Clayton’s Peak

Today will be my final time this summer hiking in Utah’s Wasatch mountains. I will soon be driving back home to Arizona for the Autumn season. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s focus on this hike, which finds me back in the vortex area of Guardsmen’s Pass. I get going along the trail, enjoy a slight breeze for the first few miles, then I find a split in the trail where I can try to summit a couple different peaks, one to my left, the other to my right.

Over the last few weeks here, I have somehow found a daily workout routine and a healthier diet that has quickly gotten me somewhat back into shape. At least that is what I tell myself. A decision is quickly made that I have enough time to try and summit Clayton’s Peak at an elevation of 10, 420 feet above sea level.

However, I still need to stop and catch my breath routinely, probably every few hundred yards. I take small sips of water to keep myself hydrated, and just put one foot in front of the other as I slowly climb the mountain. No one else can be seen up here, although I do spot a few hikers on the main trail far below me. The trail turns from a dirt path into a scramble along ridgeline rocks as I find one false summit after another. The air gets noticeably thinner.

My body starts to sway a little bit. I drink more water to try and keep my equilibrium in balance, pushing out the dark thoughts of me slipping off the mountains edge. I see another person in the distance above me, but he is barely moving, just resting against a large stone. I stop and marvel at the views I have from my current elevation. I look up and the man still has not moved. I make my way up to him slowly to make sure he is not hurt. Neither of us can speak loudly, as it takes too much effort, but we signal a thumbs up as we pass each other, he is making his way down, myself thinking about how much further I can climb.

I make it maybe another hundred yards before the thunder starts crashing loudly, and the sky quickly turns dark. This will be as far as I climb today, no need to be struck by lightning, or getting hurt or trapped up here from a storm. A couple of ladies fly down the mountain past me, obviously having the same thoughts. I take in the epic views one last time, and race as fast as I can back down. I pass the man from earlier, but it is every person for himself. I wish him well as I pass, and not much longer does it take before I also pass the two ladies. I’m impressed with my mountain goat type skills as I navigate the rocks and steep descent. No matter my personal health, I guess some things never change as I safely descend Clayton’s Peak as the rains falls and soaks me to the bone.