The Lasal Mountains on the eastern border of the State are an oasis in a sea of red rock near the desert country of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.  Rising to the height of 12,721 feet Mount Peale reigns as the highest peak in this range which is second only to the Uinta Mountain range in height. The high mountain green and lushness is a stark contrast to the area around Moab Utah which is the community that serves the whole area. This summer I came to the area to explore one of the lower peaks and to enjoy the high mountain serenity which this range offers.

Our two night adventure begun by driving through Moab and its 100+ temperatures around the southern end of the range and up the Lasal  Pass area. Camping opportunities in this area are plentiful and provide superb views of Mount Peal and the goal of this trip Mount Tukuhnikivats the third highest summit in the range.  After setting up camp a short walking distance from Medicine Lake we headed off to cross country hike the east shoulder of South Mountain in an effort to obtain some photos of the range from that vantage point. 

Hiking cross country in this area is a challenge. First, we meandered through the fallen trees of this old growth forest until we came to the only type of clearings available rock glacial moraines.  I don’t know which were worse the trees or the rocks. Regardless we reached the ridge and began our ascent.  Climbing the ridge was easier although very steep. The views opened up to us as we gained elevation.

Soon we were able to see Mount Mellenthin peeking over a low part of the ridge between the other two peaks.  With light fading, we decided not to summit South Mountain but took in the views of the red country east of Moab far below before returning the way we came.  

Our summit day dawned bright and clear the cool temperature was awesome. There is a great trail up from the pass to the summit so no real route finding necessary except for the last 400 feet due to the steep talus covered ridge to the summit.  Hiking the area was a wonderful experience of meadows of grasses and wildflowers in the beginning which gave way to alpine forested slopes above. As we left the timberline the trees gave way to small clumps of high altitude flowers and their miniature pedals and leaves. Once reaching a minor ridge we simply picked our route to the main ridge which gave us a spectacular view of the rest of the mountain range off to the north.

Lasal Mountain range has 11 peaks rising to 12,000 feet or more.  Scaling the last ridge to the summit required our attention as loose rock covered the ledges along the ridge.

The summit was reached without incident and we relaxed on the broad flat summit taking in the 360 degree views. Moab the canyon country spread out below us for miles. Far to the west are the Henry Mountains (see previous page about these mountains.) To the north one can see the geology of Arches National Park. To the east, Mount Peale in the foreground and the Colorado Rockies in the distance.  The Abajo Mountains and South Mountain make up the view to the south.

 It is an amazing scene with so much diversity. As is most trips to the summit of a mountain the trip down become somewhat of a trudge to the bottom however, the views with the afternoon light are different than the early morning light on the way up

All in all it was a very successful trip. I will certainly be back to summit some of the other peaks and bask in the solitude of this mountain range. Happy hiking–