Desolation Trail to the Salt Lake Overlook

The Desolation trail to the Salt Lake overlook is one of those great trails in Millcreek Canyon that can be repeated over and over and still be enjoyed each time.  The trailhead begins just east of the Millcreek Inn at the South Box Elder picnic area approximately 3 miles up Millcreek Canyon.  The hiking distance to the overlook rock is about 4.8 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1250 feet.  The climb is gradual thanks to a series of easy switchbacks.  But best of all the hike is a lovely walk through a pine fragrant forest of fir and spruce.  The views are also pretty impressive.

 

I love this mossy area at the beginning of the trail which reminds me of a fairyland or the home of hobbits or leprechauns.  One mossy rock looked to have at least three different kinds of moss growing on the same rock.

Speaking of fairy tales, a wrong turn on one of the switchbacks will bring you to this "fairy shrine".

After a brief stop at the overlook for pictures and a snack, my friend and I decided to explore a little further and continue following the trail towards upper Thayne Canyon.  We hiked for another half mile before the snow became more frequent and we decided we were finished for the afternoon.

This overturned tree root looked like some kind of scary animal from the before mentioned fairy tale.  We got spooked (because of the snow not the tree) and turned around at this point.  Plus my legs were getting tired.

 

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 Wildflower of the Week

  

This is a Glacier Lily, one of my all time favorite early spring wildflowers.  They are everywhere this time of year in the lower canyon areas.  Even though these lilies are found in abundance take the time to appreciate their delicate beauty.

For myself I hold no preferences among flowers

so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous!"

Ed Abbey

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
Beginning of this Blog

257.7

Mount Van Cott

Mount Van Cott is a small mountain (more of a knoll really) just east of the University of Utah which has the nickname of the "Butt Burner".   Mount Van Cott was named after Lucy May Van Cott who was the first dean of women at the University of Utah from 1907 to 1931.  I wonder if she was also a hiker?   There are many paths leading to the summit of Mount Van Cott.  I picked a trail heading north from Red Butte Canyon and just started climbing up.  For me, this Easter Sunday morning hike was just about immersing myself in nature to find a little peace.  And it worked by the way!  Here is some of what I saw along the way.

Don't know what these flowers are.

Magpie

Monarch Butterfly

Ladybug

Field of Springbeauties

University of Utah campus.

Kickin' down the mountain trail!

Sometimes when I'm hiking alone I create lyrics about hiking to popular songs (I'm weird, I know!), but here is a sample. . . . . . 

Slow down you move too fast, you want to make the hiking last.

Just kickin' down the mountain trail,

Looking at nature and feeling groovy!

Life, I love you!  All is groovy!!

Looking up at Mount Van Cott elevation 6348 feet.

The highlight of my hike was finding this handsome fella!  It is a horned lizard.  And he is really good at camouflage!

Horned Lizard

One of my favorite John Muir quotes was right on today "Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees".  I felt so much more peaceful at the end of hiking than I did at the beginning.

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 Wildflower of the Week

This wildflower is called a Tufted Evening Primrose.  It will open in the morning to become a beautiful, large, white flower but then closes and turns pink in the evening.  You will find the Tufted Evening Primrose on open sunny slopes during April, May and June.

For myself I hold no preferences among flowers

so long as they are wild, free, spontaneous!"

Ed Abbey

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
Beginning of this Blog

251.9