lostlandscapes
rope mule
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2012
- Messages
- 328
What has become something of a winter tradition of mine, drclef and I set off for Broads Fork last weekend. Mixed terrain, diverse geology, open vistas, and grand views of one of the Wasatch's most spectacular cirques makes this destination one of Northern Utah's best.
View larger map.
Approximately 1.5 miles into the 3 mile jaunt, the landscape transitions from thick, mixed conifer forest to open meadows of aspen and willow. Looking back to the north, that's Big Cottonwood Canyon with a Wildcat Ridge backdrop:
![8455.jpg 8455.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8162-dc26deec8d266ed73ff4843604dcf9dc.jpg)
The hike gets "real" within the last half mile of the cirque. This baby gets steep! Twin Peaks in the distance:
![8475.jpg 8475.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8163-0d6772ba15a94458202d2b7117ba0a7c.jpg)
Ski tracks filled the valley and some of the taller gulches and couloirs. This is the vantage from our turnaround point. From left to right, we have Dromedary, Sunrise, and Twin Peaks. Broads Fork is a great jumping point for summit junkies.
![8550.jpg 8550.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8164-688f3298a9a59058b40076a948326a30.jpg)
Instead of following our tracks and the beaten path right back to the trailhead, we decided to explore the eastern part of the valley a little bit. Here's looking northeast towards Mt. Raymond and Gobblers Knob:
![8645.jpg 8645.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8165-58c0199aede8d3c69c7033059e3c15af.jpg)
For how beautiful aspens can be in autumn, I actually find them even more enchanting in the winter. This was one of my favorite little sections of the route, taken moments before drclef succumbed to gravity and took a graceful little face plant into the snow![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![8663.jpg 8663.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8166-b214d6b840b5d0b3c46576fa385236ec.jpg)
At only 6 miles round trip and a gentle 2200' of elevation gain, this is a magnificent winter trek that fans of the Wasatch shouldn't miss!
Featured image for home page:
![slide.jpg slide.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8169-12b3fe99ba3e859c5b71a35316566f27.jpg)
View larger map.
Approximately 1.5 miles into the 3 mile jaunt, the landscape transitions from thick, mixed conifer forest to open meadows of aspen and willow. Looking back to the north, that's Big Cottonwood Canyon with a Wildcat Ridge backdrop:
![8455.jpg 8455.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8162-dc26deec8d266ed73ff4843604dcf9dc.jpg)
The hike gets "real" within the last half mile of the cirque. This baby gets steep! Twin Peaks in the distance:
![8475.jpg 8475.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8163-0d6772ba15a94458202d2b7117ba0a7c.jpg)
Ski tracks filled the valley and some of the taller gulches and couloirs. This is the vantage from our turnaround point. From left to right, we have Dromedary, Sunrise, and Twin Peaks. Broads Fork is a great jumping point for summit junkies.
![8550.jpg 8550.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8164-688f3298a9a59058b40076a948326a30.jpg)
Instead of following our tracks and the beaten path right back to the trailhead, we decided to explore the eastern part of the valley a little bit. Here's looking northeast towards Mt. Raymond and Gobblers Knob:
![8645.jpg 8645.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8165-58c0199aede8d3c69c7033059e3c15af.jpg)
For how beautiful aspens can be in autumn, I actually find them even more enchanting in the winter. This was one of my favorite little sections of the route, taken moments before drclef succumbed to gravity and took a graceful little face plant into the snow
![8663.jpg 8663.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8166-b214d6b840b5d0b3c46576fa385236ec.jpg)
At only 6 miles round trip and a gentle 2200' of elevation gain, this is a magnificent winter trek that fans of the Wasatch shouldn't miss!
Featured image for home page:
![slide.jpg slide.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/8/8169-12b3fe99ba3e859c5b71a35316566f27.jpg)