Hiking Alexander Basin / Gobblers Knob

Pictures And Story Submitted By Dj Nebula Of SLC

Back To Mill Creek Canyon Hiking Trails

In the book Hiking The Wasatch; It says "One of the steepest trails in the Wastach", it's not lying. From the trail head, the trail goes straight up at a really steep grade to the first switchback. We required a 5 minute rest after the first hill because we were torn up by the sheer angle of the hill. Then we moved on through the switch backs to the first meadow, which was surrounded by Aspen trees, Fire brush, and Indian Paint Brush wildflowers.

Looking up the next ridge gave us a indication of what we were up against. Steep once again to the ridge top. Once up there, the view started becoming more vivid, and the top of the basin is more exposed to view. We of course had the cameras out and were goofing off taking pictures. On the next ridge; where we decided to stop and eat some lunch; Cliff Bars, String Cheese, Fruit Snacks, and Pistachios were in order to refuel because it was not over yet. The basin is beautiful; preserved in its natural state, minus the hiking trail.

Now it is onto the climb to the saddle and then to the top of gobblers knob. The first hill to the trail up the side of the basin is really steep, slick and drops off pretty far.  Be careful on this part because a slip could lead to injury. Once at the top of this hill, you will see a trail heading straight up the side of the basin at an insane 60% grade for 1000 feet. It is surely one of the steepest foot paths to a saddle I have ever seen. After the lug up the hill to the saddle, which provided a back to back view of Mill Creek, and Big Cottonwood, with Little Cottonwood on the skyline.  We turned right and followed the path along the ridge to Gobblers Knob. Gobblers knob is 10,242 feet high, according to the USGS marker placed on the mountain top and is listed 28th of the top 32 highest peaks over 10,000 feet in Salt lake County.