Jardine Juniper

Years ago Doran and I went camping up Logan canyon. We stayed at Wood Camp Campground. This became one of our favorite places to camp for years.

At this same camp is the trail head for a hike to Jardine Juniper.  Jardine Juniper is one of the oldest living things. It began life long before the pioneers entered Cache Valley, long before Jim Bridger and other mountain men lived here and possibly before the Shoshoni Indians inhabited the valley. It was once thought to be 3200 years old. Then in the 1950's a core sample was taken and the tree was found to be 1500 years old.

Jardine Juniper was discovered in 1923 by Maurice Linford, also the year that the last grizzly bear in Utah was killed. In the 1870's something alarming happened to the Juniper. Its growth rate slowed by more than two-thirds. We don't know the cause for sure, but whatever happened brought a premature death to the Juniper.

The Jardine Juniper is still alive, but barely. Jardine Juniper is taking longer to die than most humans live. If you are fortunate enough to see Jardine Juniper, you will notice that it is very sick and on the edge of life. Many people like to take this hike during the summer to see one of the oldest known living things on earth.

One day we decided to see what this hike was about and maybe just go part way. So we headed off to the hills with a half of bottle of Mt. Dew. We figured we wouldn't go very far and maybe do the complete hike at a different time. The further we got and the more people we saw coming down that said, "Oh just a little further." "Just over that hill." "Just around the corner there." So we figured that we were pretty close by what they told us. PSHA! But we just kept on going.

By the time we got to the top/Juniper tree, we were so tired and thirsty and hungry. Our SODA ran out a long time ago and we had nothing to drink. There was a couple at the top eating green apples just enjoying themselves. I so wanted to offer then $10 for one of their apples but we just kept quiet.

No more! We would never again go on a "hike" without being prepared. So this time, Saturday, June 16, 2012, we were more prepared. In fact, it seems like we are always over prepared and we ALWAYS have apples. They may ride in our packs on the way up AND on the way down but we have them....just in case someone needs to get rid of $10.

 

Ben, Christen, Mary Beth, Doran, Susette

Susette and the Farrer family joined us this time. It was a very nice hike. We left Dodge just after 7:00 am to get to the trail head. The actual hike, moderate pace, took us just over five hours. It was wonderful to share this hike with some friends. Susette is training for a marathon so she left us in the dust on the way down so she could run and get her six miles in for the day.

Now to tackle Mt. Timpanogas for our anniversary this weekend!!!