Last weekend I finally hiked to Lone Peak, the highest peak behind our home. We started at 4700 feet of elevation and ended at 10,500. I went with 3 friends from Oracle and quickly realized what I'd been missing. The other 3 people were Patrick Davies, Steve Karafiath, and Julie Karafiath. Steve and Julie just moved to Utah and have already hiked to Lone Peak twice. We left at 6:30 in the morning and reached the cirque at about 1pm. Patrick is a very accomplished mountain runner, so he and I decided to run down. What at mistake! After about an hour of downhill running my 38 year old knees couldn't take anymore, so I had to walk. Patrick, on the other hand, was able to run the whole way. He's 51 and a great example of staying fit. All in all it was a great day. The weather was perfect. I'll definitely do this hike again. It really made me appreciate what I have right in my backyard.

There's a small structure called the Outlaw Cabin that we passed at about 9300 feet. Apparently the cabin has been there for decades. I'm not sure who built it or why but it had some survival supplies that people had left. Patrick said that two lost hikers spent the night there a couple of years ago and it saved their lives.

Utah Valley in the background

Lone Peak is the highest point in the background

Patrick with Salt Lake County in the background

A Day at the Park

Macy (aka "Cake")

Parker and Zac

Aly getting her handstand on...

Is she really going to try an aerial?

Oh no....

The old lady still has it. I haven't figured out if this picture is funny, amazing, or freakish.


Aubrey (aka "Baby") trying to be like Mom

Summer

Moab - Fall 2008

On Thursday afternoon, five of us loaded up our bikes and headed to Moab for the annual Fall trip. JD and I represented Utah, and Chris Matson, Pieter Knight, and Clay Shubin came from Denver. Thursday night we ate at Pasta Jay's. JD lost at credit card roulette and was stuck with the $150 tab. We camped up at Salt Flats by Slickrock and our tents were hammered by the wind all night. Needless to say, we went with the hotel on Friday night. On Friday, we rode a great trail called Bull Canyon. It was recommended to us by the owner of Coyote Shuttles and our old friend, Christie, drove us to the trailhead. It was about 17 miles long and passed by Gemini Bridges. It was a great ride, and we all enjoyed it. JD took a pretty good spill and almost face-planted into a Yucca. The views were great. On Friday afternoon we rode the entire Slickrock loop on tired legs but it was a fun end to a great day of riding. We also did some fourwheeling on Baby Lions Back and Hell's Revenge.

Chris Matson, Steve Ellis, Clay Shubin, Pieter Knight, JD Jeppson at the trailhead of Bull Canyon.

Before our Friday rides, we made a quick trip up Baby Lions Back

Breakfast at the Moab diner. Buckwheat pancakes and lots of eggs. Matson sucked down his usual Red Bull to take the edge off the bad night of sleep.





































Gemini Bridges