South Boulder Peak (8,549 ft), 02/22/2003
Started from the South Mesa Trailhead (5,600 ft) at 9:54. The forecast was for rain in the afternoon, and snow the next day, so we really enjoyed the sun that was shining. We ascended by the Towhee Trail and then up the Shadow Canyon Trail. It was slow going up the Shadow Canyon Trail because of ice. We got to the top of South Boulder Peak at 12:03. There was no one else on the summit. The cell phone worked so we phoned home, then took some pictures, and finally started our descent at 12:33. The descent was of course also slow because of the ice. At the trail intersection marking the end of the Shadow Canyon Trail we sat on a rock in the sun and had some nuts and water. We returned by the Mesa Trail, reaching the truck at 15:04.
The distance to the top was 3.4 miles, with an elevation gain of 2,949 feet. The return distance was 3.9 miles.