Spring Snow!

You have to love spring in Utah!  Hiking earlier in the week and snowshoeing on the weekend.  The snow conditions in Big Cottonwood Canyon today (Saturday, March 23) were perfect for our snowshoe hike to Willow Heights Lake.  Willow Heights is a conservation area of 155 acres that will be forever protected for watershed, wildlife habitat and recreation - no development for cabins hooray!!  The trail is short, 1.5 miles round trip but steep with an elevation gain of 640 feet in the first half mile.  Mostly, the hike is a delightful walk through hundreds of aspens or quakies.  This hike can be enjoy winter, spring, summer and fall!

 Willow Heights Trail . . . . . Enjoy!

 

 This small stone engraving marks the beginning of the trail.

 

 Walking through the quakies.

Willow Heights Lake covered with snow.

 Taking a break and enjoying the sunshine.

 Even the grandson loves to snowshoe and pull funny faces.

 Found this hand print wrapped around a tree.  Wonder if it

is some kind of a memorial.  Unfortunately it

looks like the tree is about dead and I hope not

as a result of the metal.

Willow Heights Lake after the first snow of the season. 
Back in November 2012

♥All for the Love of Hiking ♥

I love hiking!  It has become my passion.  Every week all year long I plan to hike or snowshoe somewhere, anywhere - doesn't matter where and I would like to share my experiences through photos and trail data on this blog.
So let's get to it!

  SPRING

Rattlesnake Gulch Trail joining the Pipeline Trail to the Salt Lake Valley Overlook.

 This is a fairly easy trail that can be hiked year round.  It is 3.8 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 729 feet. (piece of cake).  Once you reach the Pipeline portion of the trail it is very level and a pleasant walk to the overlook.  The trail was a little muddy in spots, but not as bad as I expected.  This hiker chick isn't afraid of getting boots dirty!

 

 Great views of the Salt Lake Valley with the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island in the background. 

 When you reach the trail's end you will find the remains of pipe used to bring water from up canyon.

Already plant life is returning to the mountains.  Spring has indeed sprung!  I wish I knew the name of this plant.  I need to study up on my flora!