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

Wagner Spring

This is another Hike of the Week from the Salt Lake Tribune, originally published 5/6/2012. It is easy, and would be fun for children.  It is a  little under 3 miles round trip, and took me 1 1/2 hours, but that included finding 4 geocaches.  If you are a Geocacher, be sure to download the geocaches in the area. There are some cool ones. ( You can use GC1KCQ3 as a target geocache  for your Pocket Query  http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC1KCQ3_solsbury-hill-wasatch?guid=123daf70-f583-439a-a62b-db9d4e81568a. Click to see some cool pictures of the area. That cache is at the destination, the top of a hill.) The trailhead is right across the street from Hogle Zoo on Sunnyside Avenue. Turn left into the first possible parking lot after you pass Pioneer Trail State Park. The trailhead parking is immediately to your right after you turn in, next to the Zoo North Lot. (GPScoordinates N40 45.054 W 111 48.693) Park your car and walk through the gap in the fence. If you go left, you will be on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, but instead go right, and up the hill. You will come to a trail junction at .23 miles. There is a sign post, but no sign. Go to the right.  Now just follow the trail for a while. If you are a geocacher, be sure to look for the geocache called Big Beacon 2. http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC2GD1Q_big-beacon-2?guid=7858280a-dbce-4b75-a1b0-8ac465120771 It has a very cool container. Even if you are not a geocacher, you can look for it; Here's how: Less than 1/2 mile from your vehicle, you will have a great view of what looks to be a dog park down below on your right.  When you are about even from the restrooms at the dog park, you are maybe 100 yards from the cool geocache. After a clear, straight portion of trail, you will come to a Gambel Oak maybe 5 feet tall on your right. Below that Oak is a rock, pictured below. Turn the rock over and you will be surprised. It is one of my favorite geocaching containers!  Be sure to reposition the rock the way you found it!  If you have children along, that would be a fun thing for them to look for. If you find it using my description, please let me know!  About 1/2 mile into the hike, you will see a large concrete tank on your left. This is Wagner Spring.  It has kind of a cool view.  If I were a Freshman at the U, I would set up a candlelight dinner here for a fun date!   There is another pretty good geocache maybe 20 feet North of the tank. http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCWKYN_wagner-springs-tank-cache?guid=851af906-f7f4-4795-b7d1-d7d351f1369e
     Continuing past the tank, in a couple of minutes you will reach another junction. Go to the right up the hill.  At the 1 mile point, you will reach a buried crude oil pipeline, marked by several signs.
Apparently, the owner of a black wide tip permanent marker, who has anger problems and a foul vocabulary, does not like the oil pipeline for some reason.  (He missed a few of the signs farther up the hill though.)  At the pipeline, turn right and head up the hill.  At the top of the hill, you will come to another intersection. Go right, and head toward the higher hill that has a dirt road going straight up it.  It looks like it should be difficult and tiring, but I found it to be quick and easy. There is a bright yellow bike trail marker on top, and another geocache. http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC1KCQ3_solsbury-hill-wasatch?guid=123daf70-f583-439a-a62b-db9d4e81568a I enjoyed the view, but did not stay too long, because there was some lightning headed that way, and I did not want me and my aluminum trekking poles to be the highest things around!  I went down the way I came. At the trailhead, I noticed a hand written sign that I had not seen at the beginning. It said, Caution. Mountain Lion was seen on trail on 8/22/14 at 2:15 PM.  One week almost to the minute, from when I hiked this trail!

Trailhead

Wagner Spring Tank

Oil Pipeline

Second to last hill. Watch for cacti on sides of road

Almost there!

Trekking poles enjoying the view.

View from top of  hill.

The cool geocache. Trekking poles give perspective
of size of rock.

The cougar warning that I saw after the hike.

