitch is so low to the ground that he had no choice but to eat mud.


All that struggle was overshadowed by the arrival on the saddle and view out to Little Cottonwood Canyon. You couldn’t see many peaks as they were covered by that day’s clouds. It still was an awesome sight. Looking east, I could see where the treck continued up towards the peak. However, you couldn’t see the summit because of the thick clouds, which was breathtaking but at the same time my thoughts were, “Is the peak right at that cloud cover or are we going to shake Zeus’ hand?”. Took a deep breath and hiked on. Towards the top, the trail dissipates and you have to make do with a little scrambling.


When we finally made it to the top, the clouds had made their home on that peak. It was so cold that the moisture from the clouds would freeze on the needles of the pine trees ever so meticulously. We stopped for rest and LUNCH!! Tuna fish sandwich with egg and grapes HECK YA! Poor stitch (my Schauzer-Dachsund mix) was shivering. We continued to the peak from the west side towards Raymond Point and the Bowman Fork Trail. It was a great hike down. The fog would come and go, and sights of old twisted trees dotted the view. By the time we had gotten to the saddle, my IT Band gave me a big middle finger and said “NO WAY”. I was bummed to say the least. The decision was made to continue on the Bowman Fork trail down to the trailhead(It meets up with the Alexander Basin Trail). As we made our way down, you could see the awesome flat stone of Mount Raymond. Oh, Mount Raymond flipped me off too.



Bowman Fork Trail is gradual and a great scenic hike. With aspens of every color (being fall) it was beautiful. At times, my IT Band hurt so bad that I would walk like Frankenstein as to not bend my knee. I endured my pain and pushed along. Bowman Trail is a lot more gradual than Alexander, and just as scenic. Highly recommended.


All in all, despite the pain, it was a great hike. So many different elements that it made it worth the treck to the top without a view of the bottom.

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