Flash back to.......

August 11th 2012

On this beautiful, summer day in August,

I finally hiked to the top of Mt. Timpanogos

along with my step-dad Dan, and brother Trevor.

Mt. Timp, as the locals call it, 

is the 2nd highest mountain in the Wasatch range.

The summit of Mt. Timp. is 11,749'

Everyday when I look out my kitchen window I see Timp.

It was calling to me and I could resist no more.

I knew I had a hiking buddy just a phone call away.

My step-dad Dan is part mountain goat.

He hops, skips and  jumps, up the mountains.

I got hold of him.

We planned the day.

And last minute Trevor joined us.

A few of these pictures have been borrowed, 

because most of mine where not adequate.

Me and the boys spent the night at my Moms

that way she could watch them for me.

Matt would come pick them up after he got off work.

The plan was to be hiking by 7am.

It was more like 8 or so when we actually

began our accent by way of the Aspen Grove Trail.

This pic was taken at 8:52 am.

Trevor and I  have no idea what is in store for us.

To me- this was halfway to the summit.

I really had a false sense of  hope here.

We were hiking along great,

 felt like we should be getting close.

Came around the bend and....

Boom!

was hit in the face with this!!!!

East face of Mt. Timp.

We hiked to the saddle.

That was difficult but I was still in good shape.

Trevor was suffering major blisters and sore legs.

Dan, nothing phases Dan. 

I didn't even see the man sweat!

Steep switchbacks all the way to the steel shack at the summit.

This part of the hike was really rocky, but cool. 

Felt a little like a castle walls.

Had my second sense of false hope here.

You climb up through a steep crack,

feels like you are climbing stairs to the top of a castle tower

where you land on the glorious summit of Mt. Timp

but once again......

big fat nope!

You can see that tiny little point sticking up 

at the end of the ridge. 

Yup, that is our final destination.

Took us around an hour to reach the summit from the saddle.

But we did it and holy freakin' awesomeness it was!!!!

It is indescribable.

Pano from the top, showing the steel shack and the valley below.

Looking out over Utah County.

I called Matt from the top
and told him to go outside and wave
 at me because I was waving at him.
So somewhere in this picture
is a teeny tiny Matt, waving up at me!

I made it to the Summit Building.
Woo Hoo! Feels amazing!
Too bad I look insanely horrible.
But I just hiked my butt off,
what do you expect?

My awesome brother Trevor. 

You made it Trev!!! You killed big Timp!

We reached the top at 11:56am

Dan showed his special spot he always

goes to when he hikes Mt. Timp.

We ate lunch and rested for 30 min.

And no we did not sign in.

We have more respect then that. :)

Looking out towards Jordanelle Reservoir.

Trevor was was amazing during this hike.

He would mention the kind of pain 

he was in but I never once saw him

struggle or even slow down.

Looking back down to Emerald Lake.
The hikers down below look like ants now.

 This hike seems to have it all-

and alpine lake just below the summit,

a small glacier, waterfalls along the trail,

high alpine meadows with beautiful wildflowers,

even mountain goats-

though we did not see any today.

Trevor, Rachelle & Dan
On our decent.
We stopped at the small shack at Emerald Lake
 (directly below the Summit)
One of the rangers took this group shot of us.

Looking back up main canyon.

So proud of us and so ready for my shower. 

This is an awesome hike people!

I challenge you all to get out there and hike.

It's beautiful and challenging.

The view at the top is worth the sore legs.