Church Bells in Rattlesnake Gulch?! (Easy 1.5 miles round trip hike)

 Here it is almost Christmas, and there is still not enough snow to snowshoe, but my trekking poles were begging for a hike, and I wanted to try out my new "Icetrekker" boot chains that I picked up on sale at REI for $13.99.  I have done this hike at all times of year, and winter is my favorite. OK, there are not actually  church bells in Rattlesnake Gulch, but there is an old metal sign at about 3/4 mile that sounds exactly like a church bell when you throw a rock at it or hit it with your trekking pole.  It sounds really cool, and reverberates for about 20 seconds.  One advantage of hiking solo, is that I can ring the gong for as long as I want to!  I want very much to know if it can be heard from the trail head!

The "gong" sign

     The trail head is just under one mile from the pay booth in Millcreek Canyon. (If you don't have an annual pass, and you hike early, nobody is in the booth, and you will save the  $2.25 fee on your way out.) The trailhead is on the left side of the road, a very wide area with a sign and room for several cars to park. I was surprised that I was the first car to arrive, but I guess I should not be so surprised, because it was still quite dark!  You almost never need snow shoes on this trail, as it gets packed down quickly, but you should have some kind of  cleats or chains on your boots/shoes.  On my way back down, I saw a mom carrying a baby in a baby back pack, and all she had on her feet were plain old running shoes; kind of scary!
     The trail starts out at a slight incline, then steepens into some long switchbacks. After about 15 minutes you will come to a T in the trail. Go to the left to get to the gong, and the Salt Lake Valley overlook.  A few more switchbacks, and you will be on a level trail the rest of the way. At 3/4 of a mile from the trailhead, you will see the rusty but sturdy sign on your right. Go ahead, hit it a few times; The gong sounds long and clear in the cold, dense mountain air!  I continued on the trail another mile to a great view of the valley, then nabbed a geocache on my way down:
http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC3C8GF_pipearazzi?guid=2f99b815-6304-4b9b-93e5-cb460d6496e9
     So, this was a successful little winter hike as my trekking poles and I got a good workout, my new boot chains worked well, I found another geocache, and best of all, I got to ring the gong in the cold mountain air!  Is anybody up for a New Year's Eve hike up Rattlesnake Gulch to ring in the new year?

Turn left at this sign

View of Salt Lake Valley

A cool  large rock at base of switchbacks

"Icetrekker" boot chains

Delicate Arch (3 miles round trip, quite easy)

I heard about a Utah Dept. of Wildlife trip in Green River Utah to look for Big Horn Sheep, so I got together with a couple of brothers for a fun day-trip.  We left Salt Lake early to meet in the John Wesley Powell Museum parking lot at 8 A.M.  where we convoyed about 8 miles to a good dirt road called Hastings road that winds for 9 miles along the Green River.  We saw Big Horn sheep high on the cliffs, and one much closer across the Green River.  Even if you do not see Big Horn sheep, this is a cool area to explore and do some geocaching. One geocache will take you to an old cabin: http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC2A38M_nefertiti-cache  and another will take you right to some very cool petroglyphs: http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC2A38M_nefertiti-cache.

We then went to Ray's Tavern on Main Street for an amazing cheeseburger and fries. (That alone is worth the 3 hour drive!)

We then continued East on I 70 and then south on 191 to Arches National Park, about a 45 minute drive from Green River.  Once you get to the Entrance and pay the fee or show your pass, it is another 45 minute drive to the well-marked trailhead.  This turned out to be a great time of year to hike, with cooler temperatures, and not too many people.  (The trailhead coordinates are N 38* 44'08.7" W 109* 31' 14.3")   At the beginning of the trail you can explore the Wolfe Cabin, and some Ute Indian Petroglyphs.  The trail is easy to follow, with stairs cut into the rock in a few places, but mostly just following cairns (stacked up rocks) across the slick rock.   The entire trail is very scenic, with enough variety that you will be surprised at how quickly you arrive at this magnificent arch! There were people of all ages and degrees of fitness, some carrying infants. Sunset is a very fun time to be there, especially when there is a full moon, but be sure to bring a headlamp or flashlight for the hike back.

Big Horn sheep across the Green River

The famous Delicate Arch

Miles on new trekking poles: 18

View on the way down rom the arch

Reflection of setting sun on creek

Wolfe Ranch

Stone cabin along Green River

Petroglyphs at end of Hastings road

View of Green River on way back into town.

