This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. Why? Not so sure, but it seems strange to live close to this range and never explore it at all. I watch the sunset daily over these peaks and I don’t even know what Oquirrh means.
If you’ve been hanging out here much you already know I post too many pics and these are long outings for both of us. Oh well, here we go for another round, you might want to pace yourself.

Topo of the route. I travelled from North (I-80) to South (Butterfield Canyon).

Topo of the route in red. Travel was from North (I-80) to South (Butterfield Canyon).

Sunrise on West Mountain.

Working out my own car/moto shuttle, I ditched the truck on West Mountain and took to two wheels.

The moto makes self supported solo adventures easy.

The moto makes self supported solo adventures easy.

I drove down Butterfield Canyon, though Toole and into the town of Lake View.

I found a good spot to lock up the bike and begin the hike.

I found a good spot to lock up the bike and begin the hike.
Crossed some tracks and barbed wire on the way out of Lake Town.

Started off at 7:40 by crossing some tracks and barbed wire .

Nice steep warm up following an old pole line.

Nice steep warm up following an old pole line.

Just opening your hand would land you one of these guys.

Just opening your hand would land you one of these guys.

Tried to move quick and get off the valley floor before it got too hot.

Tried to move quick and get off the valley floor before it got too hot.

Taking in the nice views of the Great Salt Lake

Taking in the views of the Great Salt Lake

Beauty all around

Beauty all around

At this point it Oquirrh-ed it would be a long hot day.

At this point it Oquirrh-ed it would be a long hot day.

Looking South at two of the taller peaks, Kessler and Farnsworth.

Finally up on the ridge and looking South at two of the taller peaks, Kessler and Farnsworth.

No trails really, just bushwhacking and scrambling so far.

The first leg of the route from moto to Kessler Peak.

The first leg of the route from moto to Kessler Peak.

Should have brought my walkman.

Farnsworth summit, should have brought my walkman.

Once I hit Kessler there were some old jeep roads that led to the radio towers. It was nice to pick up the pace and make some progress in mileage. I was 4 hours in when I hit Farnsworth Peak.

I miss winter too!

I miss winter too!

There was a newly graded road that descended the other side of Farnsworth.

They must have smelled cricket on me.

They must have smelled cricket on me.

Found this and ate it. Don't really remember much after that.

Don’t remember much after eating this!

Shade, rehydration and product placement.

Shade, re-hydration and sponsors logo placement.

Entered one of the few wooded areas along the way.

This section was try to follow the deer paths.

This section was try to follow the deer paths.

Oquirrh=Land of many wildflowers?

Oquirrh=Land of many wildflowers?

Broke out onto a rocky and barren ridge at this point.

Stopped at this oasis and packed the water bottles full of snow.

Stopped at this oasis and packed the water bottles full of snow.

I brought 4 liters for the day. This was the only water source I found and I was able to add an extra liter. I would have been hurting if it hadn’t been here.

Summit of Nelson Peak. Anybody know what this is?

Summit of Nelson Peak. Anybody know what this is?

6 hours in, I figured this was the halfway point.

Looking South from the halfway point of Nelson Peak.

Looking ahead at what’s to come.
This could really come in handy.

This could really come in handy.

Couldn't find the keys though.

Couldn’t find the keys though.

Another nice old road grade descended South off Nelson.

Another nice old road grade descended South off Nelson.

The road didn't last long and it was back into the wild.

The road didn’t last long and it was back into the wild.

Some serious bushwhacking without even deer trails to follow.

Some serious bushwhacking without even deer trails to follow.

I called it the forbidden zone.

Maybe Oquirrh means the forbidden zone.

I really thought about turning back, or crying. But, there was nowhere else to go and I couldn't waste water on tears.

I really thought about turning back, or crying. But, there was nowhere else to go and I couldn’t spare the water on tears.

Finally broke free onto some sort of semi-path.

Finally broke free onto some sort of semi-path.

The sun was having the same effect on me and my butterfinger.

The sun was having the same effect on me and my butterfinger.

It was shortly after this point that I had a brief encounter with a cougar or mt lion. At first I thought it was a coyote and I went for my camera, then it’s head turned and I saw it was a cougar and my heart jumped. It was less than 100ft ahead of me on the ‘path’, it turned and saw me and moved into the thicker brush. I’ve never seen one in the wild and it may sound funny, but it felt like an honor (after the fear subsided) to see this beautiful cat roaming free in it’s own world. I picked up a large rock of skull crushing proportions and carried it for a bit just in case kitty wanted to dance.

At about this time my good friend Jay Beyer was riding the crest trail across the valley in the Wasatch Range.

At about this time my good friend Jay Beyer was riding the crest trail across the valley in the Wasatch Range. We were texting and he said he could see me and took this pic of the Oquirrh’s. 

Not sure why I'm pointing out the copper mine? It's pretty tough to miss.

Not sure why I’m pointing out the copper mine? It’s kinda tough to miss.

The dramatic contrasts between nature and man's idea of growth.

The dramatic contrasts between nature and man’s idea of growth.

This coming from the man burning fossil fuels from two metallic vehicles so he can make a pointless traverse in the sky.

The top terminal of an old ore tramway that runs down into Pine Canyon.

The top terminal of an old ore tramway that runs down into Pine Canyon.

Several old boarded up mines.

Several old boarded up mines.

This one is going to take a lot of boards.

This one is going to take a lot of boards. More gold and silver taken from here than the California, Klondike and Nevada mining rushes combined (thanks wikipedia).

Aspen grove near the top of Clipper Peak

Aspen grove near the top of Clipper Peak

One final down and up brings the tally to 13K of climbing and 8K of descending.

One final down and up brings the tally to 13K of climbing and 8K of descent.

Elevation Profile

Elevation Profile

Turns out Oquirrh means shining mountains or wooded mountains, depending on the native tribe. For me it was 12 hours through 22 miles of the most beautifully conflicted land I’ve ever had the extreme pleasure of passing through.

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