- Joined
- Jul 23, 2013
- Messages
- 1,665
A couple weeks ago, @sixstringsteve and @Tess put out an invite for any BCP members to join them, their dog, Fender, and their neighbor, Riley, on an excursion up to Lake Hardy just above Alpine. @Mike K, @WillisBodillus, and myself were delighted to join. While Willis also goes by "Will" in real life, I'll refer to him as Willis through this post to discern him from myself. 
On the trip, I had dubbed him "Big Will" since I'm a much smaller guy by comparison.
After meeting up at Steve's and settling carpool arrangements, it was on to the trailhead. It was about 6 pm when we started the hike.
Riley, Tess, Steve, Willis, & Will (me) at the trailhead. (Photo by Mike)
Steve & Willis heading up the beginning switchbacks.
Lake Hardy is a grueling gain in elevation, even for more fit and experienced hikers, so since we had a few beginners, many breaks were taken. I think these breaks were welcomed by all in the group and enabled us to become more acquainted.
The first break would be at the First Hamongog. This would bring up a discussion about what "hamangog" meant. Turns out it is something biblical that more or less means "a mountain meadow". From here we would maintain trail #176.
Steve at the wilderness boundary entering the First Hamongog. (Photo by Mike)
Breaking at the First Hamongog. (Photo by Mike)
First Hamongog. (Photo by Willis)
Committing to trail #176. (Photo by Will)
Entering the "Jungle" of 6 foot ferns and flowers. (Photo by Mike)
Riley pushing through the ferns. (Photo by Willis)
The next break would be in the neighborhood of East Hamongog where a reliable stream provided a refreshing refill for our water bottles.
Stream near East Hamangog. (Photo by Will)
Topping off the water bottles. (Photo by MIke)
Stream near East Hamangog. (Photo by Mike)
Not long after, we would encounter a steep ascent up through some scrub oak. Upon reaching the top of this stretch, the sun had set and the darkness of night had quickly settled in on us. It was time to saddle on the headlamps.
Will (me) at the top of the steep ascent of #176. (Photo by Mike)
Typically, it's no fun to have to set up camp and cook in the dark, but the cooler temps of night time were a nice trade-off as were the views of the city lights below. This next stretch would also give us the adventure of scrambling over some granite slabs, rocks and boulders. Fortunately, everybody made it up as well as they could with no twisted ankles or slips and spills.
Entering the granite zone. (Photo by Mike)
The valley below. (Photo by Mike)
Willis, Tess, Fender, & Steve. (Photo by Mike)
It wasn't until about midnight that we finally reached camp in a beautiful meadow below Lake Hardy. We all set up our various shelters, had some dinner, enjoyed some trailside cheesecake courtesy of Tess and relaxed around a fire a bit before retiring at around 2 am.
Relaxing around the fire. (Photo by Will)
Needless to say, we all took the opportunity to sleep in a bit before getting a start on the new day's agenda: Getting up to Lake Hardy, followed by a summit of South Thunder Mountain, then hitting Lake Hardy again on the way back before packing camp and heading home. The beauty of the meadow we were in couldn't be fully realized until we were greeted by the morning sun.
Morning Light. (Photo by Willis)
The Meadow. (Photo by Willis)
Our camp: Mike set up his tent and I set up my hammock on one side of the meadow while the others kept to spots across the meadow. (Photo by Will)
My DIY hammock on its maiden voyage. (Photo by Will)
Another angle of camp. (Photo by Mike)
Fender. (Photo by Mike)
Despite it being mid-summer, the high elevation kept the temps cool. Steve's neighbor, Riley, opted to stay back at camp and rest up his legs which were suffering from some painful shin splints while the rest of us made way for Lake Hardy. Flowers were also out in full force through this section between our camp and the lake.
Leaving the meadow. (Photo by Willis)
Flowers & Stream. (Photo by Will)
Flowers. (Photo by Will)
Columbine. (Photo by Mike)
Another Columbine. (Photo by Mike)
Willis with Tess & Steve in the distance. (Photo by Mike)
Bouldering up toward Lake Hardy. (Photo by Willis)
A small cascading waterfall and pool. (Photo by Will)
Approaching Lake Hardy. (Photo by Will)
Small pool beneath Lake Hardy. (Photo by Will)
Willis just below Lake Hardy. (Photo by Mike)
Once we reached the lake, Steve couldn't resist testing the waters. The rest of us chose to wait until after South Thunder before jumping in.
