As is my wont, after spending time in the mountains on a big trip, I tend to begin fantasizing of the next adventure. This is precisely what occurred following my 2018 Wind River backpacking trip, which is summarized in the Backpacking section of this website.
My time is limited, with work, family, and puppies, so I can’t get away for a trip the size of the Wind Rivers as often as I would like. However, I returned from that trip with resolve to spend more time in the mountains around my home in Salt Lake City. Thus, I began to dive into maps and online resources, determining objectives which made the most sense.
I wanted to do something a bit off the beaten path. Grandeur Peak rises out of my back yard, and dominates my front-porch skyline, but I couldn’t deal with the amount of people I knew would be up there so soon after I returned from my Wind River trip. That experience exposed my roots, reminding me to dedicate a bit more energy to recharging my batteries the natural way, in the mountains. I was not particularly keen on going into the country between the two Cottonwood Canyons, either, given this variable. So I decided the Millcreek/Big Cottonwood Ridgeline was an acceptable place to go, especially if I approached from Millcreek.
I have not found a good replacement for 7.5 minute quads, or the old Department of Interior interagency maps. However, I gazed over my recreation map, and online resources, determining Mount Raymond seemed a worthy goal, given there was some height, the approach from Millcreek was challenging, and I would be able to get some good mileage under my belt.
On August 20, 2018, I went up to Porter Fork in Millcreek Canyon, to head up Mount Raymond. My plan was to catch the Bowman Fork Frail, approaching from the pass between Gobbler’s Knob and Mount Raymond, but this was based on faulty cartographic resources. It appeared to me, in the planning stages, that the Bowman Fork Trail split from Porter Fork, as suggested on the map. It showed no indication there were any cabins in the drainage. This was the first trip I tested this map, and compared it to the lay of the land. Misplaced trail and missing structures, two strikes right out of the gate.
As I strolled up the road past the locked gate on Porter Fork, passing cabin after cabin, I kept my eyes on the topography, so I wouldn’t miss the Bowman Fork Trail. I could see where, according to the map, Bowman Fork should split from the main trail. As I meandered through the woods, I grew concerned as I drifted away from where Bowman Fork merged with Porter Fork. I assumed that the trailhead must sit amongst the cabins, and I simply did not follow the correct road. I knew that Porter Fork Trail should eventually wind its way up to the pass on the west flank of Mount Raymond, and I should be able to make a summit bid from there. I abandoned my search for Bowman Fork Trail, and committed to Porter Fork.
This added significant mileage. I planned on a roughly ten mile round trip, straight up the eastern ridge of Mount Raymond. The Porter Fork Trail was excellent, and I made quick headway into the headwaters of its namesake. The mountains began to steepen, and cliffs sprang from ridges, teeth in the forest.
As I gained the pass west of Mount Raymond, the sky began to darken. Weather was moving in, and I wasn’t sure if I would have a weather window for a summit attempt. I also realized there wasn’t a good way, from my perspective, to mount a summit attempt of Mount Raymond from this angle. So I looped through Maxfield Basin, and the headwaters of Mill A Basin, to the East Ridge and my planned summit route.
I heard no thunder as I left the pass at the head of Mill A Basin, but I was acutely aware of my exposure on the flank of Mount Raymond. I prepared to turn around and begin to run at any instant. The temperature dropped, and I could feel the storm front coming in, watching it batter the Broad Fork Twin Peaks across the canyon, as I approached the first scramble of the ridge. At this point, I was already pretty tired, and was running on empty. As I scrambled through the cliff band, I started to get dizzy, bonking imminent. I passed two more small cliff bands, and stopped on a ledge wide enough to sit on and gather my thoughts.
The ability to pause is a skill I learned long ago, and has kept me safe in the mountains. Taking a deep breath and honestly assessing a situation is a necessary skill in the mountains. It is far too easy to put on blinders and keep pushing beyond the point of imminent implosion. Honestly assessing my skills, level of fitness, and the deteriorating conditions led to my decision to turn around at this point. I could have made it to the summit. But that is the halfway point. One must still get out of the mountains. I turned around with clouds blowing over the ridge, and the air pregnant with rain.
Although I did not make the summit of Mount Raymond, I did not leave empty handed. I moved quickly toward Porter Fork, as rain was falling heavy as microbursts hit. When I rounded the corner toward the saddle to drop down below the ridge, I saw that the next point west of Raymond would be an easy obtainable summit. I left my hiking poles lower on the ridge, as a mental precaution against being struck as it became apparent the lightning was coming. Point 9661 was indeed an easy summit, and the wind was blowing ferociously around me. I did not linger, and ran down the ridge, gathering my poles as I skidded through the scree.
The rain began in earnest shortly after I left the ridge. Fortunately, I was in timber for a majority of the storm, only popping out into the Porter Fork headwater meadow after it had passed. A few more miles, and I was back at my truck, tired, wet, and sore. All in all, while I did not summit, I had a phenomenal day.
On my way out of the canyon, I decided to drive up a little bit further and see what the deal was with the trailhead I was trying to find off Porter Fork. Lo and behold, the trailhead was further up the canyon, by about 3/4 of a mile or so, and tucked back much further than the map indicated. I know for future reference, when I make my return to Mount Raymond.
My partner asked what I was looking for, the night before I went to the mountains. I didn’t have a good answer for her when I left. I didn’t know what I was after. I didn’t know I was looking for anything, in particular. However, as I have mentioned elsewhere, my favorite memories of mountains always revolve around storms in the high peaks, grey clouds, and a sense of melancholic beauty. As the storm began blowing over the Broad Fork Twin Peaks across from me, I felt that sense of melancholy, that sense of reminiscent familiarity I had largely forgotten. that was what I needed. That was what was important.
Final results -
Mileage - 13.18
Time - 5 Hours 51 Minutes
Elevation Gain - 5654 feet
Starting and Ending Trailhead - Porter Fork, Millcreek Canyon
JFL
Storm rolling over Broad Fork Twin Peaks