Lake Solitude (again)

Bull Moose fighting just below Solitude. Photo by Ben Reschke

My son, grandson, and I hiked up to Lake Solitude recently and discovered that All  of the signs had been taken down! Maybe to protect them from winter weather? There were many lost hikers wandering around, so I thought I should give directions that can be followed even without signs.  This is an easy hike 1.5 miles each way.  This hike is almost at the top of  Big Cottonwood Canyon, 9.6 miles from the bottom. Park in the fairly small Silver Lake parking lot, or across the road in the large lot near the small store if that is full.  Go to the boardwalk behind the visitors center, follow it to your right to the other side of Silver Lake.  You will see a wide trail branching off to your right.  Go a short distance up this trail until you see the trail split.  Take the trail that goes uphill to the right. (Left will take you to Twin Lakes). After you hike a fairly long flat section of trail with an aspen grove on your right, you will come to another split in the trail.  There is a tall pine with a number 14 on it (See pic below). Take the trail to your left.  You will see a cut tree section with a red arrow spray painted on it to guide you (See Pic below). After continuing farther, you will come to what looks like the end of the trail, but if you look to your left, you will see 2 large fallen trees across a steep trail to your left.  This is where you need to go. It is steep, but only about 200 feet up.  At the top of this you will see Lake Solitude. There are wonderful rocks to rest on before you head back,  or you can find the geocache that I hid there (http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCQ6DG_rock-solidtude?guid=e40a7151-207c-4038-9949-191b2a35388a), or you can explore the other side of the lake and poke your head in a tunnel.  

New trekking poles now have 9 miles
on them.

Lake Solitude

Geocache log being signed with a tiny pencil

Under side of geocache

Beaver-gnawed tree near geocache

Arrow shows the way

When you see this true, stay left

Silver Lake in late October

Salt Lake Valley Overlook-Desolation Trail

This is a fun little hike that I have been doing for 50 years.  It is easy, and makes a nice trail run. Dogs are allowed, which could be a plus or a minus.  I won some new carbon fiber trekking poles at a drawing at Recreation Outlet last week, so I got to try them out.  I estimate that my old poles have about 3000 miles on them, and I may keep track of the mileage of my new ones!
     To get to the trailhead drive 3.2 miles up Millcreek Canyon from Wasatch Blvd.  Just past Millcreek Inn on the right, you will see South Box Elder Picnic area. This is where you park.
The trail starts to the right of the restrooms. (gps coordinates N 40* 41.848' W111* 44.403') A sign says it is 2 miles to the Salt Lake Overlook, but this is a lie; It is actually 2.4 miles. Maybe they added some switchbacks since the sign was made?  A short distance up the trail, you will see a wooden sign that says Thaynes Canyon straight ahead, and Desolation Trail to the right.  Go to the right, up the switchbacks.  The trail is easy to follow, and has a lot of shade from Pines and Maple trees, and some scrub oak at the lower portions.  At 2.4 miles you will see the lookout.  (gps coordinates N40* 41.345' W111* 44.583') As I approached the lookout, three Elderly ladies asked me where I parked, and when I told them, they said, "Oh Dear, we are going the wrong way, we wanted to go farther up the trail!"  I was a little worried about them, but I didn't see anything on the evening news about missing Elderly hikers, so I guess they made it!
     If you are a geocacher, there is a geocache that you must do; It is called Bill's Arch. Click on this link to see some close-up pictures: http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC12FVB_bills-arch?Submit6=Go . I found this with my son in 2008. It was my 600th geocache find.  I was amazed that I had been hiking past this for so many years and did not know it was there. Even if you are not a geocacher, if you are observant, you can see it.  As you go back down,  in less than one mile, you will come to a gulch. If you look in front of you, you can see the arch in the distance. (See picture below)  There is not an actual trail up to it, but after you cross the gulch, you will come to a spine of rock.  If you are ambitious, you can climb uphill about 100 feet, and get to the arch.  It is not an easy climb, but it is pretty cool.  If you do not want to take the exact same trail back to your vehicle, you can take a slight detour;  at one of the switchbacks you will see a wooden sign pointing to Thayne's Canyon.  You can take that, and have a nice, easy straight hike down the canyon. I think it is actually slightly shorter because you avoid some switchbacks.

Choose the right

Pipeline trail is across the canyon

Bill's arch from a distance

New trekking poles now have 6 miles on them!

   

Bear Trap Fork to Desolation Lake and Return via Mill D North Trail.