Lake Hardy. (Photo by Will)
Lake Hardy reflection. (Photo by Will)
Lake Hardy Pano. (Photo by Will)
After a good rest, we loaded up and headed up the ridge west of the lake where we would scramble across and over granite. This would lead us to the base of South Thunder Mountain. From there it was more bouldering with a bit of class 3 here and there all the way to the top.
Willis & Steve scrambling up to the ridge. (Photo by Mike)
Will & Tess traversing the ridge above Hardy. (Photo by Willis)
Will above Hardy. (Photo by Willis)
Lake Hardy from above. (Photo by Willis)
On the ridge above Hardy. Camp is in the meadow below. (Photo by Willis)
Scrambling over the ridge. Will in the background, Steve and Willis in the foreground. (Photo by Mike)
A downed log upon an interesting rock formation on the way up to South Thunder. (Photo by Will)
Approaching South Thunder--in the distance. (Photo by Will)
Tess ascending South Thunder Mtn. Steve & Will in the distance. (Photo by Mike)
Once we hit the top, we were greeted to an amazing 360 degree view. Lone Peak, Little Matterhorn (aka Pheifferhorn), Box Elder, Timp, among other nearby neighboring peaks could all be spotted with ease. I think Mike is a full time peak bagger while I consider myself a part-time peak bagger. Steve insists that he's not a peak bagger, but I think we got him, Tess, and Willis converted after taking in the views such a summit offers. Impressively, Fender had little to no trouble at all with the peak either.
Fender reaches the Summit. (Photo by Mike)
Will. (Photo by Will)
Representin' BCP! (Photo by Mike)
South Thunder Mtn. 11,154 ft. (Photo by Mike)
Lone Peak on the left and Upper Bells Reservoir in the lower right with SL Valley upper right. (Photo by Will)
Pano, from L to R: Timp, Utah Valley, Lone Peak, SL Valley. (Photo by Will)
We signed the register and soaked in the views for a good while. A couple of ridge runners paid a visit to the summit as well. Despite hearing some other voices making their way above our camp earlier in the morning, this would be the only people I remember encountering on the whole trip until back at the trailhead later in the day.
Summit Register. (Photo by Will)
All signed. (Photo by Will)
Once it was time to turn back, we chose to descend the boulder slide directly into the north side of Hardy rather than back down the west ridge we had come up on.
Preparing to descend back down to Lake Hardy. (Photo by Will)
Willis, Steve, Fender, & Tess on the descent. (Photo by Will)
Almost There. (Photo by Mike)
The boulder slide. (Photo by Will)
Once we arrived back at the lake, it now looked much more inviting to those of us who declined it earlier in the morning.
Steve & Fender. (Photo by Will)
Willis & Fender (Photo by Mike)
Steve & Will. (Photo by Mike)
After the dip in the lake, it was time to make our way back to camp to load up the rest of our gear and head back down to the cars. Steve had wanted to make the trip a loop hike, so he had planned for us to take trail #187, a route that is supposed to me more traveled with less vegetation to scratch at the legs. Finding it where the map stated it was proved to be a bit of an adventure however. Still, we pressed on with some bushwhacking and more bouldering and scrambling up and over a hillside to a point much higher that where the topo maps had indicated before finally seeing some cairns that put us on the trail we were looking for. From there it was a good descent down back to its junction with the trail we had taken up from the First Hamongog. Once out of the upper basin and meadows, the temps were noticeably warmer. Due to the time being much later in the day than anticipated, Mike, Willis, and myself moved ahead of the group in attempt to reach the trail head sooner since we had carpooled together. Steve and Tess stayed back to assist with Riley and ensure he got down the mountain OK.
As we got nearer to the trailhead, the sun was really pounding on us and the heat was starting to really take its toll. Willis was clever enough to improvise a sunbrella with his sleeping pad. We also encountered a rattlesnake lurking in the bushes amidst the switchback above the trailhead. Fortunately, it stayed in the bushes, though I was surprised that it never rattled at us. I suppose it felt sheltered enough to never have felt threatened.
The "Sunbrella". (Photo by Mike)
Eventually, all of us had made it down safe and sound. For just a 5-6 mile out'n'back overnighter (about 12 miles RT), we were all exhausted, but ever grateful to Steve for putting together such a trip.
This was my first visit to this area and it did not feel like most of the rest of the Wasatch I've been to.
When at Lake Hardy, with all the granite we were surrounded by, it felt like we were in an entirely different mountain range. Perhaps the Winds or even the Sierras based on photos I've seen, or perhaps even the Alps. After all, those who settled and named Alpine thought the mountains above it reminded them of the European Alps and named their town as such. I always look at photos of others' trips to high alpine ranges far and abroad with awe but I'm equally amazed and grateful to have such pockets of beauty literally just outside my front door.
