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Show Volume XIV THE Issue I OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 17 October 1, 2006 TRIATHLON cont. from page The Jardine Juniper Trail in Logan Canyon 1 timing devices to keep an accurate record of race results. The race was partially sponsored by The Ogden Valley Business Association, many local Valley businesses, and the Town of Huntsville. XANGO, one of the race sponsors, By Helene Liebman As good as the hiking is in Ogden Valley, there are other great trails in nearby locations = 22a Triathlon participants in the bike leg. offered a $2,500 cash purse for the 2006 Ogden Valley Triathlon. The prize purse was split $1,500 to the Olympic event and $1,000 to the Sprint event. Awards were given to the top three overall winners and the top three in each age group. AN, © find out more information about the Ogden Valley Triathlon, or to view race results visit <www.triutah.com> ee I Green gentian plant Additional sponsors included: Trappers Village / Yukon Grille, Music Sponsor Chillys — Jeff& Bonnie Hyde, Prize Sponsor Costco, Beverage Sponsor Diamond Peak Mountain Sports, Triathlon Road Support Sponsor Lakeside Resort Properties, Lodging Sponsor Squeaky Cheeks, Event & Prize Sponsor McKay Dee Sports Medicine/Porter Clinic, Medical Sponsor Celeste Canning, Attorney at Law, Prize Spons HC Construction, Prize Sponsor that are worth trying. One of these is the Jardine Juniper Trail in Logan Canyon. This is a ten-mile round trip hike that offers breath-taking views of Logan Canyon and the Bear River Range and leads to the legendary Jardine Juniper tree. This juniper tree, thought to be the largest in Cache Valley, is estimated to be over 2000 years old! ber is a great time to hike or ride the Jardine Juniper Trail. The fall foliage is really beautiful here, with the reds of maples and scrub oaks punctuated with the bright gold of aspens Start at Wood Cam The trail starts at miles east of Logan is a sign for Wood turn-off to the left). hike northwest into Wood Camp, about 12 on Highway 89 (there Camp just before the From the parking lot, the canyon, starting at first section of the hike is through rolling sage-covered hills. Earlier in the year, you will see hundreds of green gentian plants (frasera speciosa) on these hills. Green gentian is a tall plant that produces a rosette of large, duces a tall (one to seven foot) stem that is covered in leaves and greenish-white flowers. Until quite recently green gentian, also known as “Monument Plant,” was thought to be biennal, i.e., basal leaf growth in the first season, flower and then seed growth in the second season, and death of the plant at the end of the second season. But recent research indicates that Monument Plant flowers only once in its lifetime of 20 to 80 years and then dies. It is thus called a monocarpic, i.e., one which grows many years, flowers once, then dies. Perhaps the most well know monocarpic plant is the Southwest’s Century Plant. Another monocarpic plant is Hawaii’s silver swords, which you can see on the trails in Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui. As you slowly and steadily ascend up the Jardine Juniper Trail, you’ll soon enter thick woods with aspens, maples, and evergreens. In the spring, you can see false Solomon’s seal and baneberry all along here Naomi Peak Wilderness Just past 3 miles and at about 6770 feet in elevation, you'll come to a side trail that leads into Naomi Peak Wilderness. Stay on the main trail (to the right). Just a few yards past this, you’ll come to a bench. A good place for a break! A make the last switch back towards the south, you come to a rocky “spine” where you can see amazing views all around. In mid summer, you can see death camas lilies and sego lilies along this section. A bit further on there is a “T” intersection. To the right is “the scenic route;” t the left, “the shady route.” Take the scenic route to start (you’ll come back via the shady route). The trail continues to climb slowly until it reaches its highest point at about 7300 feet in elevation. Then you'll start a descent along the final % mile or so. Continue to the right, and you'll soon come to your destination—the Jardine Juniper. Jardine Juniper At about mile 5 and 6900 feet in elevation, you come to the end of the trail and the famous Jardine Juniper tree. Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family. There are about 60 species of juniper, widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, from the arctic, south to tropical Africa, and to the mountains of Central America. Their seed cones are a fruit-like berry. In most juniper trees the seeds are blue, and they are often aromatic. In fact, the oil extracted from the juniper berry is used to flavor gin. The Jardine Juniper is special. It is estimated to be over 2000 years old (just think, it was thriving here is the Bear River Mountains long before Europeans came to North America, and while the Romans ruled “the world”). This tree was discovered by Maurice Blood Linford in 1923. He was a botany student at Utah State Agricultural College. The tree was named in honor of William J. Jardine, a graduate of USAC, and Secretary of Agriculture under Hoover. T Was ancient, gnarled, and tenacious tree clings to life in a single branch at entries; plus a few benches where you can sit and enjoy the tree, the solitude, and the views Jar Da ine Juniper tree the last time I will tree. But each time after 2000 years, a blink of the eye to see it’s few this think this will Return Trip The return trip offers other treats as you stay to the right at the first intersection and walk along the “shady route.” This section is thick with thimbleberry bushes, and in August, there are ripe berries that just beg to be eaten! At the second “T” intersection, go to the right. You’ll be back on the original trail where you'll make a steady descent back to the trailhead. Visit www.ovba.org for SPECIAL OFFERS from local businesses, and view the COMMUNITY CALENDAR -yX Competitors complete the 2006 Ogden Valley Triathlon inside the Huntsville Town Park. Photo courtesy of Kera Erickson. SOAR eS elk ic UXURY Huntsville EAGLE Ogden Valley charmer reduced $30,000! 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