Physical Exam

 Along with the blood work up, I had a physical exam to get ready for the trip.  Everything looks great and I have been cleared to pursue ABC!  This was really just a formality as the blood work already looked good.

Round Mountain

We managed to get out a couple times for a quick hike around Round Mountain.  This is our go to hike when we don't want to have to drive out of the valley.  I love the quiet out on this hike.  A great wind-down from our hectic weekdays.

Trailhead Elevation:  4,848 feet
Highest Elevation:  5,172 feet
Total Elevation Gain:  151 feet
Total Distance:  2.10 miles
Total Time:  48 minutes

Parriott Mesa

We were in Castle Valley for the weekend with my folks.  It was a great visit with a trip to the dinosaur tracks in the La Sals, dinner with Aunt Barbara and Turiya at the Bistro, and a couple hikes smattered in here and there.  We didn't make it too far up Parriott Mesa this visit, but as always, the views were great.

Trailhead Elevation:  4,587 feet
Highest Elevation:  5,315 feet
Total Elevation Gain:  748 feet
Total Distance:  2.88 miles
Total Time:  1:45 hours

Kamas Lake - Partial

For the second hike of the weekend, we needed something easy.  We started at Pass Lake Trailhead and hiked out a little ways to the meadow.  It was a gorgeous fall day and the leaves were turning.  We didn't quite make it to Kamas Lake, but it was nice to get out and stretch out legs before heading home.

Trailhead Elevation:  10,077 feet
Highest Elevation:  10,077 feet
Total Elevation Gain:  100 feet
Total Miles:  2 miles
Total Time:  1:15 hours

Ibantik Lake

Ibantik Lake is a gorgeous lake in the upper Uintas near Notch Mountain.  We hiked to Ibantik as a loop (and spur) from the Crystal Lakes Trailhead.  We hiked in a clockwise direction heading out on the Long Lake Trail, past Twin Lakes, with the spur up and over the Notch, down to Ibantik.  For the return, we climbed back up to the Notch and then continued on the Notch Mountain Trail, past Wall Lake, and back to the Crystal Lakes Trailhead.  This was the first time this year we were able to get a parking spot in the trailhead lot instead of hoofing it from the overflow parking area.  Heading up and over the Notch and down to Ibantik Lake was the highlight of the hike.

Trailhead Elevation:  10,008 feet
Highest Elevation:  10,600 feet
Total Elevation Gain:  1,148 feet
Total Miles:  8 miles
Total Time:  4:30 hours

Immunizations

I hate getting shots (almost as much as giving blood), but it has to be done if you plan to travel. Luckily, we had a number of shots already taken care of from our 2011 trip to Tanzania.  There were still a few we needed.  In addition to the typhoid tablets (I still need to take), here is a list of the shots I got for Nepal at the Salt Lake County Travel Clinic:

9/13/16   Hepatitis A (Twinrix combined with Hep B) - painful!
9/13/16   Hepatitis B (Twinrix combined with Hep A)
9/13/16   Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis (every 5 years)
9/13/16   Influenza (every year)
9/17/16   Typhoid (tablets)

Mount Sneffels

Mount Sneffels is a short, steep and rugged climb with some technical scrambling at the top.  The drive to the trailhead is a pretty difficult task in itself.  We ended up hiring a guide with Peak Mountain Guides out of Ouray to drive us to the trailhead and get us to the top of this challenging fourteener.  I am really glad we had a guide with us for this one.  It was a cold and windy hike through interminable talus slopes. He roped us up for the short 30' of Class 2+ scrambling near the top.  We were super happy to make it to the top.

Trailhead Elevation:  11,350 feet
Highest Elevation:  14,150 feet
Total Elevation Gain:  2,800 feet
Total Distance:  5 miles
Total Time:  7:20 hrs

Spirit Gulch

Spirit Gulch is a great hike up an old mining road.  The trail starts right off of Highway 550 just beyond the Red Mountain Pass Overlook.  The road climbs moderately in the first mile or so and crosses three creeks and a couple mine sites along the way.  Once you enter the gulch, the trail gets a little steeper as it traverses the mountainside.  The trail does not actually go to the top of the mountain (that we could readily see).  Though the rain was rolling in and we decided to call it good.

Trailhead Elevation:  10,346 feet
Highest Elevation:  12,054 feet
Total Elevation Gain:  1,700 feet
Total Distance:  6 miles
Total Time:  3:45 hrs