Cedar Bench, Cedar Mountains Wilderness- November 3, 2017

scatman

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I made a trip out to the Cedar Mountains with an old backpacking friend yesterday to hike up to the high point along the range and hopefully get a glimpse of the wild horses that call the wilderness home.

We left Salt Lake at 7:00 am, drove west on I-80 to the Aragonite exit, then proceed to work our way south about 15 miles until we reached a stock pond on our left. At this point, we turned left onto a Jeep road that led up a draw. Since we were in a two wheel drive vehicle, we could not make it all the way up the road to where there is an open level spot to park. This added roughly a half mile to the hike.

After walking up the road, we then proceeded of trail to gain the ridge to our south. Once on the ridge, we followed it all the way to the crest. When I reached the crest, I headed south to Cedar Bench on a horse trail. At the top, I scanned the ridges for the feral horses as I ate my lunch, but I couldn't spot the herd.

The views, in all directions were spectacular and I stayed up top for about forty minutes before returning the way I had come. Once back at the van, we were going to pull slightly forward and then back down the Jeep road for about 25 yards to a place where we could turn around. Unfortunately, we pulled a little to far forward and when we tried to back up the driver's side rear tire dug into the soft ground. It took us a while to finally mage to get out, but I suppose that's part of the adventure.

I'm afraid I have to blame @Cuberant for this excursion. After hiking up Deseret Peak the previous Sunday because of his excellent trip report, I looked over to the west and thought, "I wonder what those mountains are like?" I believe this may be the "Domino Effect". Someone needs to put my leash back on me! :D

CB_01.jpg
Head south along the Cedar Mountain Road at this Wilderness sign

CB_21.jpg
Turn left off of the Cedar Mountain Road just beyond this chute at the livestock pond. The Jeep road cuts across the hillside just above the right side of the chute.

CB_02.jpg Walking up the Jeep road

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The flat area just before the jeep road starts heading up the hill is where those with 4WD can park. At this point, we are heading up the hillside to gain the ridge

CB_04.jpg
View to the north
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A look to the west down the Jeep road.

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Plenty of sign of the horses along the ridge

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Another view off to the west

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Hard to see because of the sun, but you want to hit the crest to the right of the distant hill

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At the saddle I got my first view to the east of Skull Valley and the Stansbury Range.

CB_10.jpg
View to the south from just above the saddle - The first sight of Cedar Bench

CB_11.jpg
Almost there.

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View to the north along the range

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View to the south along the range

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Storm clouds over Deseret Peak to the east

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The Wildcat Mountains to the southwest

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Closeup of the Wildcat Mountains

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Bench Mark on top

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Previously burned Juniper on the crest

CB_19.jpg CB_20.jpg
View to the north on the way back down the ridge

CB_24.jpg
Dug in while trying to back up
 
I’ll accept partial responsibility but I agree the domino effect can be a tough addiction to beat :)


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Looks great! There's so much stuff I want to see out in the West Desert, but I always settle for stuff that's closer. This motivates me!
 
Looks great! There's so much stuff I want to see out in the West Desert, but I always settle for stuff that's closer. This motivates me!

Some interesting possibilities in the West Desert. I'd like to return to the Cedars in the Spring to check out Gabby's Peak. It would be nice to see them while the grass is green with the possibility of some wild flowers and maybe I'll get lucky and see the horses next time.
 
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