Deer Valley Resort (Hiking?)

Hiking trails at Deer Valley Resort???  Oh me of little faith ---- but lo and behold I found one.  And I could almost believe I was deep in the woods . . . .  except for the sound of construction going on all around me.  That and being surrounded by the million dollar homes of the rich and famous.  Deer Valley Resort does have official hiking trails available during summer operations from mid June through the first of September which require a chairlift ride to the top of the mountain.  Since I missed the summer season by a few weeks I had to wing it, but here is a sampling of my little hike today covering about 2.5 miles.

Some nice views!

The St. Regis Deer Valley.  Too bad I wasn't staying there!

Sneaking a peak at this home on the ski resort.

Same home with gorgeous carved totem.

Success!  Seems to be the status quo at Deer Valley.

Leaves changing color.

Started my hike just to the right of this lift.

A few wildflowers hanging in there.

Tis the season of Sunflowers!

Deer Valley from afar.

My overall assessment:  With so many great hiking trails in the Wasatch mountains, I would leave Deer Valley to the skiers.  However, if you happen to be in the neighborhood and are a crazy hiker person like me, you can find trails to explore and Deer Valley resort is interesting.  Maybe I'll give it another try next summer when the chairlift to the official hiking trails is operating.

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Peaks Bagged  2013

1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299 

2.  Reynolds Peak ♦♦ 9422

3.  South Guardsman Pass Peak ♦♦ 10,420

4.  Mount Baldy ♦♦ 11,068

5.  Mount Evergreen ♦♦ 9,840

6.  Mount Tuscarora ♦♦ 10,660

7. Mount Wolverine ♦♦ 10,795

8. Sugarloaf Peak ♦♦ 11,051

******Miles hiked tally     

beginning March 22, 2013

142.7

Lambs Canyon

I ventured off the regular canyons for hiking today and headed up Parleys Canyon (I-80) to Lambs Canyon, exit 137.  The Lambs Canyon trail takes you to the Millcreek Ridge/Lambs Canyon Pass and connects to the Elbow Fork trail coming up from Millcreek Canyon.  Both Lambs Canyon trail and Elbow Fork trail are part of the Great Western Trail system.  In case you didn't know the Great Western Trail runs from Canada to Mexico through five western states with Utah smack in the middle traversing a walloping 4,455 miles.  Cool right!!  The Lambs Canyon trailhead is found 1.6 miles from the freeway off ramp along a narrow, winding road.  There are restrooms and a small parking area directly across the road from the trailhead.
After crossing the stream, the trail climbs through fir, aspen and lush foliage for 2 miles before you reach the saddle which is the Millcreek Ridge or Lambs Canyon Pass at 8,133 feet.  The elevation gain is 1510, but thanks to several switchbacks it didn't seem overly steep.  The trail from Lambs Canyon is the only Forest Service hiking trail on the Parleys Canyon side of the ridge.  From the Millcreek Ridge you have great views of Granduer Peak and the Salt Lake Valley to the west and Gobblers Knob and Mount Raymond to the south.  Overall a very nice trail that I can highly recommend!

Grandeur Peak on the right.

Gobblers Knob and Mount Raymond

  Again mushrooms were plentiful and unique!

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Peaks Bagged  2013

1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299 

2.  Reynolds Peak ♦♦ 9422

3.  South Guardsman Pass Peak ♦♦ 10,420

4.  Mount Baldy ♦♦ 11,068

5.  Mount Evergreen ♦♦ 9,840

6.  Mount Tuscarora ♦♦ 10,660

7. Mount Wolverine ♦♦ 10,795

8. Sugarloaf Peak ♦♦ 11,051

******Miles hiked tally     

beginning March 22, 2013

140.2