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Peter Sinks via Stump Hollow, 29 August, 2021

The morning was cool and relatively clear after a hot and smoky week.  Only 9 hikers took advantage of this long but relatively gentle hike: Dave W, Jane, Susan, Jack, Laurel, April, Brent, Kingsley, and Dave P (leader).  Many flowers had gone dormant before last week’s rain, so only a few were blooming, especially purple aster.  Some chokecherry leaves had turned a vibrant red, but most still had green leaves. 

We enjoyed views of the Bear River Range—all the way from Mt. Elmer to Double Top.  Jack and Kingsley headed back at the drainage divide between Brush Canyon and Peter Sinks while the rest dropped down out of the forest and into the sagebrush covered basin and down to the main sink. 

Peter Sinks is nearly treeless, but it was still cool enough to enjoy lunch in the sun.  We tried without success to follow the seldom-used side path to the main Peter Sink, but we were able to pick it up on the way back to the trail.  There were numerous large burrows along the way, possibly made by badgers and marmots. 

We encountered quite a few mountain bikers on the trail, mostly muscle powered, and one group of hikers.

Trip Summary:
  • Participants: Dave W, Jane, Susan, Jack, Laurel, April, Brent, Kingsley, and Dave P (leader)
  • Drove 28 miles to the Beaver Junction Picnic Area and Winter Trailhead
  • Started hiking on the Stump Hollow Great Western Trail about 8:50, lunch at the sink 12:00 - 12:30, back at the trailhead at 3:30
  • Clear but somewhat smoky skies, calm winds and comfortable temperatures
  • Hiked 10.3 miles with 1700 feet of ascent and descent.

Thanks to Dave P. for the narrative and photos, Jane for photos and Dave W. for GPS data.
Hikers
Cache Hikers on the Stump Hollow Great Western Trail
View
We could see peaks of the Bear River Range to the west
Mahogany
Curl-leaf Mountain Mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius) covered with hairy "seeds"
Sink
Looking south over Peter Sinks, one of the coldest locations in the lower 48 states
Lunch
 		Bones
Our lunch spot near the bottom of Peter Sinks Some poor creature met its end nearby
Map
Our GPS track shows about 10.3 miles and 1700 feet of ascent.
 You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file.