Mule Hollow Trail

Mule Hollow trail leads to yet another abandoned ore mine in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  This trail is found 3.2 miles up Big Cottonwood road just past Storm Mountain picnic area with parking on the north side of the road.  The trail follows a stream bed - zigzagging back and forth across the rocky, dry stream numerous times and steadily climbing up the Mule Hollow canyon drainage.  After hiking the narrow canyon for about 1.3 miles with an elevation gain of 1400 feet, the trail ends at the tailings dump from the old mine.  All that remains is an old rail track coming from the caved in mine portal and rusty artifacts from what was once a miners cabin.  The geology of Mule Hollow canyon was interesting with several large deposits of shale along the route as well as impressive views of Storm Mountain and Stairs Gulch.  It was a perfect hike for such an unseasonably warm December afternoon!  And did I mention that we also sighted Big Foot on the trail??  And took pictures!!  I have the BEST time while hiking!

A few obstacles to overcome on the trail.

Shale deposit

Tailings to climb and we have arrived at the mine site.

Rail from the old mine portal.

Not a bad view!

Big Foot Sighting!  WHAT!!

He was a very friendly Big Foot!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Mill B North Fork Trail

I can't believe I ignored Mill B North Fork Trail for so long.  It is a wonderful hiking trail (like so many in our canyons) located 4.4 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Parking for this hike is found right in the middle of the S - curve.  Climb up a few rough stairs and cross the highway to the north.  Look both ways before you cross the road kids!  This is also where Hidden Falls is located so make sure you take a look at the falls either before or after hiking Mill B North Fork Trail.  The trail starts off steep by climbing another series of stairs but soon the trail becomes more of a gradual up following a pretty stream then through a forest of tall firs.  This canyon is south facing which makes for a perfect late fall hike, especially when the sun is shining on a crisp, cool day.  After about 1 mile you will come to the first overlook on a rock outcrop about 20 feet to the right of the main trail.  Great views of Big Cottonwood Canyon.  We hiked for about 2 1/4 miles before turning around but the trail continues on and after about 3.5 miles will hook up with the Desolation trail coming from Millcreek Canyon.  I seriously can't wait to explore this trail again - with a little more daylight and at least make it to the Desolation trail junction.

Mill B North Fork trail heading in the direction of Millcreek Canyon

Lovely forest

More lovely forest!

A little bit of an obstacle on the trail.

Fuzzy caterpillar almost got stepped on.

Looking down on a very hazy Salt Lake valley.

Looking down on the S - curve and parking for Mill B North Fork trail.

Make sure to take a peak at Hidden Falls!  It is pretty awesome!!

I'll end with a favorite quote from Henry David Thoreau. "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."  Open eyes to the beauty of nature that surrounds us.

Ferguson Canyon

Ferguson Canyon is probably one of the most unique canyons we have in such close proximity to Salt Lake City and one that doesn't get a lot of attention.  It is a very steep, narrow canyon with towering rock formations on both sides - a rock climbers paradise.  The most narrow sections of Ferguson Canyon made me feel like I was hiking through a slot canyon in southern Utah.  Other times I felt like I was walking through an enchanted forest following a small stream covered with moss and beautiful ferns still very green in mid November.  Also there were delightful small waterfalls starting to icicle over.    Our destination was a ridge overlook 1 3/4 miles up the canyon, elevation gain of 1600 feet, with impressive views of the Cottonwood Heights City and down into the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon - exploring new territory here.  Did I mention this canyon is very steep in some parts, most notable on the way down, almost scary steep - use extreme caution coming down.  

Towering rock cliffs

 

Under the tree arch.

Small waterfall with icicles.

Very hairy, moss covered rock.

Trail iced over and very slick.

Ice art!

Rock formations at the ridge overlook.

Views from the top!

Looking down on Cottonwood Heights City and then a little further Big Cottonwood.

Ferguson Canyon is located just east of Wasatch Boulevard and 7800 South with the trail starting from a residential area of Cottonwood Heights City.  Follow Honeywood Cove Drive to Top-of-the-world Drive, turn left and then turn right on Timberline Drive (7780 South).  Cottonwood Heights city built a fabulous new trailhead a few years ago with parking spots and a mini amphitheater.  The trail wraps around left of the water tower and then descends into the canyon before climbing up to the ridge overlook.  This trail is very dog friendly.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

  

Please!  I would love to hear from readers of my blog.  Your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated!

******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

Beginning of this Blog

400.5

Mineral Fork Trail to Wasatch Mine

Two historic mining site hikes in two weeks, in two different canyons a few short miles from my home. What fun I have!! The Mineral Fork trail to the Wasatch Mine begins about 6 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon on the right hand side of the road and is blocked by a heavy metal gate.  The trail is actually an old mining road, an extremely rocky old road, that is now closed to vehicles with the exception of maybe ATVs and dirt bikes.  It is 3 miles to reach the Wasatch Mine with an elevation gain of 1940 feet.

The trail makes several switchbacks and crosses a stream twice.  I love the sight and sound of this waterfall flowing across the road.  After about 3/4 of a mile the trail opens up for a very nice view down canyon into the Salt Lake Valley.

Mineral Fork cirque.

The trail divides at this small sign with the marker pointing right but either direction leads to the Wasatch mine site.  It makes a nice loop!  We were walking in some fairly deep snow at this point.

Trail leading to Wasatch Mine

Beauty in ordinary weeds

Snow starts getting deeper.

We see mine tailings and know we are close to Wasatch Mine.

Close up of mine tailings with stream flowing.

Rust colored stream flows from mine entrance.

Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it, ore in commercial quantities was never found at this mine site and active work stopped in the 1940's.  This adit (a level passage from the surface into a mine) goes back some 5000 feet.  Luckily the mine entrance is block by a heavy metal gate so no one can venture deep into the mine. 

Mine entrance block by heavy gate.

Railroad ties hold tailings in place.

Aspen art that we saw along the trail in Mineral Fork Canyon.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

  

Please!  I would love to hear from readers of my blog.  Your thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated!

******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

Beginning of this Blog

397