Lakes Mary and Dog

Summer is such a busy hiking season in our beautiful Wasatch mountains.  With so many hikers on the trails I have been thinking a little about trail etiquette.  Here are my favorite trail etiquette suggestions.

1. Take only photos and leave only footprints ♥
2. Stay on the trails . . .  please protect plant life and keep the trails pristine.  Avoid taking shortcuts especially on switchbacks and also avoid bushwhacking.
3. If you pack it in, then pack it out.  I am amazed at how much litter I find on every trail I hike.
4. Say hello to other hikers you meet on the trails.  You can learn a lot from others and it is fun to share what you know and see.  
5. Downhill hikers should yield to those hiking up hill unless they stop to rest and wait for you to pass.  This one is debatable.  I personally like to yield to those coming downhill because I am usually the one needing to rest.  Bottom line is just be courteous and aware of those around you.
6. Hike quietly.  Enjoy the sounds of nature and let others do the same!  ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Lake Mary

Lake Mary is another one of the most popular hikes in Big Cottonwood canyon beginning at Brighton ski resort.  The hike is only 2 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 760 feet - very doable even for the youngsters.  Today it was the teen scene (#6 wasn't observed).  To make the hike more interesting I decided to hike all the way around the lake which added an additional half mile.  It was fun to view different perspectives of Lake Mary and it made the hike a bit more challenging.  Lake Mary is watershed and signs are posted for no swimming, but many people either can't read or just choose to ignore the signs.  It is a beautiful lake from all directions.

Lake Mary dam was built in 1916 to create a water supply reservoir.  Wish people wouldn't swim in my drinking water.

  This old cabin is just off the trail to Twin Lakes from Lake Mary.

 

Dog Lake

Just 500 feet from the main trail to Lake Mary sets little Dog Lake.  I thought I might hike around the little lake as well, but by half way around the lake it became very swampy and the mosquitoes were thick and bothersome.  But the mountain bluebells were also thick and beautiful.

 

 

"For myself I hold no preferences

among flowers so long as they are

wild, free, spontaneous!" Ed Abbey 

 Wildflower of the Week

The Colorado Columbine is hands down one of my favorite wildflowers.  The mountain variety is large and beautiful.  To me this wildflower is the essence of pure ♥ don't know why it strikes me as such but it does.

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Peaks Bagged

 1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299

******Miles hiked tally     

beginning March 22, 2013

75.5

Torrey Pines Natural Reserve

California hiking on such a summers day?  Yep!!  And I don't mean beach walking (although that is a very favorite activity of mine).  2000 coastal acres within the city limits of San Diego have been set aside to protect endangered native plants.  Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is home to a very rare and elegant pine tree "pinus torreyana" aka Torrey Pine.  There are 8 miles of trails in the park with dramatic views of gorges, badlands, picturesque trees and a beautiful stretch of beach.

Torrey Pine

    Razor Point Trail

Razor Point trail is a l.4 mile loop with little to no elevation gain.  The scenery was gorgeous and very unique.

  Badlands along the Pacific coast.

               The striated sandstone cliffs referred to as the badlands.
 

Looking into a gorge at the Torrey Pine.

View from Razor Point

The stairs from Beach Trail to Flat Rock.

A lot of activity on the beach to Flat Rock.

Flat Rock

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

"For myself I hold no preferences

among flowers so long as they are

wild, free, spontaneous!" Ed Abbey 

 Wildflower of the Week

There were not many wildflowers left in late June, but I did see this Yellow Mariposa Lily scattered along the trail.  I need to visit this area in February or March.

Peaks Bagged

 1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299

******Miles hiked tally     

beginning March 22, 2013

72.7