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Smithfield Dry Canyon, August 24, 2013

Five Cache Hikers joined this activity; Christine, Megan, Dave W., Denis and our leader, Jim.  At 8:00 we carpooled up at our meeting place and drove to the Dry Canyon parking area near the forest boundary.  Here, we hiked east up Dry Canyon, immediately entering the Mt. Naomi Wilderness Area.  Overnight rain left the trailside grass and shrubs covered with water, and we quickly became soaked to the skin as we shouldered through vegetation that, in several places, completely obscured the trail.  After a couple of miles the terrain opened up a bit and we started to dry off, although our boots remained wet for the entire hike.

We rested at the top of a large quartzite outcropping overlooking the canyon below, and then headed up another mile to the saddle.  Here, we enjoyed a lunch break as we feasted on the views on nearby peaks and the valley below.  After lunch, Dave and Denis climbed the ridge to nearby Flatttop Mountain, while Christine and Megan went back for a earlier return to Logan.  Dave, Jim and Denis hiked back down the canyon, arriving at Logan before 6:00, our anticipated ending time.

From the cliffs overhead near the canyon mouth to the views from the saddle and Flattop Mountain, we enjoyed the hike in spite of the morning drenching.  The late summer date meant few wildflowers, but there serviceberries, snowberries, rose hips and chokecherries along the trail.  Next time, we may schedule this hike during the peak wildflower season. 

(Thanks to Dave W. for the narrative, photos and GPS work)

Goldeneye	Serviceberry
Snowberry	Chokecherry
Owlclover	Rose hips
Rockmat	View toward Smithfield, from the quartzite outcropping

Mount Elmer, from Flatttop Mountain



 Lunch on the saddle



Smithfield Dry Canyon to Flattop Mountain, 10.3 miles and 4100 feet of elevation gain


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