- Joined
- Dec 23, 2013
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- 3,715
My wife and I woke up early Saturday morning, hopped in the Jeep and headed west, to the Grassy Mountains, to hike to the high point of the range, which I will call Grassy Benchmark. The Grassy Mountains are located in the west desert roughly 70 miles due west of Salt Lake City. The range is situated between Puddle Valley on the east, and The Great Salt Lake Desert to the west. It was cloudy for a good portion of our hike, and once again there were some strong winds blowing, just like last weekend, that made it chilly when not moving uphill. Once on the summit, we took in the views and enjoyed our lunches for as long as we could stand the wind . After lunch, we headed north to the second highest peak in the range, which is unnamed. After that, we made our way down into a canyon, then on to Puddle Valley where we looped back to the jeep.
![01.jpg 01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97958-b72b242863239638fa362985c805a20e.jpg)
The Grassy Mountains dead ahead
![02.jpg 02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97959-f2bb281778941ab2d92c74653f73fbdb.jpg)
Southern end of the Grassy Mountains
![03.jpg 03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97960-be3fc92afae975e69cf2bbee8f3c93ed.jpg)
Grassy Benchmark is the high point at the center of the image - viewed from where we parked the Jeep
![04.jpg 04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97961-02adf7c438fe9a2a2d4dede515ed6784.jpg)
Solitude! The Jeep with the Lakeside Mountains to the east
![05.jpg 05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97962-da9e54f224919ab401a96758aafa8da6.jpg)
Desert Stink Beetle - @Rockskipper, I'm not sure if this means it likes me, or it doesn't? Anyway, I recited some Scatman
poetry to it, and it calmed right down.
![06.jpg 06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97963-14d651109131d9b8fc6bbdc09a21375b.jpg)
Baaaasque Country!![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![07.jpg 07.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97964-78f61b0b9e4c054c759241ed7d737307.jpg)
This dog (sheepdog?) was guarding the herd of sheep and letting us know not to come any closer.
![08.jpg 08.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97965-75c4be74af63064fef48df2ddc33682e.jpg)
Paintbrush amidst the sage
![09.jpg 09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97966-f6e69ec53c7550891509a8ef9504833b.jpg)
Badger hole. Scatman vs. badger, that might sell some tickets.![Wink ;) ;)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![10.jpg 10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97967-758efa06801b6814fff9abcd058a6c91.jpg)
Beginning some uphill hiking at this point
![11.jpg 11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97968-e6c4794c4820476cfd387d75ebea1695.jpg)
A kindred spirit since I am the black sheep of my family too.![Scatman :scatman: :scatman:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![12.jpg 12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97969-8efa600ea8ab88a3fafebf9460dd2b55.jpg)
Grassy Benchmark. We headed up the ridge directly in front of us
![13.jpg 13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97970-d9937f1007245a6dc9556ceabd9f0354.jpg)
Junipers are getting their juniper berries
![14.jpg 14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97971-541c97449a575e7f4ffa6a101fd55067.jpg)
A little butte we went by
![15.jpg 15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97972-5edfc6ce2bb29ec51a0420adc2376b60.jpg)
Spiny Phlox on the ridge
![16.jpg 16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97973-c4d1bc57fd3251b2e906a15ed2cafb11.jpg)
View to the north - unnamed peak 6157
![17.jpg 17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97974-d9ce1cd038a7fdd9aebfbc9e89406b47.jpg)
Making some progress
![18.jpg 18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97975-b8ca0e3d3f9118597f9637bcfab63ebe.jpg)
Looking back to the east and down the ridge
![19.jpg 19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97976-8dda3a5b85d55e813e9a41ed0cf67b46.jpg)
Spring Parsley, just below the summit - We didn't see very much of this compared to ours hikes on Stansbury Island and in the
Lakeside Mountains over the previous couple of weeks.
![20.jpg 20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97977-2a85f058b32cae6aa3afbbe8f8ace241.jpg)
Some collapsed old structure at the top
![21.jpg 21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97978-5067839c8c5808799fa674c73a037a68.jpg)
The Grassy Benchmark
![22.jpg 22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97980-374202651670b21ffb014b9eca718cec.jpg)
Sheila, approaching the summit
![21b.jpg 21b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97979-ec7591fb76bbc88992411457fbd54b9c.jpg)
Burger Boy needs some calories!