This is an incredible hike this time of year.  I started at Bear Trap Fork, 10.5 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. This is not a marked trailhead, but is one of the most scenic, non-crowded trails I have been on. ( See photo below of the gate you park by).  I had not intended this to be a loop hike,, but I was having too much fun and decided to extend it by returning via Mill D North trail. I then hiked 1.6 miles up the road from Mill D North back to my car.  If you are going to do this with only one vehicle, I would recommend parking at Mill D North trailhead, then hiking up the road at the beginning of your hike instead of at the end!   The trail goes behind the gate as a dirt road.  Very soon you will see a trail that branches off to the left of the road.  Take this trail.  (Right now there is a large fallen tree blocking the road at this point).   From this point, there are no other decisions to be made, just enjoy the varying terrain, starting with some switchbacks, then following  a small stream for quite some distance. I saw many moose tracks, but no moose today. Most of the trail is a gentle climb with intermittent level areas and some beautiful meadows.  The last 1/2 mile is a bit steeper, but never too strenuous.  At about 2 1/2 miles, you will have a fantastic view of Desolation lake down to your left.  Chances are, you will not see any other hikers until you reach the ridge where you may encounter mountain  bikers traversing park to the Great Western Trail, also known as the Wasatch Crest Trail.  Follow this trail to the other side of the lake, where you have a view of Park City on your right, and a view of the Salt Lake Valley and Kennecott Copper Mine on your left.  If you are a geocacher, you can find a nice cache  http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC7EE_memory-exchange-revised?guid=f30d20a5-4ba6-4f97-bc25-3f0681b54d03 on the ridge before making your way down some easy switchbacks to Desolation Lake.  From the lake, you will see the trail sign pointing you toward Dog Lake and the Mill D North trail.  This is a scenic downhill trail taking you to the junction and sign pointing you straight ahead to Dog Lake or Left to the Mill D North Trailhead. ( If you want to make this into a 10 mile hike, go uphill .5 miles to Dog Lake and back.)  From this junction the route is almost all downhill to the Mill D north trailhead.  My gps said 8.98 miles when  I got back to my car, so I just had to wander around a bit to make it an even 9 miles!

Desolation Lake from Great Western Trail

Along Bear Trap Fork

Mill D North Trail

I almost expected to hear angels singing as the sun
 broke from the clouds and hit this triangle of fall leaves!

Toward Mill D North Trailhead

Bear Trap Fork Trailhead

Big Mountain Pass to Affleck Park

     This is a fun hike along a historic section of the Great Western Trail. It was originally blazed in 1846 by the ill-fated Donner Party, then used by the Mormon Pioneers a year later. Until 1861 when Parleys Canyon was opened, it was the trail for the California gold seekers, overland stage, Pony Express, and the original telegraph line!
     This was the Hike of the Week in the Sept. 25 2014 Salt Lake Tribune. It is called Historic Pioneer Trail.  There are some errors in the article though: It says Round Trip Miles are 2.5, but that is ONE WAY!  Also, it says hiking time is 3 hours, but I went REALLY slow, taking pictures and looking for geocaches, and it still took me only 2 1/2 hours.
     To get to the trailhead, drive East on I 80 out of Salt Lake.  Four minutes up Parleys Canyon, take the exit to East Canyon, turn left off of the freeway, and drive a little over 8 miles up Highway 65 toward East Canyon Reservoir.  Along the way, you will see Little Dell Reservoir on the right, Affleck Park on the left; then the road will climb steeply until it levels out at the summit. This is the large Big Mountain Pass Parking Lot.  (gps coordinates N 40* 49.668' W 111* 39.244')  There are actually 4 trails that leave from this lot, but you will be taking the trail that is on your right (South side) as you pull in. It goes downhill immediately.  This is a  nice trail, part of the Great Western Trail, and once you are on it, you won't get lost.   You have great views as you hike down some switchbacks. It levels off after about 1 mile, and you will cross two bridges in quick succession. At mile 1.53 you will cross the highway (gps coordinates N 40* 49.202' W 111* 39.997) When crossing, listen for any traffic, then cross quickly as a vehicle coming around the curve would have a hard time stopping!   If you are into geocaching, before you cross the road, find the geocache called Original Mormon Trail.  Even if you are not a geocacher, if you click on this link, the description is very interesting to read: http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC339XP_original-mormon-trail . There is also another  nice cache near here that I was the first to find: http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC56WEP_spoiled-felines-rejoice-2.
     After you cross the road, continue on the trail.  You will pass through an area that has been recently decimated by beavers!   It made me think that the beavers had a futile neighborhood work project designed to stop those pesky mountain bikes from driving by their neighborhood! About 1/2 mile after you cross the road, you will come to a fork in the trail. Take the left branch that goes downhill to a bridge.  Another 1/2 mile will bring you to your destination, Affleck Park. Have a little rest on a picnic bench and head back up the way you came.
     Some alternatives to this hike would be to park at Affleck Park and hike uphill to the Big Mountain Pass, (When I was there, the park was already closed for the season, so you would have to park on the road)  You would pick up the trail right by campsite #44.  You could also park on the road where the trail crosses the road (gps coordinates: N 40* 49.202 W 111* 39.997) and hike up or down the trail from there.  As I began this hike, I thought, "Gosh, I will have to hike back UP this trail," but I actually found it very easy to hike back up, and didn't even get my heart rate up.

