Juneteenth | Tuesday – Wednesday, June 18-19, 2024
Surprisingly, it’s been almost three years since my last visit to the La Sal Mountains near Moab and I’ve definitely been overdue for a return since I still have a couple of peaks left in the range to hike. Since I had Wednesday off for Juneteenth, I left from work on Tuesday afternoon and headed up to the Warner Lake Campground so I could start getting my lungs and legs ready for the mountain hiking season with an easier hike up to the summit of Gold Knob in the morning. After arriving at the campground I went for a short loop hike nearby and then returned to watch the sunset from Warner Lake before getting to bed early.
Passing by a ridge of red sandstone as I made my way from Castle Valley to the La Sal Mountain Loop Road on Tuesdy afternoon.
I stopped near Mason Draw to check out the view of Gold Knob from this side
Gold Knob
After making it to my campsite, I went for a hike on the Warner Lake Loop Trail which includes a section of The Whole Enchilada.
Warner Lake Trail
Looking back to Gold Knob over Warner Lake.
Much of the loop trail was in the trees with limited views.
Warner Lake Reflection
After reading at camp for a little while, I returned to Warner Lake to watch the sunset.
On Wednesday morning I was up before sunrise and then started hiking up the Miners Basin Trail to Gold Knob at dawn.
Until I neared the top of the ridge, this was the only opening in the trees that offered any view of the surrounding terrain.
Once I neared the pass, I turned off onto the Gold Knob Trail and finally had a good view of Gold Knob ahead.
Following the trail toward the summit.
There were good views to the south to Mount Tukuhnikivatz.
The surrounding views seemed to be a bit hazy and possibly smoky this morning.
Following the trail to the top…
There was a nice view over Castle Valley from the top.
Porcupine Rim & Castle Valley
Looking down to Warner Lake.
Mountains of Light
Gold Knob Summit
After leaving the summit I followed the Miners Basin Trail to the pass, and then turned around at this sign right before the trail started to steeply descend into Miners Basin.
Before returning to the trailhead, I followed the Mountain View Trail to a rocky overlook.
Mountain View Overlook
Instead of driving home the way I had come, I returned through Gateway and Unaweap Canyon so I could explore a couple side roads and stop at Cairn Point along the way.
