The Mother of them all in La Sals - Mount Peale

Today’s target was the highest point in the La Sal Mountains, Mount Peale. The previous evening’s advice from the $1.50 guide from way back indicated only general stuff. I needed to source some additional information.

After retiring early the night before, I looked at and saved some info, primarily from summitpost.org regarding tomorrow. They had some accurate directions.

On the day I transferred the basic guidance instructions from Moab onto a bit of paper. Took that, and the netbook (just in case) into the SUV. Set off for breakfast, turned up 7 mins early to the Jailhouse Cafe on the way for breakfast before 7am. I’d haunted this place before, this time I was the first customer of the day for a fantastic one. Told them I’d be back over the next couple of days.

Legged it away, down Route 191 for approx 20 miles, off it to La Sal, then after it into forest dirt trails that eventually led me to top of the La Sal Pass. I had to ram the SUV through a Ford at one point (note that this of was of the stream variation). Got at a bit lost at the top of the pass trying to make sure I had the trailhead (or one) of them according to the vague notes. I eventually abandoned the SUV next to a Mt Peale sign at approx. 10000 feet next to a meadow.

Anyway, to cut to the chase there was no official trail to follow, a narrow trail went across a meadow from the dirt trail which had an old sign with Mount Peale’s name and altitude. There was a fork after the meadow, I picked the branch that started going downhill around the side of the mountain, then across a narrow old track. I took it so far before turning back and then went up the old track which became steep. After a bit a narrow track went off on the right, it was marked with rocks on either side of it. I started going up this steep and sometimes non-existent path through rocky woods. Little cairns marked the worn path. It was a bit of effort this path, broke out through the treeline into rocks. The “path” went up rocks in a trench. Each step was close to another foot in altitude. Most of them were loose but you could pick your way up. There were incredible views of Canyonlands etc. appearing. The trench went on and on.

Got to the top of the ridge, it fell away steeply. Patches of snow far below in a bowl. The path went around the side of various rocky sections on the ridge. By now I could see Moab far below me in the distance, the mobile phone signal came back. Clouds came in and out. If it wasn’t for them I might have been able to see as far south as Monument Valley! Got to the top, the Garmin said it was 12689 feet. There was a little shelter up here, but no sign. Took loads of pictures, tried to send a text message but Cingular wouldn’t deliver it for some reason. My fingers were starting to go numb in the cold and wind. I’d found a good pair of gloves on Mt Washburn the other day, but I’d forgotten to bring them. Started back down slowly. Deviated from the path over the rocks a few times, there wasn’t much of it and inched my way back down. I had to be careful and avoid a fall on the rocks. Realised that I’d forgotten to attempt a picture of myself on the summit.

Felt a bit queasy in the woods, must be the altitude changes. Eventually got back to the SUV. I’d been able to see her a lot of the time on the way up. I had taken approx. 6 hours there and back, less than 6 miles total according to the Garmin, but one step at a time. Drove back down the same way in 1st gear on the dirt trails through the forest. Luckily I didn’t meet any other vehicles on the narrow bits. Met a girl in a car who looked terrified as she inched past me, there was a massive gap between us. Realised afterwards that she was probably more nervous of stone chips. I didn’t care, wasn’t my SUV. Met some dirt bikers, the first one was a bit out of control and appreciated that I was tucked out of his way. Back to Moab, looked at where I’d been from Route 191. That was quite a mountain. Not many people climb up there! Almost 9000 feet in altitude gain from Moab.