Peak 9380 Big Point

Any trip into Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness is a primitive backcountry experience.  Rugged and breathtaking the Wilderness Preservation System designated 50,000 acres as the Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness in 1984. No motorized vehicles or mechanical equipment are allowed in any wilderness areas. Take I-15 exit 30 west to the Browse ranger station.  A grueling 1.5 hour long drive over "Primitive Road Conditions".  A 4x4 wheel, high clearance vehicle is required, for this 7.5 mile long stretch of road.  The first 4 miles is maintain gravel to a staging area and lookout, then the road drops down along the hillside in a tire slicing, rocky trail road.  Proceed with caution. The Browse ranger station is unmanned and warning signs announce risk of disease upon entry.  The hut in nestled among some beautiful pine trees and Mill Creek runs near by, creating a story book setting. The trailhead, information sign is to the left of the hut and the trail is well marked. Hiking among the pine trees with a gentle grade, the sound of Mill Creek is soothing after the spine jamming entrance.  Soon a junction is reached with an iron works gate restricting entry only to hikers and horses.  The well traveled path continues west. Make sure you proceed through the restricting gate. Dixie National Forest trail 3009 known as "Leap Creek Trail" is reached at a junction about two miles into the hike.  Turn west and proceed up the little used trail toward the foothills of Peak 9380.  Elevation is creating a beautiful view to the East as the Red Pillars of Kolob Canyons and the White ridge lines of Zion National Park can be seen.  To the west is the stunning rocky face of Big Point, piercing the sky at 10,024 feet. The trail is easy to follow and caution is needed on the stony path.  Ruts keep the vegetation at bay, sometimes the ruts become small canyons and need to be hiked around. Syler Flat, is a welcome reprieve from the uphill climb.  Breaking onto this high mountain flat is a wonder to behold. Prior forest fires have marred the edges of this level patch of earth, in a battle between firefighter and nature, thankfully firefighters won the day preserving the bulk of the beautiful flat. Exiting the flat, looking west, Peak 9380 begins to take shape.  The trail is difficult to follow around and through the battle zone leaving Syler Flat, and a good eye is needed to stay on the correct path.  As the trail skirts the hillside, it begins to drop into Leap Creek gorge.  Breathtaking views are had across the gorge, and the rugged rocky top of Mount Baldy can be seen.  A cairn marks the spot where Trail 3009 is exited, in favor of a backcountry route to the summit.  Faint game trails can be seen, and should be followed, in the zig zagging fashion around the many fallen trees.  Be mindful of the steep terrain, ample bushwacking, and dead trees.  Mammoth Ponderosa pine lay on their sides, on a steep hill, held in place by only other dead trees. Arriving at the ridge line, beautiful views into the next gorge, separate Peak 9380 from the Big Point summit. A beautiful thing about the high country of Pine Valley Mountain Wilderness is the many Mule Deer that inhabit the area.  A 200 pound animal can create a nice trail, keeping the bushwacking to a minimum.  Pick the most direct route, following natures guides and soon the summit is obtained.  No summit cairn was found, and no registration.