Our Labor Day Weekend was packed with boating, babysitting, catching up with some photographer buddies, and attending the Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship. Yet, the weather was so pleasant that not hiking a mountain would have been borderline insanity. So, we decided not to be nuts and seek a summit on the holiday. After debating a few options, we settled on climbing Gobblers Knob, a 10,246-foot peak that can be accessed via Big Cottonwood Canyon or Millcreek Canyon.

Even though this was a nearly-last-minute hike, Jason and I were joined by a group of family. We’d heard that this trail gets pretty packed. Since we were expecting a circus, our six-member party began trekking from the trailhead in Big Cottonwood Canyon at 8:00 AM to avoid the worst of the crowds. But we didn’t encounter a circus or even a carnival. Maybe there are a lot of insane people out there?

The hike to Gobblers Knob is fairly short, 7.4 miles, but portions are strenuous. The first third of the climb is somewhat intense, and the ascent from the saddle is even more so, gaining 910 feet in less than a mile. It was steep enough that one member of our group saw spots on a few occasions, perhaps even polka dots?

The top of Gobblers Knob, strangely enough, was covered in ladybugs. Swarms of them coated the rocks and filled the sky like buzzing rain. Ladybugs are nice. Who wouldn’t love them squeezing in ears, sneaking down shirts, and biting legs? (Yes, ladybugs do bite.)

Jason and I were able to convince even the most tired amongst us, spots and all, to take a half-mile detour to Circle All Peak on our return journey. The panoramas from this apex were surprisingly good considering its height of only 8,707 feet. You could see Gobblers Knob and Kessler Peak prominently.

It took us about nine hours to conquer the Knob. The weather was every bit as pleasant as forecasted with the afternoon sun only cooking small portions of our return hike. Good thing I’m sane enough to know a fantastic hiking day when the Weather Channel tells me I see one.

In recent years, my family has hiked together every summer, a tradition initiated mostly by me. Before school commenced this fall, one last trek was requested by some of our kin. That hike ended up being Bald Mountain in the Uintas. Due to some health emergencies and unforeseen laziness, our group got condensed. Regardless, it was a fantastic outing with entertaining company, memorable refreshments, and gorgeous views.

Bald Mountain is a quick hike, its 11,942-foot apex notwithstanding. Only 2.6 miles and 1,145 feet of elevation separate trekkers from its flat top. It took us about three or four hours to make the complete journey.

Once we reached the summit, we were in no hurry to leave. The views were spectacular with over 20 lakes and the points of the Uintas’ majestic zeniths encircling us. The only downside to the top? Despite the beautiful August day, temperatures were in the 40s and a 20 MPH wind kept zinging us.

Exploring strange new worlds is kind of my thing… well, mine and Captain Kirk’s. I loved checking out Provo River Falls on our return drive. These falls look so much like stairs it’s hard to believe they were made by nature and not a work crew. I didn’t even know that Provo River had waterfalls. Look what I’ve learned!

We stopped at Oakley’s Road Island Diner on our way home. Its yummy shakes and sandwiches were an integral part of my trail-bribing scheme, a successful stratagem. Our drive back became a “name that tune” war. Little-known gems from the 80s and 90s were played in succession as we all tried to prove our knowledge of obscure and archaic music.

Bald Mountain was a fine excursion indeed. I’m a happy camper when I’m in the mountains… even when I’m not camping.