![23.jpg 23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97981-47e5ba9cf8f95200346a8ead92ff56bf.jpg)
View to the south down the spine of the Grassy Mountains, with the Cedar Mountains in the distance
![24.jpg 24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97982-4bdc7c31a6f10efe28a7dcb616448d87.jpg)
There was a lot of beautiful lichens up top
![25.jpg 25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97983-ec6d8dc64fb0b6e6a7126ea794782673.jpg)
Heading north, over to unnamed peak 6582, the second highest in the range
![26.jpg 26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97984-16eb26377f8375852267fc4fb7cbbe1a.jpg)
View to the northwest and Desert Peak in the Newfoundland Mountains
![26b.jpg 26b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97985-7262ef9a0a9b1d363b4b616b4008b151.jpg)
A dead juniper on the ridge
![27.jpg 27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97986-565a2553809fe50d18712ece8d2be1ff.jpg)
View of the north end of Puddle Valley - starting to get some sun in the afternoon
![28.jpg 28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97987-d0bf4b9f4b12b9ae3262d3beade24911.jpg)
Working our way down into the canyon
![29.jpg 29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97988-c2902d8f683872c1acd6a96469c8bb7f.jpg)
Looking back up the canyon, with Grassy Benchmark at the upper left of the image
![30.jpg 30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97989-593b061cd14abbc085028c57369d6a44.jpg)
Making our way along the dry streambed towards Puddle Valley
![31.jpg 31.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97990-b680e4a922106e963c668b4314b67e28.jpg)
Looking out over Puddle valley
![32.jpg 32.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97991-1427995895431c89d051ba267ea1f724.jpg)
Central Puddle Valley Guzzler
![33.jpg 33.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97992-bac00ae78c8954fa63ad8bd6bb7975c1.jpg)
View back on our route from the guzzler
![34.jpg 34.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97993-c54cbc28a1020511cdcc3161ff40d677.jpg)
Finishing the loop
![35.jpg 35.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97994-6ae49741045b57d584fa21cb09fb533e.jpg)
Couple of Puddle Valley Antelope. Peak 6551 of the Lakeside Mountains as a backdrop.
![36.jpg 36.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97995-4b8201f30b797237dfc9547f66e8a5d7.jpg)
Look at him go! Burger Boy at his finest!
The Scatsters went to the Bonneville Brewery in Tooele for an after hike meal. I had the mac-n-cheese burger
and some onions rings along with a Sir Malcolm's Stout, which was quite tasty.
The End.
![01.jpg 01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97958-b72b242863239638fa362985c805a20e.jpg)
The Grassy Mountains dead ahead
![02.jpg 02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97959-f2bb281778941ab2d92c74653f73fbdb.jpg)
Southern end of the Grassy Mountains
![03.jpg 03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97960-be3fc92afae975e69cf2bbee8f3c93ed.jpg)
Grassy Benchmark is the high point at the center of the image - viewed from where we parked the Jeep
![04.jpg 04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97961-02adf7c438fe9a2a2d4dede515ed6784.jpg)
Solitude! The Jeep with the Lakeside Mountains to the east
![05.jpg 05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97962-da9e54f224919ab401a96758aafa8da6.jpg)
Desert Stink Beetle - @Rockskipper, I'm not sure if this means it likes me, or it doesn't? Anyway, I recited some Scatman
poetry to it, and it calmed right down.
![06.jpg 06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97963-14d651109131d9b8fc6bbdc09a21375b.jpg)
Baaaasque Country!
![07.jpg 07.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97964-78f61b0b9e4c054c759241ed7d737307.jpg)
This dog (sheepdog?) was guarding the herd of sheep and letting us know not to come any closer.
![08.jpg 08.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97965-75c4be74af63064fef48df2ddc33682e.jpg)
Paintbrush amidst the sage
![09.jpg 09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97966-f6e69ec53c7550891509a8ef9504833b.jpg)
Badger hole. Scatman vs. badger, that might sell some tickets.
![10.jpg 10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97967-758efa06801b6814fff9abcd058a6c91.jpg)
Beginning some uphill hiking at this point
![11.jpg 11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97968-e6c4794c4820476cfd387d75ebea1695.jpg)
A kindred spirit since I am the black sheep of my family too.