Here is a tally of some things I saw:
Deer:  3
Piles of deer guts right by the trail (presumably from a Black Powder Hunter): 1
Hikers also doing the Hike of the week: 2
Mountainbikers: 5
Dead Porcupines: 1
Many moose tracks, cool birds, and flowers.

Looking South from the trailhead

Interesting Marker at trailhead

Pioneers' First view of SaltLake Valley

Sunrise.

One of the bridges at mile 1

Busy beavers' work

"Experienced" trekking poles

Affleck Park

Sun fully up at end of hike

   

Clayton Peak, Lackawaxen Lake, Bloods Lake loop

This was a fun Labor Day hike, even if it was a bit crowded at Bloods Lake.  This hike is a modification of the "Hike of the Week" published in the Salt Lake Tribune last Thursday. That hike did not go to the top of Clayton Peak and did not go to Lackawaxen Lake, but even with those changes the hike was just 4.3 miles. It has fantastic views in all directions, and beautiful scenery with some huge pines over 4 feet in diameter, plenty of Aspens, and many lakes can be seen. It is moderate in difficulty due the elevation gain (2700 feet), and for some boulder-hopping in some sections, but I saw hikers of all ages from about 5 years old to 75 years old!  To get to the trailhead, drive 13.6 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and turn left onto Guardsman's Pass.  Drive to the top of the pass and park in the dirt parking lot, being sure to set your parking brake, so your vehicle does not join those way down below! There is no guardrail.   The trail starts at a big white sign with faded letters, so it can no longer be read.  If you are facing the sign, you will be hiking up the steep trail to your right. (The trail behind the sign is the one you will be returning on).  The trail ascends a ridge and is easy to follow.  You read higher and higher peaks. About the 4th one, is called 10420 on topo maps, because that is the elevation. Not a very creative name, but a geocache description up there called it Venture Peak. The geocache is a fun one. Here is the link: http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC5ANY8_i-can-see-i-can-see-my-house-from-here-from-here?guid=901c3ba4-9bb6-4142-8902-d159e5aa15fd.
I happened to be the first to find this one!  When you reach 10420, continue down the trail that descends the other side from where you came up. At the saddle,( gps coordinates N 40* 35.815'       W 111* 33.562')  you will see a trail branch off to the left. If you don't feel like climbing to the top of Clayton Peak, you can take it.  But I continued straight, towards the summit of Clayton Peak. It is less than 1/2 mile from the saddle, and is a bit steep but fun.  There is a geocache at the top of Clayton Peak: http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC4RQV4_clayton-peak?guid=3c143d03-6900-4951-b66b-f00d8e0957ec.  It was difficult to find, but I finally found it.  Two men were at the summit with communications equipment. They told me they were getting ready for the Wasatch 100 next weekend. If you have never heard of it, look it up! It is a 100 mile trail run, and i believe the record is about 19 hours!  I could do it, but it would take me about 10 days!
   After you enjoy the view from Clayton Peak, hike back down to the saddle, and take the trail you passed up earlier.    Descend this trail for about 500 feet, and  it will intersect a trail.  If you go right, it will take you to Lackawaxen Lake which is about 1/3 of a mile away on an easy trail, except for a boulder field you will have to cross just before you arrive at the lake.  This is a hidden gem of a lake that is  beautiful and uncrowded.  I went to check on a geocache that I placed there 3 years ago, and only 4 people have visited it!:http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC349PK_lackawaxen-lake-cache?guid=340f98db-b11c-421f-9829-9fb052b68696.
Now hike back the way you came, but instead of turning left toward the saddle, continue straight and the trail will take you to Blood's Lake. You will come to a place where the trail splits. Stay to the right to go the most direct route to Blood's Lake. The trail is easy, except for a steep part just before you reach the lake.   From Blood's Lake you are only 1/2 mile from your car. When you get to the lake, you will see the obvious trail to your right. It is fairly steep but easy to follow.

The rising sun reflecting off of Blood's Lake on the way up to Peak 10420 

Trekking Poles resting against a cairn atop
Peak 10420.

Some amazingly tasty raspberries her the top of Clayton Peak.

View of Lackawaxen Lake from Clayton Peak

Lackawaxen Lake in the distance

Lackawaxen Lake

Approaching Blood's Lake