Ridge East of Brighton Ski Resort

Our snowshoe hike this week was the ridge directly east of Brighton Ski Resort.  I don't know the name of this area, if it even has a name? Very  sorry!  To get to our hiking destination take the road to Guardsman Pass until you can go no further.  The majority of the Guardsman Pass road is closed and used for snowmobiles during the winter.  Make sure to park down the north side of the road away from the turnaround. (Snowmobile trailers need to use the turnaround.)  Walk past the gate that closes the road and under a very large power pole, keeping to your right and continue up the distinct trail.  Soon you will be looking down onto Brighton Ski resort's parking area and in full view of the majestic mountains.  This trail is a steep one and one I would probably avoid this area when avalanche danger is high.  We hiked for about a mile, pretty much straight up and was treated to some great mountain vistas and gnarled old trees.  It was a warm 43 degrees at the start of our hike!  Crazy!!  But no sunshine, boo hoo.  However, not a hike goes by that doesn't leave me feeling blessed for having done it.  Something about nature gets in your blood ♥

Mountain Vistas 

Gnarled Old Trees

 

Lightning struck this poor old tree.

 

Rabbit tracks??

Some kind of party going on in these mountains!

 (Expected to see some intoxicated, naked people)

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

200.2

Days Fork Trail

The Days Fork trail begins at the Spruces campground about 10 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Days Fork is a long side canyon heading directly south from the Spruces parking area and is a well established snowshoe and cross country ski trail.  This was my first time exploring Days Fork and I found yet another great hiking / snowshoeing trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon!  I have mentioned an awesome website on my blog before as an excellent guide for snowshoe trails.  A perfect description for the Days Fork trail #27 can be found at  http://www.snowshoeutah.com/  (Look in the Table of Contents for trail info).  

 

 In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous!  -Aristotle




Today it was finding and photographing ice crystals!

What powerful force of nature could have toppled this giant tree? 

We hike for about 1 3/4 mile to an open meadow before turning around and heading back down canyon. 

View from the meadow

 

Oh and by the way, it was warmer at Spruces campground at 29 degrees than at my house in Cottonwood Heights at 23 degrees.  Just sayin'!!

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

198.1

Rattlesnake Gulch Trail

What is more gorgeous than sun and freshly fallen snow? In December? In Utah?  You gotta love it if you live here, right!!  My weekend workout was a snowshoe hike on the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail to the Salt Lake City overlook.  This trail begins just passed the fee station in Millcreek Canyon.  The first mile of this snowshoe hike is a great cardio workout.  The next 3/4 mile is a leisurely stroll around the mountainside to an awesome view of the entire Salt Lake Valley. 

This was my first view of the valley with the snow covered Oquirrh Mountains in the background.  You must go around two more corners to get a view of downtown Salt Lake City and the Great Salt Lake.  Don't give up and turn around here - keep going!

 

A piece of the trail looking back at Millcreek Canyon

 Looking down on my car!

Looking up at the blue sky!

 

Two thumbs up for the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail!!

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

194.6

Little Cottonwood Trail

FINALLY we get snow!  I am happy dancing all over the place.  My snowshoe hike this week is Little Cottonwood Trail, a really nice short trail with a very cool destination.  We start our hike approximately 3 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon.  There is a small parking area with a trail sign on the right hand side of the road.  From this point it is a short 1/2 mile walk to an old granite ruin.  I have yet to learn the history of this old rock building - can't find anything about it on the internet.  This trail is the perfect beginner snowshoe trail, but one that I love doing over and over again.  Little Cottonwood Trail is a very popular bike trail in the summer and actually begins at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon at the Temple Quarry Trail so you could make it a much longer hike.  Much of the trail follows Little Cottonwood creek and is very fun to explore.  When the snow falls it is transformed into a magical winter wonderland.  It was a chilly 11 degrees yesterday afternoon when we started our hike, but remember "It is never too cold to showshoe". (OK, my fingers did get a little cold but only because I had to expose them to take pictures!)

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It's a marshmallow world in the winter, when the snow comes to cover the ground.  It's the time for play, it's a whipped cream day.  I wait for it all year round.  This scene reminded me of an old Christmas song from my childhood.

We were drawn to the water and ice!

Happy Me!

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

191.1

White Pine Trail

Sometimes I hike or snowshoe simply for exercise.  If the sun is shining and there are blue skies, I head for the canyons to do my workout.  I'm not a fan of gyms (boring!) - I know they work great for a lot of people, just NOT me.  Saturday morning was one of those crystal clear days beckoning me to the mountains for my weekend workout.  I chose the White Pine trail in Little Cottonwood Canyon and discovered a great snowshoe trail.  (Wishing for more snow!)  My workout goal was to snowshoe 1.5 miles up the trail then turn around and head back - no specific destination in mind.  Just enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views (and burn a few calories).

A rare, clear view of the Salt Lake Valley thanks to the strong winds which blew the haze away for just a day.

Bird in flight!

 It was such a beautiful day - so very thankful to be outside!

Some very fine views of Mount Superior!

Still a little color left in the canyon.

Small waterfall turned to ice.

After one mile on the White Pine trail you reach the junction for White Pine Lake or Red Pine Lake.  I had never been on the trail to White Pine Lake so that was my choice for today.  Even though I didn't go far I was treated to great views and I will be back!!

Turn around point and the snow was just getting good!

Crossing the bridges on the return.

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

189.6