Deaf Smith Canyon

This was a "Hike of the Week" in the Salt Lake Tribune on 8/14/14.  It is a fun little hike, but  it is not heavily travelled and there is not much of a trail for a lot  of the way. I did not see a single piece of litter on this hike, and that is very rare!  The trail is  less than 2 miles each way, but seems a little longer! You have to go over/under several fallen trees, and you will swear  that you have lost the trail, but as there is no other option, you keep going, then find remnants of a trail again.  If you are too preoccupied  trying to follow the trail, you may forget to look up at the gorgeous huge, towering pines and aspen.  If you bring small children, you will be helping them much of the way.
     To get to the trail head, from the stop light at the bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon, head toward Little Cottonwood Canyon along Wasatch Boulevard.  After about 1 1/2 miles, you will see a fire station on the left.  Just past the station, turn left onto Kings Hill Drive. Drive 1/2 mile, then turn left onto  Golden Oak Drive.  Park along the road, and go through the gate at the end of the road.  There are "No Trespassing " signs all over, but the trail is open to the public, so don't let that deter you, just stay on the trail.  After a few minutes of trail, you will come to another neighborhood.  I guess somebody in this neighborhood had some influence to have the trail start in the other neighborhood!  Turn left up the paved road for a short distance, and you will again be on dirt trail, headed up the canyon.  A short way up the canyon, the trail splits. Stay to the right to go up the South fork.  Part way up, maybe 3/4 mile mark, I saw a lone apple tree with a nice crop of apples.  They looked very tempting, but they were just out of reach, even with my trusty trekking poles.  I wonder if some miner many years ago stopped to eat his lunch and threw his apple core there!  You will cross a couple of rock piles, again thinking you have lost the trail, but keep going, you are almost there.  When you come to a small bridge, you have made it.  There is a fire pit, wood bench, a place where the stream is dammed up to form a tiny pond, and a  cave with a rock wall to shelter it.  When you head back the way you came, you will see a trail off to your right that takes you to a nice view of the valley. Then you have to make your way back down to the trail.
     The rest of this blog is not about the hike, but here is an interesting story:  As I was about to return to my car, I heard a voice reading the description of the hike in the previous day's Tribune.  So I waited for them to arrive, and had a nice visit with  a retired pediatrician and his daughter.  When he told me his name, I asked if he knew anyone with his last name, and first name Rich.  He told me Rich was his brother.  It turns out that 23 years ago, during the Gulf War, I was stationed in the Army in a small town in Germany.  On Christmas Eve, I went to to the base to check my mail.  The place was locked up, and there was a soldier looking lonely and cold, sitting on his bags. I asked him what he was doing there, and he said he was a Reservist from Utah, activated for the war, and a bus had dropped him off, and left before he realized the place was locked up for the holiday!  So I took him home with me, and he spent Christmas with our family, staying two nights with us. We became good friends for the few months he was there, hiking to castles and doing Volksmarches on weekends. We lost contact with him when he went back home, and I was amazed to run into his brother on a remote hike in Utah!
     One cannot help but wonder where the name "Deaf Smith" came from.  I did a little research. In an excellent book by Charles L. Keller, called The Lady in the Ore Bucket, he says that nobody knows for sure, but the name was changed from Little Willow Canyon to Deaf Smith Canyon between 1952 and 1962. There is a Deaf Smith County in Texas, named after a deaf man that played an important role in the Texas Revolution.  There were many pioneers with the name Smith; maybe one of them was deaf.

The tempting apple tree

On the way up

Almost there

Bench and fire ring

Rock wall

Left by the person who built the bench?

View from detour on the way down

A beautiful hike!

Red Pine Lake (again)

I blogged this hike in August 2012 but decided to do it again.  This hike begins 7.2 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The trailhead is on the right side of the road, and a sign says "White Pine Trailhead."  The trail starts behind the restrooms, and crosses over a bridge.  Along the sides of the trail were delicious ripe raspberries, so we spent 20 minutes eating them.  The first mile is quite level and scenic.  When you have gone not quite a mile, you will see a junction, where a dirt road on your left makes a sharp turn. This is the way to White Pine Lake, but continue another 20 feet or so to a trail that heads up, also to the left.  This is the trail to Red Pine Lake.  At about 2.5 miles, you will see an inviting bridge on your right. Do not take this. That will take you to Maybird Gulch.  As you approach Red Pine Lake, you keep thinking you are almost there, expecting to see the lake any second, but it is a little farther than you expect.  You reach the lake after hiking 3.3 miles, and it is worth the effort!

Bridge at beginning of hike

Delicious ripe raspberries

Bridge along the way

Almost there

Trekking Poles taking a rest

Red Pine Lake

Water is very clear and looks pretty deep

Lake Solitude

I have included Lake solitude in older posts, but have not done a post on this lake alone.  I have a geocache by this lake that I hid 9 years ago, and it was finally time to place a new paper log in it, as the old one was full and a bit damp after all those seasons covered by several feet of snow!
This is the hike that inspired me to do a hiking blog, as my wife and I hiked up to this lake and she asked if I would like to get some new trekking poles, and I responded that theses poles had a lot of stories to tell!
     To get to this scenic, easy hike, drive 9.6 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon, park in the parking lot for Silver Lake, which is on your right near the beginning of the loop.  Take the boardwalk that goes around Silver Lake.  I went to the right, which is slightly shorter than the other direction.  At the far side of the lake, about 1/3 mile, you will see a trail and sign on the right. Take this trail a short distance to another sign that shows Twin Lakes to the left, and Lake Solitude to the right.  Go to the right, enjoying a beautiful, mostly shady trail. After maybe 3/4 mile of fairly level trail, the trail turns left and becomes steeper for about 200 feet.  Then you are treated to a beautiful lake, with majestic peaks in the background, plenty of rocks to rest on under the shade of huge pines.  You can walk completely around the lake and poke your head in an open mine shaft on the other side, and get a face full of cool, musty air.   If you have a gps you can search for my geocache, called Rock Solidtude,

http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCQ6DG_rock-solidtude?guid=e40a7151-207c-4038-9949-191b2a35388a

The underside of my geocache

Trekking poles enjoying the view of Lake solitude

The inviting trail to the lake

Some nice wildflowers

Couldn't resist stopping for breakfast on the deck of
Silver Fork Lodge

Perfectly cooked bacon. (The sourdough toast arrived
after I took this picture)