@bderfler.bsky.social
Post-Thanksgiving hike to Mt. Baldy above Alta (elev. 11,076'). Very little snow--skiers must be hating it. But very cold and windy on the summit. One class 2+ section but otherwise pretty straightforward. Microspikes needed near the top.
November 29, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Post-Thanksgiving hike to Mt. Baldy above Alta (elev. 11,076'). Very little snow--skiers must be hating it. But very cold and windy on the summit. One class 2+ section but otherwise pretty straightforward. Microspikes needed near the top.
Ridge exploration in the Wasatch Back. Bald Knoll (9,337') and Rattlesnake Mountain. 10.6 miles and 3149' of elevation gain.
October 26, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Ridge exploration in the Wasatch Back. Bald Knoll (9,337') and Rattlesnake Mountain. 10.6 miles and 3149' of elevation gain.
Lewis Peak from North Ogden divide. Forgot this was the opening day of deer hunting season. Saw several hunters on dirt bikes (no fair, that's cheating). 10.7 miles, 2,769' elevation gain. Muddy but very little snow.
October 18, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Lewis Peak from North Ogden divide. Forgot this was the opening day of deer hunting season. Saw several hunters on dirt bikes (no fair, that's cheating). 10.7 miles, 2,769' elevation gain. Muddy but very little snow.
Kenney Creek trail to Sessions Mountain ridge, first hike in snow this season. About 4" at my maximum elevation of 8759'. Lost the trail in the snow and had to turn around. :( 8.4 miles, 3,812' elevation gain and one wasp sting.
October 13, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Kenney Creek trail to Sessions Mountain ridge, first hike in snow this season. About 4" at my maximum elevation of 8759'. Lost the trail in the snow and had to turn around. :( 8.4 miles, 3,812' elevation gain and one wasp sting.
Checked out some new trails in Mueller Park this afternoon. You can now do a loop on both sides of the canyon. But beware of mountain bikers. 9.9 miles, only 1,460' of elevation gain. Nice and easy.
October 9, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Checked out some new trails in Mueller Park this afternoon. You can now do a loop on both sides of the canyon. But beware of mountain bikers. 9.9 miles, only 1,460' of elevation gain. Nice and easy.
I noticed a trail on Google Earth but it wasn't listed anywhere. It's only 10 minutes from home, so I had to check it out today. It goes from the edge of Bountiful up the ridge between Holbrook and Mueller Park canyons. I went as far as the Kenney Creek trail junction on the Sessions Mountain Ridge.
October 3, 2025 at 12:34 AM
I noticed a trail on Google Earth but it wasn't listed anywhere. It's only 10 minutes from home, so I had to check it out today. It goes from the edge of Bountiful up the ridge between Holbrook and Mueller Park canyons. I went as far as the Kenney Creek trail junction on the Sessions Mountain Ridge.
Ben Lomond (elev. 9722) from North Fork TH with Wasatch Mountain Club. Perfect weather and lovely foliage. 15.1 miles, 3,973' elevation gain.
September 28, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Ben Lomond (elev. 9722) from North Fork TH with Wasatch Mountain Club. Perfect weather and lovely foliage. 15.1 miles, 3,973' elevation gain.
Fall colors are spectacular along the Emigration Canyon Mine loop today.
September 19, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Fall colors are spectacular along the Emigration Canyon Mine loop today.
Since good news seems hard to come by these days, just thought I'd share that the goldfish I thought had died in my pond had actually flourished over the last couple of months without any care. They are just good at hiding I suppose.
September 14, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Since good news seems hard to come by these days, just thought I'd share that the goldfish I thought had died in my pond had actually flourished over the last couple of months without any care. They are just good at hiding I suppose.
Ward Canyon is a mostly unknown gem of a hike which I had completely to myself after the first mile.
September 13, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Ward Canyon is a mostly unknown gem of a hike which I had completely to myself after the first mile.
Bowman Fork/Porter Fork loop around Mount Raymond. Great conditions. 11 miles, 3740' elevation gain/loss. Note: Millcreek Canyon road is closed before the Bowman Fork turnoff through the rest of the year and beyond.
September 5, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Bowman Fork/Porter Fork loop around Mount Raymond. Great conditions. 11 miles, 3740' elevation gain/loss. Note: Millcreek Canyon road is closed before the Bowman Fork turnoff through the rest of the year and beyond.
Ennis Peak via Jacob's Ladder. 3507' elevation gain and 10.8 miles. Maybe some day I'll do all of the Lone Peak trail (this was about half of it).
