- Joined
- Dec 23, 2013
- Messages
- 3,761
Well, I needed to get some hiking in this Labor Day, and I decided to give Grandeur a go from the west side. I also needed a hike that would get me back in time to grill some burgers for the holiday. I haven't hiked up the west slope route in four years and it is a pretty steep trail that will get your heart beating from start to finish.
![01.jpg 01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68598-5f3343ed3f67a60af9be8dfadc1d603f.jpg)
Info sign at the trailhead that didn't have a lot of info about Grandeur Peak.
![02.jpg 02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68599-fbdacef5558720f16fa76b9bf54d1588.jpg)
Early morning shot of the Dragon's Tail Ridge - My preferred route to the top
![03.jpg 03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68600-43d21e3411313d58f314d1293c063831.jpg)
Do you know what that building is in the center of the image? That's right, REI! You know what that means don't you?
![04.jpg 04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68601-34c2e94da5f8a49cd9ea8cb03c04804d.jpg)
Steep right off the bat and it doesn't let up
![05.jpg 05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68602-9f4e22a34cdcfe9dd29471bba928b0ac.jpg)
First glimpse of majestic Mount Olympus to the south
![06.jpg 06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68603-ee684d3851b7dd2cab14af42df7012f1.jpg)
The ridge to the left is where I'll be coming down (less steep and not as tough on my left knee while descending)
![08.jpg 08.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68604-aac0e93e0a29600025648aa9f2575d8f.jpg)
Another shot of Dragon's Tail to the south
![09.jpg 09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68605-fa0b5cc30a6e424baf856f4355b88fc3.jpg)
Sunlight hitting Parley's ridge and Parleys Canyon
![10.jpg 10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68606-3fc6f13c3937144b65619a448aeee814.jpg)
Yes, REI is still there, using its gravitational pull to try and lure me down.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![11.jpg 11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68607-fbbf12e4339a53a629a99e164361b3b7.jpg)
Somebody left their hat along the trail. I think it said, "Make Grandeur Peak Great Again."![Eek! :eek: :eek:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![12.jpg 12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68608-058425a4d6d2aa8d43b8067f45285f36.jpg)
Parleys Ridge and Perkins Peak (high point along the ridge)
![13.jpg 13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68609-73c0f8fe788886b44876b35ccbd30a52.jpg)
Lots of Mountain Mahogany along the trail and you'll get to enjoy them with me.
![14.jpg 14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68610-59a8efd076a772519591427105927d68.jpg)
Beautiful
![15.jpg 15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68611-d145e1d73b3cbe2379366e90cd670df6.jpg)
Even more!
![16.jpg 16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68612-dee9cc73680e5ef62814bd658e7f5be0.jpg)
One more?
![17.jpg 17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68613-76edf49652d9146a78ff5b951518f9cb.jpg)
Last one? Oh, there is that REI again. I'm weakening.
![18.jpg 18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68614-80c1533d2768b0ae42d80678306ad797.jpg)
The full view of Mount Olympus
![19.jpg 19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68615-a29a6330208be65f3c6449f7a3f5e010.jpg)
On top at last! @Rockskipper and @LarryBoy, this is the closest I could get to a pineapple.
![20.jpg 20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68616-88c450b0a8bc7f4d48aeed3539ae5f46.jpg)
Mmmm tasty. The people taking my picture thought that I was crazy. :twothumbs: Look at how much I was sweating. It's a good thing this pineapple is so nutritious.![Disagree :disagree: :disagree:](/addedsmilies/nah_disagree.gif)
![20b.jpg 20b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68617-9033be0782035817e2bc4beb461c30b9.jpg)
Kettlebell - Oops, I mean pineapple
![26.jpg 26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68618-a45bf070dd1f64b3d9e933e0393d5b57.jpg)
Mount Olympus through the eye of a kettlebell. And for my next trick.........
![21.jpg 21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68619-c66e384a600d5e1573cd305f8cb0e397.jpg)
Two summits (Church Fork Peak and Mount Aire) through the eye of a ordinary kettlebell. I'm rolling now!
![22.jpg 22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68620-9f02383bd68be9a31100b9d81a8fec91.jpg)
More Mount Olympus
![23.jpg 23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68621-b140e193c1efcc729e806bf7b6560f64.jpg)
A small fire up Millcreek Canyon just south of Elbow Fork
![24.jpg 24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68622-dca7aabc5d2da1913eec9daa96dfc71e.jpg)
Blue M&M and the original Coke Zero, not the new Coke Zero Sugar crap. It really pissed me off when they made that switch. Maybe I should come out with Scatman Zero. What do you think?
![25.jpg 25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68623-04888ba789e3d78042fd28e3d1a3f796.jpg)
Mountain Dell and Little Dell Reservoirs in the distance
![27.jpg 27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68624-8ec5b80d61d5e56587832e939a511a09.jpg)
The lone conifer on this side of the mountain
![28.jpg 28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68625-b7281940b208236c633a1d7cd1414955.jpg)
Fooled ya! Another Mountain Mahogany. Psst., if you look closely, you can see the wicked REI.
![29.jpg 29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68626-9b91b23d6d7c0286687395a13c0b702e.jpg)
Lots of dried up Mules Ear along the way
![30.jpg 30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68627-dc6fd73d6b1447394b315e0803d683a0.jpg)
I just love the golden grass on the hillsides
The goods. Well, the black hole REI finally pulled me in. A new dry bag from REI.
![32.jpg 32.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68629-8c15a83829d546d0a568198a0a5901c5.jpg)
Long before Scatman there was Burger Boy!
![33.jpg 33.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68630-5d8e085afc78ba32d1e34f435a0076cf.jpg)
And no burger is complete without a smooth Porter to wash it down. Yum!
