Friday, May 3, 2013

Mount Timpanogos



 I grew up in Utah County, south of the Great Salt Lake, along the Wasatch Front. The Wasatch Front is the westernmost edge of the Rocky Mountains and, in my opinion, they are the most beautiful mountains. One of the most iconic mountains in Utah County is Mount Timpanogos. It is a mountain that is so recognizable because of a legend that everyone is told (although is totally made up) about an Indian maiden.

The legend says that an Indian maiden, Utahna, committed suicide by throwing herself off the mountain in a Romeo and Juliet fashion after her true love, Red Eagle, died from injuries he suffered in a bear attack. Utahna then became part of the mountain and you can see her silhouette today as a maiden lying down.

If you look just right, you can see the shape of the woman on the mountain. And once you see it, you will never NOT see it.


 I grew up in the shadow of Mount Timpanogos. It is by far the most familiar landscape to me. My sister currently lives with a spectacular view of Timp in her backyard. She asked if I would design something with the silhouette of the mountain on it for her. So for her birthday, I am going to design a scarf that has this iconic silhouette.

Here is what I am thinking in a quick sketch:



It’s going to be epic and big but that is how the mountain is, so here goes. 

10 comments:

  1. That labeled photo of the mountain in not right. the head is at the other end with the hair flowing down the mountain

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  6. Hello! I am from Quebec, Canada. I am writing an article (in French) on Mount Timpanogos, the caves of which I visited several years ago. I would like to use your photo with the parts of Timpanogos profile shown above Mt. Will you give me permission to use this photo in my article which will be published with others in a book? I very much appreciate everything you have written about this magnificent mountain that is Mount Timpanogos. My name is Conrad Laplante. My email address is conradlaplantelds@gmail.com.

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  7. Hello. I am a retired U.S. Park Ranger writing my memoirs for my family and a few friends. I started this project for fun, then it became a project so that my grandchildren would know about my life as a ranger. I am not going to publish it for profit. Only 25 copies will be printed.
    I worked at Timpanogos Cave National Monument in the 1970’s but didn’t take any photos of the mountain. I want to use your photo of Mount Timpanogos to go along with the legend I used to tell on tour. May I have your permission to use the unlabeled Mount Timp photo in my “Ranger Bob Stories”?
    contact me at bobbyleensandy@hotmail.com

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  8. The labeling is completely wrong. Her head is at the north end. It's a 3/4 profile turned east, with her hair flowing northwest. There are even some smaller peaks and plateaus that at correct viewing angles form pillows. You can see her shoulder and right arm just after the scoop of her neck. The blanket is bunched around her waist and hips.

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