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.