The Great Ben Lomond Hike

When we first moved to Utah from California, my mom took us up to North Ogden to see the house that my great-grandfather built, waaaay up on the hill.  She told us that at the time, it was the only house up there.  Nestled on the hill right up against the great Ben Lomond, the backyard made way to orchards and looked over all of Ogden.  She told me how my great-grandpa Blaylock would ride his horse up and over the North Ogden divide into Liberty, and how he made countless treks up to Ben Lomond Peak, where there was a flagpole and a box with a register for those adventurous enough to climb the steep mountain.  He had made these trips his entire life, and his father had also done the same.  My mom used to look through her binoculars as a child and she could make out the U.S. Flag topping the great peak.  She has many fond memories of this house, and though Grandpa Blaylock died relatively young, she has passed on many stories to us of the Naval Officer who traveled the world, but called North Ogden home.

Ben Lomond Peak as seen from North Ogden

I remember the first time I looked up at that great peak, beautiful, majestic, and looming.  There is something so intriguing about this peak among all other peaks in Utah - it called to me.  I don't know if its because of the stories of my great-grandfather, because of its empowering beauty, or simply just because, but that first time I set eyes on the Great Ben Lomond Peak I wanted to be up there, looking down at all of Ogden and see what my great and great-great grandfathers saw.  

I was about 12 years old when I decided this.  Unfortunately for me, I had been diagnosed with asthma about 3 years before, and was on chronic inhaler therapy.  My poor weak lungs could not handle aerobic activity, much less the elevation gain I would encounter while climbing the majestic Ben Lomond.  I set this desire in the back of my mind, but every time my attention drew northward, my eyes settled on the peak, and the wishing/hoping/waiting continued.  

I journeyed through school and went on to college, not thinking too much about this dream I had of climbing Ben Lomond.  I think a part of me had decided it would never be possible, so I settled for staring at it from below, enjoying its grandeur from the ground.  I enjoyed hiking along the Bonneville Shoreline trail with my mother, and occasionally with friends, at a slow even pace that allowed us to explore without losing our breath.  

Later, as my journey through life continued, I found my way to fitness and better health, ultimately kicking my asthma to the curb.  (This story can be found under the Journey to Health and Fitness tab of this blog, if you want to know more).  Last summer, I took up hiking again off and on, just as something fun to do on the weekends, but didn't really think much of going anywhere with it.  As my lungs continued to gain strength through running, a new fire burned in my heart, and last August, I decided I would climb to the peak by the end of THIS summer, giving me a year to prepare, and prepare I did!  

I have spent the better part of this summer hiking all over the mountains in my backyard, to include Malan's Peak, the Indian Trail, Taylor Canyon, Adams Canyon, Waterfall Canyon, Snow Basin, and the Bonneville Shoreline trail from Rainbow Gardens.  In June, I scheduled the Great Ben Lomond hike to take place on August 11.  We decided to take the Skyline Trail, which starts from the North Ogden Divide and climbs up along the spine all the way to the peak, stretching 8.2 miles one way.   

August 11, 2012 was a gorgeous summer Saturday.  Our group of 6 started bright and early, and the morning was cool and damp, making a great start to our trek.  We were all excited and full of energy, and we carried plenty of food and water in our packs.  We slathered on the sunscreen and began our journey.  The trail started out shaded as it switched back along the mountain side, and we stopped occasionally to snap a few pictures of the beautiful morning.  

In the Parking Lot, Ready to Go!

Looking Over Liberty as the Sun Comes Up

We continued our trek north around the backside of the mountain, alongside Liberty.  Gorgeous tall pines shaded the trail with an occasional glimpse of the open fields and green valley quieted by the early morning hours.  The trail eventually opened into a meadow, and we continued to make our way up along the backside of the mountain's spine.  After heading north for a ways, the trail switched back, and as we came around the corner, we caught our first glimpse of Ben Lomond since starting the trail, about 4-5 miles in:  

Ben Lomond Peak, with Willard Bay in the background

It was absolutely stunning.  Words cannot quite express the awe, joy, and anticipation I felt in that moment.  All I could do was stop and stare.  The trail now continued North again, still along the spine, but on the opposite side.  We now had views of the entire valley, and could see everything!  Willard Bay, the Great Salt Lake, and the cities lining the Wasatch Front, all the way down to Layton with Antelope Island and beyond.  

Looking South from the hillside with East North Ogden in the foreground

We stopped multiple times along the trail at this point to take in the breathtaking views...

