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Hiking
Alexander Basin / Gobblers Knob Pictures
And Story Submitted By Dj Nebula Of SLC Back
To Mill
Creek Canyon Hiking Trails 
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For Larger Picture
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. 
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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. 
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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. 
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The
views of the Salt Lake Valley to the west, the Tri-Canyons (Millcreek, Big
& Little Cotton wood) were outstanding. It really felt like you could
touch the clouds. Our decent was quick but harsh, with steep hills to get
you down and daylight was fading. This trail goes on the "More
Difficult" list for sure. It really is a great place that I will
visit again and You Should Too. 
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Information and Directions From
the Mill Creek Canyon pay station the trail head is 7.8 miles. Distance
to Alexander Basin - 1 1/2 miles Elevation
Gain To Alexander Basin - 1640 vertical feet Hiking
Time - 2hrs 6 min - from trail head Distance
to Gobblers Knob - 2 1/4 miles Elevation
gain to Gobblers Knob - 3086 vertical feet to 10,242 feet Hiking
Time - 3hrs 14 min from trail head. |