August 31, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Ennis Peak via Jacob's Ladder. 3507' elevation gain and 10.8 miles. Maybe some day I'll do all of the Lone Peak trail (this was about half of it).
Mill B North Fork trail to Desolation Trail below Mt. Raymond. No people past the first mile. Beautiful overcast Sunday with light drizzle. One annoying bee sting. 7.9 miles and 3147' elevation gain.
August 24, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Mill B North Fork trail to Desolation Trail below Mt. Raymond. No people past the first mile. Beautiful overcast Sunday with light drizzle. One annoying bee sting. 7.9 miles and 3147' elevation gain.
Finally tackled Gobblers Knob (via Butler Fork TH). 7.9 miles, 3161' of elevation gain. Was certainly feeling my age today while completing that. There are at least 3 false summits near the top which is a little demoralizing. But overall a good hike, great views, and a beautiful day.
August 17, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Finally tackled Gobblers Knob (via Butler Fork TH). 7.9 miles, 3161' of elevation gain. Was certainly feeling my age today while completing that. There are at least 3 false summits near the top which is a little demoralizing. But overall a good hike, great views, and a beautiful day.
Combo mountain bike/hike today to Sessions Mountain West. This is the highest peak above Bountiful between Bountiful and Grandview Peaks at 9259'. Beautiful route which I had completely to myself, except for one perturbed rattlesnake. I also found a permanent hammock to chill on.
August 13, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Combo mountain bike/hike today to Sessions Mountain West. This is the highest peak above Bountiful between Bountiful and Grandview Peaks at 9259'. Beautiful route which I had completely to myself, except for one perturbed rattlesnake. I also found a permanent hammock to chill on.
Butler Fork loop with side trips to Dog Lake (no people there--never seen that before!) and a scramble up Soldier Peak where there were a lot of hornets.
August 11, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Butler Fork loop with side trips to Dog Lake (no people there--never seen that before!) and a scramble up Soldier Peak where there were a lot of hornets.
Another crazy Farmington city trail, so steep I was afraid of starting a rockslide. Some cool Precambrian formations up here though
August 10, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Another crazy Farmington city trail, so steep I was afraid of starting a rockslide. Some cool Precambrian formations up here though
3-day getaway to the Uintas. Here's our camping setup and pics from a hike to Cliff, Clyde, and Wall Lakes
August 8, 2025 at 6:36 PM
3-day getaway to the Uintas. Here's our camping setup and pics from a hike to Cliff, Clyde, and Wall Lakes
Hike from Snowbird lodge to the top of the Aerial Tram, plus a side trip to Blackjack Waterfall. Beautiful day for exploring.
July 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Hike from Snowbird lodge to the top of the Aerial Tram, plus a side trip to Blackjack Waterfall. Beautiful day for exploring.
Off the beaten path along Burch Creek above Ogden. No people at all and not much of a trail either. Beautiful spot with a perennial stream and lush forest. Lots of route-finding challenges and a bit of scrambling.
June 4, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Off the beaten path along Burch Creek above Ogden. No people at all and not much of a trail either. Beautiful spot with a perennial stream and lush forest. Lots of route-finding challenges and a bit of scrambling.
Day 3 photos from Canyonlands NP Salt Creek backpack. Full album can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/54649...
May 20, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Day 3 photos from Canyonlands NP Salt Creek backpack. Full album can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/54649...
Day 2 photos from Canyonlands NP Salt Creek backpack. Full album can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/54649...
May 20, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Day 2 photos from Canyonlands NP Salt Creek backpack. Full album can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/54649...
Day 1 photos from Canyonlands NP Salt Creek backpack. Full album can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/54649...
May 20, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Day 1 photos from Canyonlands NP Salt Creek backpack. Full album can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/54649...
I recently finished a 3-day, 31-mile backpacking trip along Salt Creek in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. This was at the top of my bucket list and it did not disappoint! Here are some photos from Day 0 (camped at the trailhead).
May 20, 2025 at 10:19 PM
I recently finished a 3-day, 31-mile backpacking trip along Salt Creek in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. This was at the top of my bucket list and it did not disappoint! Here are some photos from Day 0 (camped at the trailhead).
Hi everyone, I wanted to extend an open invitation to my last concert as director of the Westminster Chamber Orchestra. I've been conducting this ensemble with only one interruption since 2012, but it's time to step down and pass the torch. The concert is May 7 at 7:30. Tickets are free!
April 26, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Hi everyone, I wanted to extend an open invitation to my last concert as director of the Westminster Chamber Orchestra. I've been conducting this ensemble with only one interruption since 2012, but it's time to step down and pass the torch. The concert is May 7 at 7:30. Tickets are free!