Cardiff Fork Trail/Road

Big Cottonwood Canyon never ceases to amaze me.  There is so much beauty - yes, so much to explore - yes, and interesting history as well.  The Cardiff Fork trail is actually an old road dating back to the early 1900's that leads to an old mine site. If you do not like hiking on loose rock, this isn't the trail for you.

The Cardiff Mine was a booming operation from about 1910 until the 1950's and now all that remains are the tailings from the old mines and a huge ore bin.  The road to Cardiff Mine was closed in 1992 to motorized vehicles unless you are a private land owner.  I thought it made for an interesting hike.  The hike to the mine site begins at the Donut Falls parking area and follows the old road for 2 1/2 miles with and elevation gain of 1340 feet.

Mine Tailings

Only remaining structure is this huge ore bin.

Apparently the road continues over Cardiff Pass at the head of the canyon and will eventually drop you down into Alta.  That would be a little too much of a hike for me.

There is still a lot of private property in the area so you must stay on the road and honor posted signs.  The scenery in this canyon was really quite beautiful.

It rained on us for a good portion of the hike, but the rain was totally refreshing so I didn't mind it one bit!

Also found some interesting looking mushrooms on this hike!

Mushrooms anyone???

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"For myself I hold no preferences

among flowers so long as they are

wild, free, spontaneous!" Ed Abbey 

 Wildflower of the Week

This cheerful wildflower is called Rose Heath.  The buds start out bright pink and then turn into a white daisy like flower.  It tends to grow in patches throughout the drier mountain sides.  I just happened to catch a couple of butterflies napping.

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Peaks Bagged

1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299 

2.  Reynolds Peak ♦♦ 9422

3.  South Guardsman Pass Peak ♦♦ 10,420

******Miles hiked tally     

beginning March 22, 2013

89.5