Featured image for home page:
On the trip, I had dubbed him "Big Will" since I'm a much smaller guy by comparison.After meeting up at Steve's and settling carpool arrangements, it was on to the trailhead. It was about 6 pm when we started the hike.
Riley, Tess, Steve, Willis, & Will (me) at the trailhead. (Photo by Mike)
Steve & Willis heading up the beginning switchbacks.
Lake Hardy is a grueling gain in elevation, even for more fit and experienced hikers, so since we had a few beginners, many breaks were taken. I think these breaks were welcomed by all in the group and enabled us to become more acquainted.
The first break would be at the First Hamongog. This would bring up a discussion about what "hamangog" meant. Turns out it is something biblical that more or less means "a mountain meadow". From here we would maintain trail #176.
Steve at the wilderness boundary entering the First Hamongog. (Photo by Mike)
Breaking at the First Hamongog. (Photo by Mike)
First Hamongog. (Photo by Willis)
Committing to trail #176. (Photo by Will)
Entering the "Jungle" of 6 foot ferns and flowers. (Photo by Mike)
Riley pushing through the ferns. (Photo by Willis)
The next break would be in the neighborhood of East Hamongog where a reliable stream provided a refreshing refill for our water bottles.
Stream near East Hamangog. (Photo by Will)
Topping off the water bottles. (Photo by MIke)
Stream near East Hamangog. (Photo by Mike)
Not long after, we would encounter a steep ascent up through some scrub oak. Upon reaching the top of this stretch, the sun had set and the darkness of night had quickly settled in on us. It was time to saddle on the headlamps.
Will (me) at the top of the steep ascent of #176. (Photo by Mike)
Typically, it's no fun to have to set up camp and cook in the dark, but the cooler temps of night time were a nice trade-off as were the views of the city lights below. This next stretch would also give us the adventure of scrambling over some granite slabs, rocks and boulders. Fortunately, everybody made it up as well as they could with no twisted ankles or slips and spills.
Entering the granite zone. (Photo by Mike)
The valley below. (Photo by Mike)
Willis, Tess, Fender, & Steve. (Photo by Mike)
It wasn't until about midnight that we finally reached camp in a beautiful meadow below Lake Hardy. We all set up our various shelters, had some dinner, enjoyed some trailside cheesecake courtesy of Tess and relaxed around a fire a bit before retiring at around 2 am.
Relaxing around the fire. (Photo by Will)
Needless to say, we all took the opportunity to sleep in a bit before getting a start on the new day's agenda: Getting up to Lake Hardy, followed by a summit of South Thunder Mountain, then hitting Lake Hardy again on the way back before packing camp and heading home. The beauty of the meadow we were in couldn't be fully realized until we were greeted by the morning sun.
Morning Light. (Photo by Willis)
The Meadow. (Photo by Willis)
Our camp: Mike set up his tent and I set up my hammock on one side of the meadow while the others kept to spots across the meadow. (Photo by Will)
My DIY hammock on its maiden voyage. (Photo by Will)
Another angle of camp. (Photo by Mike)
Fender. (Photo by Mike)
Despite it being mid-summer, the high elevation kept the temps cool. Steve's neighbor, Riley, opted to stay back at camp and rest up his legs which were suffering from some painful shin splints while the rest of us made way for Lake Hardy. Flowers were also out in full force through this section between our camp and the lake.
Leaving the meadow. (Photo by Willis)
Flowers & Stream. (Photo by Will)
Flowers. (Photo by Will)
Columbine. (Photo by Mike)
Another Columbine. (Photo by Mike)
Willis with Tess & Steve in the distance. (Photo by Mike)
Bouldering up toward Lake Hardy. (Photo by Willis)
A small cascading waterfall and pool. (Photo by Will)
Approaching Lake Hardy. (Photo by Will)
Small pool beneath Lake Hardy. (Photo by Will)
Willis just below Lake Hardy. (Photo by Mike)
Once we reached the lake, Steve couldn't resist testing the waters. The rest of us chose to wait until after South Thunder before jumping in.
Lake Hardy. (Photo by Will)
Lake Hardy reflection. (Photo by Will)
Lake Hardy Pano. (Photo by Will)
After a good rest, we loaded up and headed up the ridge west of the lake where we would scramble across and over granite. This would lead us to the base of South Thunder Mountain. From there it was more bouldering with a bit of class 3 here and there all the way to the top.
