Naomi Peak, 17 June, 2018
Six hikers turned out for the Naomi Peak hike, originally planned as a summit of Cherry Peak (we may make Cherry Peak an optional destination for the Sept. 16, 2018 Mount Naomi hike).
We car-pooled up to Tony Grove for a 9 a.m. start with perfect cool temperatures and partly cloudy skies. We progressed up the Mt. Naomi Peak NRT (National Recreation Trail) with frequent stops to photograph the scenery and identify the abundant wildflowers. This was an early season hike and we encountered quite a bit of snow at elevations above 8000 ft. The group stopped for a food break at the waterfall at about 11:15 then continued to climb towards Naomi. There were several snowfields to cross which made things interesting, and a fox was spotted on a snow field as we neared the ridge. Two hikers turned back before reaching the summit.
Four of us continued to climb, crossing more snow and reaching the wilderness boundary sign and views of Cherry Peak and Cache Valley. Shortly thereafter (12:45 p.m.) we reached the summit and stopped for a proper lunch and to photograph the awesome views. We then returned down the trail, crossing the snow once again with short stretches of glissading. On the way down we met several groups of hikers that we knew and stopped to chat.
The group arrived at Tony Grove parking lot at about 4 p.m. under darkening skies. We returned to Logan about 5 p.m.
Trip Summary:
- Participants: Dave W., Jane, Dan (leader), Kathy C., Dave P. and Kathy T.
- Drove 29 miles to Tony Grove
- Started hiking about 9:00 with a break from 11:15 - 11:30 and lunch on the peak from 12:45 - 1:20
- Back at Tony Grove about 4:00 and Logan about 5:00
- Unsettled weather, cool and mostly cloudy with occasional nearby showers and distant thunder (but no rain on us)
- 6.5 miles with 2000 feet of ascent and descent
Thanks to Dan for the narrative, Dan, Dave W., Dave P. and Jane for photos and Dave W. for the GPS data.
NOTE: Many of the flower identifications are tentative. Please email bridger@xmission.com with any corrections.
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| Starting out on the Naomi Peak Trail | |
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| The quartzite "staircase" | A snow-covered trail |
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| Fox on the snow below Naomi Peak | |
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| We had to go up this steep snowy slope to get to the ridge | At the wilderness border, overlooking Cherry Peak |
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| Cherry Peak view | Lunch on Naomi Peak |
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| Something is living in this hole! | Alpine avens, Geum rossii |
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| Townsendia alpigena (?) on Naomi Peak | Gordon's Ivesia, Ivesia gordonii |
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| Alpine buttercup, Ranunculus adoneus (left) and kittentails, Synthyris pinnatifida (right) | |
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| Utah buttercup, Ranunculus jovis | Naomi wildparsley, Musineon naomiense |
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| Windflower, Anemone multifida | Glacier lily, Erythronium grandiflora |
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| Lomatium | Colorado columbine, Aquilegia caerulea |
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| Rock Clematis, Clematis columbiana | Hairy Clematis, Clematis hirsutissima |
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| Pine violet, Viola purpurea | Wild onion, Allium |
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| Indian paintbrush, Castilleja | Serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia |
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| Returning to Tony Grove at the end of our hike | |
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| Our GPS track shows 6.5 miles and 2000 feet of ascent and descent | |
You can look at our route using: Google Earth, the various map and aerial views of Google Maps or download our GPS file. |
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