Gardner Peak Trail, Pine Valley

Before the winds howl and the temperatures start to dip in the higher elevations surrounding Pine Valley, Utah you might consider taking a day hike up the Gardner Peak Trail. To access the trailhead, come into Pine Valley and turn left onto Main Street. Continue on Main and watch on your left side. Before you get to the park kiosk there is a sign for the trailhead at a small parking place.  You can identify Gardner’s Peak long before you get into Pine Valley or to the trailhead, as its ominous height is visible for a long way off. Once you park and look up at the mountain, it will seem as though the climb ahead will not be too bad. However, be advised that the top of Gardner’s is over 9,000 feet in elevation, and the hike staring you in the face is going to be longer than you think.  The trail starts out very easy through meadow and light sand. You will come to a fence to pass through, and please close the gate behind. Soon, you encounter a four-way split in the trail. There is no sign posted; you need to bisect the trails and keep heading uphill from here. The trail is fairly well defined all the way, but several rocky outcroppings challenge you to keep on track. In many places the footing is very loose, so well-built hiking shoes or boots are a must. Also, bring plenty of water and emergency food, a cell phone, and if you wear those jeans that have the zip-off legs to convert them into shorts, be sure to pack the legs. You will be surprised at how much cooler it is at the top of Gardner’s Peak than at the trailhead. The trail ends prior to the peak. Enough folks have scrambled and found the very top though, so getting there will not be difficult once the Gardner Peak Trail ceases. Plan on 4 hours up if you are taking your time and enjoying the vistas, and an hour and a half to two back down. This is a true wilderness hike rated as strenuous, so respect your boundaries.

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