The Tushars, Crushed

A quick report from a marathon excursion into Utah's Tushar Mountains last July (2017). At over 12,000 feet, the Tushars are the highest mountain range in southwestern Utah, and they are the third highest range in all of Utah. They are, of course amazingly beautiful, and lucky for me, are only an hour away from my home. They have become well known to cyclists in recent years due to the emergence of the popular Tushar Crusher bike race that is held here annually. I'd like to throw my wheel into the ring one of these years (by all accounts it is an excellent race), but, I've completed so many self-supported, solo adventures in the Tushars, I've had a hard time putting up the cash to ride with a couple of hundred other people.

Anyhow, here is my personal Tushar Crusher which I completed 1 day before the official race.

Similar to the real Tushar Crusher race, I started my climb in the heart of Beaver at the intersection of Main Street and Highway 153. Here, I'm a few miles in, near the mouth of Beaver Canyon.

There are a few narrow spots in Beaver Canyon where the highway and river leave little room for much of a road shoulder. Lucky for me, there wasn't much traffic on a Friday morning.

After 10 miles of pavement, the race route forks right onto a graded dirt road that passes Kent's Lake and a few other small reservoirs. It is pretty country that reminds me a lot of the Uintah Mountains in northeastern Utah.

This intersection on the range summit is key on the race course. Racers head east and drop down to the town of Junction before climbing back up to this same junction. Racers then head north along the summit ridge to the  finish at the top of the Eagle Mountain ski resort. I skipped the trip down to Junction and headed straight to the resort.

My first views of the Tushars' highest peaks. Thunderstorms like to linger here and the dark skies were a bit worrisome. Exactly 3 weeks after my Tushar climb, 2 girls were struck by lightning near this very spot (Big Flat). They were knocked unconscious and were alone save their family dog which ran 2 miles back to camp to alert family. The dog led family members to the girls and they were soon airlifted to a local hospital. As far as I know they both survived.

Highway 153 summit near Puffer Lake.

The last mile to the race finish is a doozy with 10-11% grades.

Eagle Point Resort's Skyline Lodge marks the end of the race and the road. From here there is a bit of new singletrack that will lead you to the top resort boundary. 

Hidden cabin near the top of Eagle Mountain Resort.

From the resort boundary at about 10,500 feet, it was time to switch shoes and keep trucking upward toward the top.

My favorite parts of the Tushars are where you get above the tree line and the terrain looks nothing like the rest of Utah.

Looking north from Delano Peak to Mount Baldy (left) and Belknap (right).

Aside from a little rumbling in the distance, the thunderstorm never really fully developed and I never did see any rain drops.

This was my 3rd ascent of Delano Peak over the years, and I doubt it will be my last.  I'm already scheming another personal Tushar Crusher for next summer.