The trail continues northward and eventually comes to a peak of sorts, where we stopped for lunch.  There were red ants everywhere, so we hung our packs on what we creatively dubbed "The Backpack Tree".    

The Backpack Tree

Feeling refreshed after our break, we continued along the trail, which wound along the backside for a moment before making it's way back to the ridge.  At this point, the slopes started to become really intense, and the ridges that make up the face of Ben Lomond were striking.  We stopped for some adventurous pics of our feet dangling off the edge before continuing.  

If it's dizzying to look at, imagine how we felt sitting there!!  :)  

We made our way off the ridge and back into a meadow of sorts, edging our way closer and closer to the peak, which still seemed too large to traverse!  Our moods were carefree and easy, just enjoying the sunshine and beauty around us, and dodging the more than occasional dirt bike that zoomed past us on the trail, kicking up dust in its wake.  

Hiking through the meadow with Ben Lomond Peak to the left

At this point, we came to a junction, where the multiple trails that head to Ben Lomond meet, marked by a wooden sign that had been carved years before.  It was barely legible, but let us know we were close!  Only 1.5 miles left to the peak!  

Let's Do This!  Me with Ben Lomond in the background

From here, the dirt and rocks covering the trail we were on turned from brown to a beautiful greyish-purple.  I'm not sure what the reason is for that but we thought it was pretty neat.  :)  At this point, the trail started to climb very quickly.  The last 1.5 mi to this is definitely the hardest.  We pushed each other, complained to each other in a joking but probably a little bit serious manner, and kept a pretty good pace to the top.  The trail starts to switch back pretty drastically about 3/4 of a mile in, and at this point you're climbing the backside of the peak.  The trail is really rocky and it would be easy to lose your footing, so you have to be careful.  There is not a lot of vegetation other than the occasional brightly colored flower:  

I pushed and pushed, and I will admit it got really hard for me.  I had done amazing with my breathing up until this last climb, and the elevation started to fight with my lungs.  I had to take twice as many breaths as my counterparts, and I started to stop about every 50 feet to catch my breath.  It was frustrating, but I pushed through it.  As such, I was the last one to arrive at the peak.  Not only did the trail take my breath away, but the beauty of what I saw combined with the realization that yes, I did it! took my breath away as well.  I stopped, standing alone on the west side of the small peak and took it all in for a few moments.  

Dustin captured my emotional first moments on the peak

I was absolutely overcome with joy.  I was now standing where my great and great-great grandfathers had stood, and seeing the things they saw.  (Well, obviously I was seeing more, as things have changed!)  I shed a few tears as I thought about the journey to this moment in time, and I gave thanks for it.  It's a moment I will remember forever.  

We enjoyed another lunch on the peak and took a few fun pictures of our group:  

Dustin and I taking a break on the rocky peak :)

The views from the peak were incredible, to say the least.  We could see Ogden, Willard Bay, Willard Peak (which is super close - another 2 mi hike from here) and Logan and Eden Valleys.  

Looking down on North Ogden and the Wasatch Mountain Range with Mount Ogden Peak rising up in the distance

The box that used to hold the register is still on the peak, with remnants of the old flag pole my mom talked about.  I was a little disappointed that there is not any sort of current register, just a few notebooks.  So we signed those to leave some sort of mark on the peak.  :)  

Me signing the small notepad in the box

 

The Plaque on the box gives a history of Ben Lomond Peak

No trek is complete without group photos, so the following session ensued:  

Our group with Cache Valley in the background

We then decided that Logan and Cache Valley needed to see the moon... ;0) Being upside down on a mountain top takes perspective to a whole new level!  

The journey down was a bit difficult, not technically, but mentally.  We knew we still had another 8.2 mi to go, and by this time the sun was high in the sky.  Most of the hike is in full sun, so we went through our water supply pretty quickly trying to stay cool.  We picked up the pace and eventually made it down, giving us a total time of 9 hours for 16.5 miles.  We took frequent breaks and 2 long breaks for lunch, so we figured a little over 2 mi per hour is pretty darn good for a bunch of amateurs!  

This was an incredible experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.  My only words of advice would be to make sure you are physically fit enough to hike 16.5 mi before you try it!  Take plenty of water and wear lots of sunscreen.  I would recommend a small group over just a couple of people, but either way I think it would be fun.  Keep a light heart and have a tough mind, and you'll love it!  

~ NAMASTE ~