![12.jpg 12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97969-8efa600ea8ab88a3fafebf9460dd2b55.jpg)
Grassy Benchmark. We headed up the ridge directly in front of us
![13.jpg 13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97970-d9937f1007245a6dc9556ceabd9f0354.jpg)
Junipers are getting their juniper berries
![14.jpg 14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97971-541c97449a575e7f4ffa6a101fd55067.jpg)
A little butte we went by
![15.jpg 15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97972-5edfc6ce2bb29ec51a0420adc2376b60.jpg)
Spiny Phlox on the ridge
![16.jpg 16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97973-c4d1bc57fd3251b2e906a15ed2cafb11.jpg)
View to the north - unnamed peak 6157
![17.jpg 17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97974-d9ce1cd038a7fdd9aebfbc9e89406b47.jpg)
Making some progress
![18.jpg 18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97975-b8ca0e3d3f9118597f9637bcfab63ebe.jpg)
Looking back to the east and down the ridge
![19.jpg 19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97976-8dda3a5b85d55e813e9a41ed0cf67b46.jpg)
Spring Parsley, just below the summit - We didn't see very much of this compared to ours hikes on Stansbury Island and in the
Lakeside Mountains over the previous couple of weeks.
![20.jpg 20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97977-2a85f058b32cae6aa3afbbe8f8ace241.jpg)
Some collapsed old structure at the top
![21.jpg 21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97978-5067839c8c5808799fa674c73a037a68.jpg)
The Grassy Benchmark
![22.jpg 22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97980-374202651670b21ffb014b9eca718cec.jpg)
Sheila, approaching the summit
![21b.jpg 21b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97979-ec7591fb76bbc88992411457fbd54b9c.jpg)
Burger Boy needs some calories!
![23.jpg 23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97981-47e5ba9cf8f95200346a8ead92ff56bf.jpg)
View to the south down the spine of the Grassy Mountains, with the Cedar Mountains in the distance
![24.jpg 24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97982-4bdc7c31a6f10efe28a7dcb616448d87.jpg)
There was a lot of beautiful lichens up top
![25.jpg 25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97983-ec6d8dc64fb0b6e6a7126ea794782673.jpg)
Heading north, over to unnamed peak 6582, the second highest in the range
![26.jpg 26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97984-16eb26377f8375852267fc4fb7cbbe1a.jpg)
View to the northwest and Desert Peak in the Newfoundland Mountains
![26b.jpg 26b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97985-7262ef9a0a9b1d363b4b616b4008b151.jpg)
A dead juniper on the ridge
![27.jpg 27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97986-565a2553809fe50d18712ece8d2be1ff.jpg)
View of the north end of Puddle Valley - starting to get some sun in the afternoon
![28.jpg 28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97987-d0bf4b9f4b12b9ae3262d3beade24911.jpg)
Working our way down into the canyon
![29.jpg 29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97988-c2902d8f683872c1acd6a96469c8bb7f.jpg)
Looking back up the canyon, with Grassy Benchmark at the upper left of the image
![30.jpg 30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97989-593b061cd14abbc085028c57369d6a44.jpg)
Making our way along the dry streambed towards Puddle Valley
![31.jpg 31.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97990-b680e4a922106e963c668b4314b67e28.jpg)
Looking out over Puddle valley
![32.jpg 32.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97991-1427995895431c89d051ba267ea1f724.jpg)
Central Puddle Valley Guzzler
![33.jpg 33.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97992-bac00ae78c8954fa63ad8bd6bb7975c1.jpg)
View back on our route from the guzzler
![34.jpg 34.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97993-c54cbc28a1020511cdcc3161ff40d677.jpg)
Finishing the loop
![35.jpg 35.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97994-6ae49741045b57d584fa21cb09fb533e.jpg)
Couple of Puddle Valley Antelope. Peak 6551 of the Lakeside Mountains as a backdrop.
![36.jpg 36.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/97/97995-4b8201f30b797237dfc9547f66e8a5d7.jpg)
Look at him go! Burger Boy at his finest!
and some onions rings along with a Sir Malcolm's Stout, which was quite tasty.
The End.
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