Ever since I read about this mountain here, it soared to the top of my hiking bucket list.

I can't believe I never heard of Bell Mountain before reading about it on a hiking blog.

I have mixed feelings about this place. It seems I am not the only one.

The graffiti has been here a long time and is just as much a part of this controversial mountain, as is the freshly paved road and jaded history.

In the not so distant past the only way to get here was to hike a very steep dirt road or by Jeep 4x4. From what my friend Jerimy says, getting here by 4x4 was most of the fun. The Subaru has no issue climbing this but even with a freshly paved smooth road it was steep and narrow.

But the Views...

We climbed up both using the new stairs and bouldered to the top on the other side. I did slip once but Shane was there to catch me. He offered to carry my camera gear but I knew if he slipped he would save himself and if I did, my first reaction would be to save the camera, so naturally I declined.

I am a firm believer in "leave no trace" yet it feels like a part of the landscape. I would love to have seen it the way God intended but it seems God did not make this to begin with. This spot is very much man made and the graffiti feels fitting, but I still can't help but feel a little sad.

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