2007 Northern Rockies Road Trip continued (Page 3)

Finally coming to Pocatello, ID, I found a trail system by my directions, and tried to discern which one was Kinport Peak (7,222'). I had no maps, and very little showed this as a recreation site. I picked a hill to hike, and dirt roads led me up to a view of the town (top photo).

Wishing I had more time, I hiked back down to try for a cheap motel room. I had been unable to make reservations by the Net, with the cheaper rooms full. I had another breakfast for dinner, then finally decided to motor on.

It was getting late. I came to a highway rest area by Malad Summit, ID, and shortly fell asleep. I woke up at 2:30 a.m., and felt much better.

On my way along Interstate 15 south, again, I found my way to Logan, UT. Killing time, I had iced coffee and food, then headed to the trailhead for Naomi Peak, the highpoint of the Bear River Range. Highway U.S. 89 leads to a paved side road to Tony Grove Lake, and I took the peak trail at about dawn.

The summit trail climbs gradually up, and soon I was at a signed wilderness boundary and pass. An obvious side trail goes left, then shortly to the top. I summitted in 2:15. This would be my last peak for this trip, although I had later thoughts for another peak, in the Ruby Mountains, the next day. I enjoyed the vistas, as usual, and then started down to meet many other hikers coming up. It was now a weekend, Saturday the 11th.

I walked about the lake, once back to the car, and this trailhead parking had the only USFS, or what, day use lot fee that I paid for, on this trip. I did spend a bit for city parking, too, but had never used, or needed, my national park pass.

It was back to Logan for more iced coffee and food, then it was south on U.S. 89/91 to Interstate 15. I passed by my past peak hikes, of Ben Lomond and Lewis Peak. Should I try to motor home, this night?

Coming to Salt Lake City, I thought to get some finer dining, and rest. I had the choice of climbing so many Wasatch Range mountain peaks, but found a new shopping mall (second photo right) to explore and photograph. Trying to save with an hour of free parking, I had no time for dining, so motored on to Interstate 80 west. If I had felt good, I could be home by 2 or 3 a.m. But, I hoped for cheap lodging in Nevada.

Crossing the salt flats, I stopped at a rest area to get this view of distant Pilot Peak (below). In Wendover, the rates were boosted high for the weekend, so I motored on. Wells, NV, was full, so I got some caffeine, in my diet soda drink, to not fall asleep while driving. I succeeded in finding a reasonable enough room rate in Elko, so relaxed there. I washed up and went out for soup. I'd be home, relatively early, the next day.

So, Sunday, the 12th, I got my morning drink and sandwich, and zoomed west. This was old hat. Most of the past highway construction was done, so the drive was fast. I noted what else was new, and came home by mid-afternoon.

I hiked roughly 30 miles with over 8,000' gain, total. Capturing some 3,450 digital images, with two movie clips and several sound files, and a roll of Kodachrome as film back-up, I drove almost 3,200 miles, and spent roughly $750, total. Using about 79.5 gallons of fuel (about 40+ mpg average), gas was usually about 3 dollars a gallon, being some 2.799 locally (then 2.699 the next day!) when I returned back home. My digital voice recorder better helped keep my spoken notes, and my memory cards all worked well.

I needed and used mosquito repellant in only one place, in the evening at Bruneau Dunes State Park. No ticks, at all. I didn't really need my sleeping bag, reclined in my car seat, it being so mild at night. I wore just shorts and T-shirt most of the time, and drank lots of icy cold liquids. Used my a/c quite a bit. Sunscreen was good to have, and even just driving during the day made my face red.

Seeing an elk, I also saw plenty of deer. No bears at all, and I never heard coyotes. Not a lot of chipmunks or squirrels, either.

This successfully and safely completed my 2007, big summer adventure, unless someone comes forward to team up for another trip somewhere. Now, I have fulfilled my major, solo, sightseeing goals for much of the Pacific West, with now, mainly, more obscure, or lesser, peaks to climb.

I visited parts of six states, and added six peaks to my count. Crossing the Continental Divide twice, I would have preferred more exercise, but, hiking solo, I was content with what I had done. Due to the wavering time zone lines, I had to change my clocks four times.

I plan now for a return to Southern Utah and the Las Vegas area to enjoy more fall colors, depending on how the transition goes, and to hike what I had missed the year before. Although now, I hope to gain some local companions, and climb a bit more, back in the Sierra.

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