Willis & Steve scrambling up to the ridge. (Photo by Mike)
Will & Tess traversing the ridge above Hardy. (Photo by Willis)
Will above Hardy. (Photo by Willis)
Lake Hardy from above. (Photo by Willis)
On the ridge above Hardy. Camp is in the meadow below. (Photo by Willis)
Scrambling over the ridge. Will in the background, Steve and Willis in the foreground. (Photo by Mike)
A downed log upon an interesting rock formation on the way up to South Thunder. (Photo by Will)
Approaching South Thunder--in the distance. (Photo by Will)
Tess ascending South Thunder Mtn. Steve & Will in the distance. (Photo by Mike)
Once we hit the top, we were greeted to an amazing 360 degree view. Lone Peak, Little Matterhorn (aka Pheifferhorn), Box Elder, Timp, among other nearby neighboring peaks could all be spotted with ease. I think Mike is a full time peak bagger while I consider myself a part-time peak bagger. Steve insists that he's not a peak bagger, but I think we got him, Tess, and Willis converted after taking in the views such a summit offers. Impressively, Fender had little to no trouble at all with the peak either.
Fender reaches the Summit. (Photo by Mike)
Will. (Photo by Will)
Representin' BCP! (Photo by Mike)
South Thunder Mtn. 11,154 ft. (Photo by Mike)
Lone Peak on the left and Upper Bells Reservoir in the lower right with SL Valley upper right. (Photo by Will)
Pano, from L to R: Timp, Utah Valley, Lone Peak, SL Valley. (Photo by Will)
We signed the register and soaked in the views for a good while. A couple of ridge runners paid a visit to the summit as well. Despite hearing some other voices making their way above our camp earlier in the morning, this would be the only people I remember encountering on the whole trip until back at the trailhead later in the day.
Summit Register. (Photo by Will)
All signed. (Photo by Will)
Once it was time to turn back, we chose to descend the boulder slide directly into the north side of Hardy rather than back down the west ridge we had come up on.
Preparing to descend back down to Lake Hardy. (Photo by Will)
Willis, Steve, Fender, & Tess on the descent. (Photo by Will)
Almost There. (Photo by Mike)
The boulder slide. (Photo by Will)
Once we arrived back at the lake, it now looked much more inviting to those of us who declined it earlier in the morning.
Steve & Fender. (Photo by Will)
Willis & Fender (Photo by Mike)
Steve & Will. (Photo by Mike)
After the dip in the lake, it was time to make our way back to camp to load up the rest of our gear and head back down to the cars. Steve had wanted to make the trip a loop hike, so he had planned for us to take trail #187, a route that is supposed to me more traveled with less vegetation to scratch at the legs. Finding it where the map stated it was proved to be a bit of an adventure however. Still, we pressed on with some bushwhacking and more bouldering and scrambling up and over a hillside to a point much higher that where the topo maps had indicated before finally seeing some cairns that put us on the trail we were looking for. From there it was a good descent down back to its junction with the trail we had taken up from the First Hamongog. Once out of the upper basin and meadows, the temps were noticeably warmer. Due to the time being much later in the day than anticipated, Mike, Willis, and myself moved ahead of the group in attempt to reach the trail head sooner since we had carpooled together. Steve and Tess stayed back to assist with Riley and ensure he got down the mountain OK.
As we got nearer to the trailhead, the sun was really pounding on us and the heat was starting to really take its toll. Willis was clever enough to improvise a sunbrella with his sleeping pad. We also encountered a rattlesnake lurking in the bushes amidst the switchback above the trailhead. Fortunately, it stayed in the bushes, though I was surprised that it never rattled at us. I suppose it felt sheltered enough to never have felt threatened.
The "Sunbrella". (Photo by Mike)
Eventually, all of us had made it down safe and sound. For just a 5-6 mile out'n'back overnighter (about 12 miles RT), we were all exhausted, but ever grateful to Steve for putting together such a trip.
This was my first visit to this area and it did not feel like most of the rest of the Wasatch I've been to.
When at Lake Hardy, with all the granite we were surrounded by, it felt like we were in an entirely different mountain range. Perhaps the Winds or even the Sierras based on photos I've seen, or perhaps even the Alps. After all, those who settled and named Alpine thought the mountains above it reminded them of the European Alps and named their town as such. I always look at photos of others' trips to high alpine ranges far and abroad with awe but I'm equally amazed and grateful to have such pockets of beauty literally just outside my front door.
Featured image for home page:
Last edited:
