Terraces to Elbow Fork Snowshoe Hike

Sign at top of Terraces picnic area

 Today I had a gorgeous snowshoe hike in Millcreek Canyon.  I drove about 3.8 miles up the canyon (from the fee booth) and parked on the left side of the road across from the Terraces picnic area.  You can get to Elbow Fork by going up the road about 1.5 miles from this point, but I took the long scenic route, which made it just over 3 miles to Elbow Fork.  I followed the road up to the top of the Terraces picnic area. This is only about 1/4 mile, but it gets your heart beating, as it is pretty steep. Just past the restrooms (they are locked), you will see a trailhead sign. If you go to the right, you will go to Bowman Fork, which I have done before. But today I went to the left. It is level and easy at first. Then it goes up some fairly steep switchbacks up to a ridge. I was glad others had made tracks before me, as I am not sure I would have been able to stay on the trail with this much  snow.  It was fun to be on a hike where I actually needed snowshoes.  The view from the ridge is fantastic.  You can see down into Porter Fork, down into the Salt Lake Valley, and you can see across Millcreek Canyon where the pipeline trail runs. The ridge has many ups and downs, but is fairly easy.  There is one spot where you have to climb over a rocky spine, but there is nothing dangerous or difficult, and there are no areas where you need to worry about avalanches.  At the top of the ridges, you finally go down some switchbacks to a bridge near Elbow Fork.  I did not start hiking until 1 PM, and went a leisurely pace, taking lots of pictures. It took me 1 3/4 hours to Elbow Fork, then 35 minutes to go down the road to my car.  I saw a lot of deer tracks along the way, and one set of moose tracks.  I was glad I remembered sunscreen and chapstick, which I often forget. I wished I had worn my gaiters, as I kept getting snow down my boots.  I also wish I had brought my thermometer, as I wondered what the temperature was. It was 24 degrees in the valley, and a bit cooler in the mountains, although I was plenty warm with just a light jacket and gloves. I brought a hat but did not wear it.  Many people were bundled up like Eskimos.
     The weather could not have been more perfect.  Along the way, I remembered that today was the day some people thought would be the end of the world (The end of the Mayan Calendar).  I decided that if this were the end of the world, other than having my family with me, I could not think of a better way to spend a last day!  I did this hike again on Dec 29 with two of my sons and a nephew. The day was gorgeous again, and we placed a geocache on the ridge.
See http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=17d63d13-6bf0-4460-865a-51f70f595604.

Looking across canyon toward Mount Aire

View of Salt Lake Valley and back of  Grandeur Peak

Daniel, Jake and Tyler

A rare photo of myself in my blog (since I am usually behind the camera), between Daniel and Jake

Where we hid the geocache

My trekking poles resting next to the amazing alpaca wool hat
my Sweetie knitted for me.

A level part of the trail

Hiking along the ridge

Almost to Elbow Fork

Sun filtering through pines

Millcreek Canyon Snowshoe Hike to Yurt

The Yurt

An interesting "bug-eyed" bug out for a stroll

This is why I love snowshoeing!

 I did this hike November 16. It starts about 5 miles up Millcreek Canyon, which is as far as you can drive this time of year. It is almost 10 miles round trip to hike to the yurt and back. It took me 2 1/2 hours to go up, take pictures, etc. and about 1 1/4 to go back down at a brisk pace, even running a bit. You can rent the yurt from the Forest Service. It has a wood stove, all the firewood you need, and even restrooms near by. It sleeps 6 to 8 people. I want to try that sometime!  There was only one car in the lot when I started up at 7 AM.  I met this person at about the 3 mile mark, and she was cross-country skiing down with SIX dogs!  By the time I got back to the parking area, the lot was full of cars.
 More people ski this than snowshoe it, but there are a couple of
steep icy runs that I don't like, so I usually just snowshoe.  Many people just wear boots or running shoes, as it is usually well-packed and groomed.  I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of snow for this time of year; the road was completely covered.  One thing you don't want to do is dress too warmly, as it doesn't take long to work up a sweat. Layers of clothing is the way to go.  This was my first time out snowshoeing this year, and I forgot to bring my coat, but I
didn't need it. I was fine in my Underarmor shirt and pants.  The gloves were nice to have, though. I bought them at Recreation Outlet a while back on sale for about $5!   I saw tracks from a large moose, and a smaller one, that were made that morning. (No ice crystals formed in the prints, and the prints were very well-defined, and no frozen crust of snow in the prints.)  Several years ago we saw a moose in this canyon on our way up to snowshoe. We stopped our car and watched it, and several cars stopped behind us. A delivery truck was on the way down the canyon. The driver honked his horn, and when the moose did not move, he got out of his truck and tried to shoo it off the road by waving his arms. I wish I had gotten it on video! You CANNOT shoo a moose! The moose charged him, and with terror in his eyes, he jumped back in his truck!  Now the moose was mad, and it charged toward my Expedition. I guess the Expedition was larger than it wanted to tangle with, so it turned away, and instead charged the cute little red Volkswagon Jetta right behind us.  The moose kicked it several times, causing the two girls inside to scream loudly.  I'll bet that was an interesting insurance claim.  I took a picture of the moose with its tongue hanging out, and the Salt Lake Tribune published it  with the above story.  Anyway this is a fun hike with lots of options to go on side trails that I will blog about in the future.  If I had to have a dog, I would definitely bring it along on this hike (but only ONE dog, not SIX!)

Update 12/7/12   Andy and I drove up Millcreek Canyon this morning, driving very slowly where I slid off the road (see comments), and we hiked up to the yurt. We made good time, one hour, 45 minutes, without snowshoes.  Much of the snow had melted and there were many icy spots and bare spots on the road.  It was a beautiful day for a hike.  (But to me, ANY day is a beautiful day for a hike!)  The yurt was occupied this time, and seemed cozy with smoke coming out the flue.  We saw the lady with the six dogs that I had seen last time. She seemed happy as she was going back down, but as we were hiking down, we saw her going UP again, with only four dogs and no smile on her face, as two of the six dogs were running away from her.

Sun Just appearing about 8:15

I obeyed this sign after 2 hours of snowshoeing.

Trekking poles happy to wear snow baskets

These mittens are great for easy access to fingers for taking pictures or using GPS

At the 1.25 mile mark

The fog burning off to reveal a gorgeous day (12/7/12)

Me at the yurt on 12/7/12

Green's Basin

The destination, Green's Basin.

Beginning of the trail

 This is a nice little side hike off of Day's Fork trail. To get to the trailhead,, go 9.7 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon, and turn right into the Spruces Campground parking lot. (parking is free when the campground is closed, or you can park out on the road.) Head through the gate at the West end of the parking lot, pass some restrooms, and look for the trail sign to the right of a baseball field.  The first 1/4 mile is fairly steep. Just past the place where it levels out, you will see a trail branching off to the left. This is the trail to Green's Basin.  The hike is about 1.5 miles each way. About 1/4 mile before the meadow, is a trail on the left that goes straight down. I did not take it, but it looks like it goes to the cabins in Silver Fork.
     This is a beautiful hike, even when the Aspens are barren, and when I got to the meadow, I couldn't resist climbing to the top of the surrounding ridges to check out the view.  When I saw the huge old pine tree, I was pondering about why it is still here after all these years, and had not been cut down by loggers in the early days of Utah.  I think maybe it was because it was "defective" with its crooked trunk.

One week earlier, the aspens were covered with leaves; now they are bare.

I wonder how old this tree is.

The edge of Green's Basin

Stairs Gulch

Stairs Gulch

 This is a very short hike that begins 2.9 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  It is a very peaceful place to go sit and relax and read a book and listen to the sound of the cascading water. The trail starts on the right side of the road, maybe 50 feet past the turnoff for Storm Mountain Amphitheater. There is space for only a couple of cars in this spot, but you can also park above or below.  It was quite dark when I started, so I had to wait a while for enough light to take some pictures, as the hike is only 1/3 mile long! I had planned to hike up Mule Hollow, but that trailhead was closed for construction.  I made the hike a couple of miles long, by wandering around the Storm Mountain camping area across the road.

Storm Mountain

     When I was young, our next door neighbor, who was probably in his eighties told me that he was a Forest Ranger assigned to Storm Mountain, and they wouldn't build a cabin for him, because they said it would just get smashed by rock slides! He said he had to sleep in a tent, but never slept very well, as he kept thinking about rocks smashing into his tent!

I found this leaf "Just hangin' around."

This leaf was doing its own thing

Loop from Silver Lake to Lake Solitude to Twin Lakes

Rock Solidtude Geocache container

Silver Lake viewed from the trail to Twin Lakes

 I received an email that my Rock Solidtude geocache may be missing, so I headed up to check it out. On the way up Big Cottonwood Canyon, ( I was going to say "bright and early," but it was still dark, so that wouldn't apply), my headlights caught the glowing eyes of a mountain lion sitting on the pipeline on the side of the road.  I did not attempt to get any pictures of this, but it was cool to see!  I arrived at the Silver Lake trailhead (9.2 miles from the bottom of the canyon), and headed around the right side of the lake. I wore a jacket for the first time this year, as the temperature was cool enough for ice to be forming at the edges of the ponds. I took the marked trail to Lake Solitude, and arrived just as the sun hit the peaks above the lake, their reflection shimmering in the ripples  caused by a refreshing breeze.  I confirmed that the geocache was still there, and headed back toward the car. Just as the sun was rising, I found a geocache called "Sunrise at the Sunrise," (near the Sunrise ski lift).  I hiked back down to the main trail and saw a trail on  my right that bypasses Silver Lake, and heads over to Twin Lakes.  This is at gps coordinates  N 40* 36.492 W 111* 35.536.  This stretch of trail is quite level and scenic. I saw several deer along here, and laughed when one used its hind leg to scratch behind its ear like  dog.
  The view above Silver lake was incredible, with the sun illuminating the golden aspen leaves like a lantern.  After reaching Twin Lakes I climbed up a couple of hundred feet to a geocache called The Albino Miner.

One of several deer I saw 

View of Twin Lakes from Albino Miner Geocache

 I then headed back down to the trailhead, having wandered 4.8 miles that beautiful morning.  A couple of thoughts I had while hiking:
      What made that one aspen leaf among millions of others, turn red?
     How much does a Smart Car weigh?  ( I saw a sign that said a moose can weigh 1600 pounds, and I thought that is probably what a Smart Car would weigh, and I checked it on Google, and sure enough, 1600 pounds!
   

One red aspen leaf among millions of yellow ones

Fifth Water Hot Springs

Along the trail to the Hot Springs

Near the half-way point

View of the lower pools early in the morning

 This is one of my all-time favorite hikes. I love this hike  all seasons of the year, but none better than in the Fall.  We backpacked there this past weekend, and the fall colors were so bright they almost hurt our eyes!
This is an easy and scenic hike. It is not uncommon to see families with 2 and 3-year-olds  hiking up here.  To get to the trailhead from Salt Lake City, head South on I- 15 and take the exit to Highway 6 East toward Price. When you get off the freeway, zero your odometer as you pass the McDonalds and go 9.7 miles up Spanish Fork Canyon. If you forgot to check your mileage at McDonalds, you can start clocking just as you pass those awesome huge windmills about 4 miles up the canyon, and go 5 miles from there.  At that point, look for a large brown sign pointing left to Diamond Campground. This is where you turn left.  (If you reach the turnoff to Manti, you went a bit too far.)  As soon as you turn left at the brown sign, reset your odometer and go 9.6 miles up Diamond Fork Canyon.  If you want to take a fun little rest stop, look for a red rock picnic area 6.7 miles up the canyon on your left.    (I think it is called Red Cliff)  From the parking lot you can look up to your right, and see marks on the cliff where there used to be a waterfall, maybe 50 yards away. In the spring there is some water running down it. At the base of the waterfall is a carving of a sun, that looks very old, and according to some journal, I believe, was carved by the Escalante party in 1776.  There is one spot on the climb up there that is kind of difficult, but there is usually a rope hanging there to help you pull yourself up.   After this little stop, get back in your vehicle and drive another 2.9 miles up Diamond Fork Canyon ( or 9.6 miles from the bottom of the canyon).  At this point, you will see a sign that says
Three Forks Trailhead.  Turn in here and park your car. If the lot is full, you will have to drive 1/2 mile further up or back down the canyon and park on the side of the road.)As of June 4, 2024 a fee will be charged to use this area. There will be a pay tube at the parking lot. Bring $10 cash or check and a pen or pencil to fill out the envelope. You can also buy a pass at the Spanish Fork Ranger district. A 1 year pass is $60. Or you can buy an America the Beautiful pass for $80. If you are a senior you can buy a lifetime pass. From this parking lot, you go through the gate behind the restrooms. Do not go over the footbridge.   Just follow the trail about 2 1/2 miles to the hot pots.  There is a footbridge about half way, that crosses Sixth Water, which comes from Strawberry Reservoir, and has some good fishing!  As you approach the hot springs, you will notice a sulphur odor, and you know you are close. Once you get in the springs, you quickly forget about the slight odor as you luxuriate in the warm water!  There are several different pools to explore, each with different temperatures.  About 100 yards above the first pools, is a waterfall  where you can climb underneath it and stick your upper body through  a hole in the built-up minerals.  If you climb up above this waterfall, you will find some more hot pots; past that is a beautiful triple waterfall, and past that, are several great places to set up a tent if you backpacked in.

Steam rising from the hot pots

photo taken earlier in the year

Dog Lake

Looking back across Big Cottonwood Canyon

An inviting trail

So peaceful

Sunrise through the aspens

Dog Lake before the dogs arrived

This being an odd-numbered day, my trekking poles were relieved that they had left the mountain bike  at home!

This hike begins 9.6 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon, at Mill D North Trailhead, on the left side of the road.   It is an easy hike, and very scenic. The book says it is a 2 mile hike to Dog Lake, but my gps read 6.4 miles round trip. Maybe that is because I wandered around taking pictures, and did about 5 geocaches along the way.  I started at 7:15 AM, and there was frost on the ground. I carried a jacket, but did not need it, as I warmed up quickly.  I saw moose tracks crossing the trail to the stream, but no moose.  I had the trail to myself the entire hike, but saw a man and lady dressed from head to toe  in matching camo (the lady's backpack was camo with pink trim); they were bow hunting, but not successfully at that point. As I was about to leave Dog Lake, about a dozen loud hikers with even louder dogs arrived from the Millcreek Canyon side, and the pristine reflection of fall trees in the lake was gone. Oh well; the dogs were fun to watch, tirelessly fetching sticks in the lake!
     On the way down, I chatted with 2 ladies that asked about great places to hike. I told them about my blog, and discovered that they went to Cottonwood High School with one of my sons.

Twin Lakes

Looking down on Silver Lake from Twin Lakes Trail

Twin Lakes

I hiked to Twin Lakes this morning and did a few Geocaches along the way. I saw a couple of large deer on the way up. I parked at Silver Lake, went around to the right until I reached the trail that branches off the other side. I took that for a short distance, then followed the sign that points to the left. It is a pretty easy trail, not too steep, a little rocky in places. It was 1.65 miles to the lake, but I wandered around a bit looking for geocaches, and had some excellent views that I would have missed.
     Twin lakes is really only one lake, but before the dam was put in, it was two separate lakes. I only saw one other person at the lake, so it was very peaceful. I wish I had brought my fishing pole!  On the way down, I looked about 5 feet off the trail, and saw an OWL!  I have seen very few owls in the wild, so I was very excited. Unfortunately it flew off before I could get a picture of it. It was quite small, maybe 10 inches tall, but it's wings sounded very powerful as it flew by.

Bear Trap Fork

I started the Labor Day Holiday with a great Moutainman breakfast.

The beginning of the hike, with my Trekking poles patiently waiting

A very serene trail

 My sweet wife suggested that I go hiking today, so I jumped at the chance. There were hundreds of vehicles in the canyon, and I was expecting a crowded trail but that was not the case. I drove 10.4 miles up the canyon from the stop light at the bottom.  (This is different from the posted mile signs along the road; I don't know where they started their miles!)  There are no signs posted telling you that this is Bear Trap Fork, but once you start on the dirt road, in about 100 yards you will see an inviting trail that leaves the road off to the left. There are no signs at all on the trail either, but it is easy to follow. This hike was incredibly peaceful and serene. The forest floor was soft and silent in places, and all I could hear was a slight squeak of my leather boots that I had  never noticed before,  birds chirping,  a slight breeze whistling through the pine needles, and some aspen leaves quaking.   In spite of this being a holiday, I did not encounter a single person for over an hour and a half. Then I met the only other hikers of the entire hike, a family of four, and the teenage daughter said,  'You are almost there. Get ready for a stunning view." And she was right.

Desolation Lake 

My trekking poles enjoying the view

The Great Western Trail aka The Wasatch Crest Trail

After hiking for 2 1/2 miles I came to an amazing view point, where I could see Park City and the Uintah mountains to the Northeast, The Great Salt Lake to the Northwest, the Salt Lake Valley, the Oquirrh mountains and Deseret Peak to the Southwest, (also the back side of Mount Olympus), and Twin Peaks to the South.  The air was very clear, due to the heavy rains we had the last two days.  The gps coordinates for this point are:
N 40* 39.602 W 111* 35.838.  At this point, I sat on a log and ate some crackers and some Justin's all natural Chocolate Hazelnut Butter, a great snack!  I read a paperback book and just relaxed for a few minutes. I heard a swishing sound, and looked up to see a large hawk soaring right next to me on a thermal. I was actually looking down on the hawk, and had a great view of it.