The Why of this Project

March 23, 2015 - INTRO

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I begin a biweekly article dedicated to hiking in the Tushar Mountains. This is Jesse McMullin, writing to you from my home in North Creek, in plain view of Mt.Baldy, Shelly Baldy and Johnson Peak.  Over the past five summers I have helped with maintaining Forest Service trails, dealing with trees crumpled by snow, drainages altered by post-fire flooding, and years with little to no use or TLC. It’s possible the lack of use could stem from high costs of keeping horses, the ease of covering ground on ATV’s or a new generation who stays indoors, minds entangled with digital hobbies.  My apologies if I sound judgemental,  but I am confident I can tempt a few souls to fall in love with tromping through the hills this summer.  I will make this as easy as possible, focusing on trailheads accessed by passenger car alone and several are just five miles from Beaver!  Keep in mind I am trying to ease you into this, so my choice for trails may not be long enough or strenuous enough for young bucks seeking challenges, but we will progress through the months and could be standing high atop Delano’s summit in July. The first trails described will be at lower elevations or on warmer and drier southern exposures and we will work our way up into the shadows of the Peaks as the snow recedes.

My goal with “Into the Tushars” is to invite folks out to discover somewhere new,  to motivate some calorie burning and to educate a younger generation where these routes go so these trails won’t be swallowed up by the ever encroaching forest.  I would also be contented knowing people could form new friendships or meet others on the trail who otherwise may have no other common bond.  If you’ve ever had that moment in the woods when all the sights, smells, sounds and sensations combine and you think,”I am amazed with Nature and I want never to return home”, you know having someone to share it with is way cool too.

Each article will present a hiking tip to develop your confidence and comfort outdoors. I will give you driving directions,  turn by turn hiking directions, the length of time required to follow my suggested routes and heads up for neat and noteworthy observations I have seen at that spot.  The most important thing is to make it safely home again, so the tip for this week is to Tell Someone Where You’re Going and When To Expect You Back! Make sure this is in some sort of written form.  A future article will educate you on the trail’s signs and clues to observe, which can ensure you stay on the right trail, so for now, don’t get lost.

I know you all can’t wait for the next article which will have an actual trail description and you’ll be itching to get out since it‘s apparent spring has sprung,  or was that back in January this year?  I really hope to connect with some of you and  can share the Forest’s treasures with you,  because they belong to all of us and they are literally in our backyards. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, I can be reached at 801-243-0095.

Lastly, I want to thank the town of Beaver for letting us in,  to thank my wife,Tracy, for supporting my outdoor career in the woods,  and especially give credit to Howard White, who wrote the book “Hiking the Tushars” which maps out a lifetime of trails and gives historical context to all areas of these hills.  And so we go, “Into the Tushars”.