Utah - County Highpoints

Since 2007 it has been my goal to climb the highest point in each county of Utah.  There are 29 counties, but due to boundary lines running through summits, several mountains are considered a highpoint in neighboring counties, creating a list of 26 total.

Let me explain why this is a fantastic goal for anyone to take on.  First, the list of people who have done it is still small.  I would estimate that probably 50 people have completed it, maybe more if they chose not to make it known what they had done. You aren't unique for climbing any one of the highpoints, but if you climb all of them, that does.  Second, climbing the county highpoints will take you to every remote part of the state you could imagine.  If you love to explore, this is for you.  Get away from the crowded trails of the Wasatch and explore areas you didn't even know existed.  What is the last reason to take this on? It is a constructive hobby that makes you healthy, gets you off the couch and challenges you!

Now, when it comes to climbing these highpoints, I have a philosophy.  If an easily accessible road gets me close to the top, I'll use it.  You can call me lazy, but I believe in efficiency.  Many of these highpoints have multiple routes, some easy some hard.  I like to maximize my time when I am driving hours so that I can see more and that means I'll take the easy route.  This ain't Himalayan climbing where the only way to get your name out there is to climb the most dangerous route possible.

The biggest problem I have run into during this quest is having a capable vehicle that can take me to the trailheads.  That being said, the majority of highpoint trailheads can be reached with a small car.  If that is all you have, then be prepared for longer hikes. My vehicle of choice for the last 5 years has been a stock Jeep Cherokee.  I've found that it is more than capable and has gotten me wherever I need to go.  The only time it let me down was when it overheated in Castle Valley, in July, while en route to climb Mt Waas.  That trip was aborted unfortunately

I've climbed 16 of the highpoints so far.  That leaves only ten left!  That could easily be completed in one summer.  Since I have been doing this since 2007, I could have easily completed the peaks but sometimes family, school and work take priority.  Please continue reading my blog to watch my progress, I hope everyone finds information that helps them on their own quest to climb tall mountains.