Jardine Juniper is a good ride to get a feel for Logan Utah
riding. It's got a variety of terrain and like all the trails
near Logan it has at least 2000 feet of climbing. The trail
(to the right) starts in a valley at 5300 feet and climbs
to 7200 feet. On this ride it was 40° in the parking lot
at below freezing in the shade at the top. Did I mention it
was windy. I was very windy! Even though there wasn't enough
air to fill my lungs there was plenty for the wind. I even
needed a jacket on the descent and I had to stop a few times
to let my fingers thaw.
Click on the images to get a larger version of the same.
The first valley is scenic but I was just a little too late
to catch most of the foliage colors.These are picture of the
valley from a little ways up the trail.
The trail starts out with loose rock.
Goes through a dry stream bed filled with round loose stones.
Then goes through the aspens and meadow, all the while climbing.
Further up the mountain there are more pine trees and it gets
much more windy.Finally on the sunny side of the mountain, where
"the tree" is you get to look down on the highway
2000 feet below. Nice views from on top.
There was snow near the top in the shade. Don't take my word
for it. Click on the picture and look carefully.
At last the tree itself. It's estimated to be 3200 years
old.
Just to prove I was there I took a picture of myself in front
of the tree. No need for the jacket on the climb and the sunny
side was pleasant after working so hard on the climb. It's
only 4.5 miles up to the tree but it's all climbing.