Well, I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day and remember to make Grandeur Peak great again.![Cry :cry: :cry:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![01.jpg 01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68598-5f3343ed3f67a60af9be8dfadc1d603f.jpg)
Info sign at the trailhead that didn't have a lot of info about Grandeur Peak.
![02.jpg 02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68599-fbdacef5558720f16fa76b9bf54d1588.jpg)
Early morning shot of the Dragon's Tail Ridge - My preferred route to the top
![03.jpg 03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68600-43d21e3411313d58f314d1293c063831.jpg)
Do you know what that building is in the center of the image? That's right, REI! You know what that means don't you?
![04.jpg 04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68601-34c2e94da5f8a49cd9ea8cb03c04804d.jpg)
Steep right off the bat and it doesn't let up
![05.jpg 05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68602-9f4e22a34cdcfe9dd29471bba928b0ac.jpg)
First glimpse of majestic Mount Olympus to the south
![06.jpg 06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68603-ee684d3851b7dd2cab14af42df7012f1.jpg)
The ridge to the left is where I'll be coming down (less steep and not as tough on my left knee while descending)
![08.jpg 08.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68604-aac0e93e0a29600025648aa9f2575d8f.jpg)
Another shot of Dragon's Tail to the south
![09.jpg 09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68605-fa0b5cc30a6e424baf856f4355b88fc3.jpg)
Sunlight hitting Parley's ridge and Parleys Canyon
![10.jpg 10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68606-3fc6f13c3937144b65619a448aeee814.jpg)
Yes, REI is still there, using its gravitational pull to try and lure me down.
![11.jpg 11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68607-fbbf12e4339a53a629a99e164361b3b7.jpg)
Somebody left their hat along the trail. I think it said, "Make Grandeur Peak Great Again."
![12.jpg 12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68608-058425a4d6d2aa8d43b8067f45285f36.jpg)
Parleys Ridge and Perkins Peak (high point along the ridge)
![13.jpg 13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68609-73c0f8fe788886b44876b35ccbd30a52.jpg)
Lots of Mountain Mahogany along the trail and you'll get to enjoy them with me.
![14.jpg 14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68610-59a8efd076a772519591427105927d68.jpg)
Beautiful
![15.jpg 15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68611-d145e1d73b3cbe2379366e90cd670df6.jpg)
Even more!
![16.jpg 16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68612-dee9cc73680e5ef62814bd658e7f5be0.jpg)
One more?
![17.jpg 17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68613-76edf49652d9146a78ff5b951518f9cb.jpg)
Last one? Oh, there is that REI again. I'm weakening.
![18.jpg 18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68614-80c1533d2768b0ae42d80678306ad797.jpg)
The full view of Mount Olympus
![19.jpg 19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68615-a29a6330208be65f3c6449f7a3f5e010.jpg)
On top at last! @Rockskipper and @LarryBoy, this is the closest I could get to a pineapple.
![20.jpg 20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68616-88c450b0a8bc7f4d48aeed3539ae5f46.jpg)
Mmmm tasty. The people taking my picture thought that I was crazy. :twothumbs: Look at how much I was sweating. It's a good thing this pineapple is so nutritious.
![Disagree :disagree: :disagree:](/addedsmilies/nah_disagree.gif)
![20b.jpg 20b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68617-9033be0782035817e2bc4beb461c30b9.jpg)
Kettlebell - Oops, I mean pineapple
![26.jpg 26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68618-a45bf070dd1f64b3d9e933e0393d5b57.jpg)
Mount Olympus through the eye of a kettlebell. And for my next trick.........
![21.jpg 21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68619-c66e384a600d5e1573cd305f8cb0e397.jpg)
Two summits (Church Fork Peak and Mount Aire) through the eye of a ordinary kettlebell. I'm rolling now!
![22.jpg 22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68620-9f02383bd68be9a31100b9d81a8fec91.jpg)
More Mount Olympus
![23.jpg 23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68621-b140e193c1efcc729e806bf7b6560f64.jpg)
A small fire up Millcreek Canyon just south of Elbow Fork
![24.jpg 24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68622-dca7aabc5d2da1913eec9daa96dfc71e.jpg)
Blue M&M and the original Coke Zero, not the new Coke Zero Sugar crap. It really pissed me off when they made that switch. Maybe I should come out with Scatman Zero. What do you think?
![25.jpg 25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68623-04888ba789e3d78042fd28e3d1a3f796.jpg)
Mountain Dell and Little Dell Reservoirs in the distance
![27.jpg 27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68624-8ec5b80d61d5e56587832e939a511a09.jpg)
The lone conifer on this side of the mountain
![28.jpg 28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68625-b7281940b208236c633a1d7cd1414955.jpg)
Fooled ya! Another Mountain Mahogany. Psst., if you look closely, you can see the wicked REI.
![29.jpg 29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68626-9b91b23d6d7c0286687395a13c0b702e.jpg)
Lots of dried up Mules Ear along the way
![30.jpg 30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68627-dc6fd73d6b1447394b315e0803d683a0.jpg)
I just love the golden grass on the hillsides
![31.jpg 31.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68628-cd6cdeb50dc3ef3588492752b7c72961.jpg)
![32.jpg 32.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68629-8c15a83829d546d0a568198a0a5901c5.jpg)
Long before Scatman there was Burger Boy!
![33.jpg 33.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/68/68630-5d8e085afc78ba32d1e34f435a0076cf.jpg)
And no burger is complete without a smooth Porter to wash it down. Yum!
Well, I hope everyone had a nice Labor Day and remember to make Grandeur Peak great again.
Last edited: