Lambs Canyon Trail

Although Lambs Canyon is some what removed from the major canyons in our area, it has a very nice trail to hike and is really only minutes from Salt Lake City.   Take I-80 East through Parleys Canyon and exit at Lambs Canyon #137.  The trailhead is found about 1.6 miles from the freeway off ramp along a narrow, winding road.  There is a restroom and a very small parking area (enough space for 4 or 5 cars) directly across the road from the trailhead. The trail climbs through fir, aspen and lush foliage following a small stream which hides from view in spots (heard but not seen) - very lovely.   After about 2.2 miles you will reach the saddle which is the Millcreek Ridge or Lambs Canyon Pass at 8,150 feet.  The elevation gain on this hike is 1560 feet, steep but not too steep.  The trail from Lambs Canyon is the only Forest Service hiking trail on the Parleys Canyon side of the ridge and they have recently done some trail maintenance which was nice to see. 

Small stream - watch out for snakes.

The Lambs Canyon trail at the saddle connects with 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.  Today we ventured above and beyond Lambs Canyon pass to a radio tower that sits on the peak just east of the main trail.  There is a small trail just past the old Lambs Canyon sign heading left from the junction - look closely or you may miss it.

Sign at the pass.

   
It was only an additional 1.4 miles roundtrip and an additional 710 feet of elevation to visit the radio tower, but I didn't love the trail.  It felt a little like bushwhacking and our legs got pretty scratched.  Okay, I'll admit it was interesting and the views were awesome.  Best trail description however is told through pictures.  Here are some of my best.

Nice view of Grandeur Peak on the right.

Looking towards the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island.

First glimpse of the radio tower on the peak.

Close up of the radio tower.

Delivered by helicopter.

From the radio tower peak looking at Gobblers Knob.

Another mountain peak?

Heading back down the trail from radio tower.

The blue clematis were everywhere!

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 Wildflower of the Week

This mountain plant is called a Baneberry.  Not sure it qualifies as a wildflower, but the white plumes were striking and so are the bright red berries the plant produces in the fall.  Come to find out this plant is extremely toxic.  All parts are poisonous! especially the roots and berries.  The Baneberry bushes were thick on the Lambs Canyon trail.  

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
287.9

Lake Blanche and Beyond

The hike to Lake Blanche is a pretty strenuous one in my book, but the unique scenic beauty of this area make the trip more than worth the effort.  No wonder it is so popular and probably the most hiked trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  This time up we explored the sister lakes of Florence and Lillian.  Again . . .  absolutely beautiful!   These lakes sit in a high alpine basin created by a huge glacier about a million years ago - a geological treasure!  The rocks that surround the lakes are beautifully etched with long marks and smooth grooves as evidence of this glacier activity.  And then there is Sundial Peak at the center of this masterpiece!  With water cascading from its heights into Lake Blanche!  It is the scene from an epic tale.  A little dramatic I know, but tell me that's not pretty impressive!

In the early 1900's dams were built at each lake to create and maintain an abundant supply of water for the dry Salt Lake valley.  These dams have long since crumpled and burst with just the walls remaining and now the water flows from Lake Blanche into Lake Florence, from Lake Florence into Lake Lillian and from Lake Lillian down the canyon until it meets up with Big Cottonwood creek.  Today that water was raging!  

I took a lot of pictures!  Here are some of the best.

 Sundial Peak

So many really cool rocks.  A geologists paradise!

Plantain Buttercups everywhere.

More of Lake Blanche from the west end showing what remains of the 1930's dam with Dromedary Peak in the background and a really nice shot of the reflection of Sundial Peak on the lake.

Now on to Lake Florence.  There is a really beautiful waterfall pouring into Lake Florence from Lake Blanche.  Sundial Peak looks a lot different from this angle.

Last but not least is Lake Lillian.  Another picture of the water flowing from Lake Florence into Lake Lillian, the 1930s dam and also of Sundial Peak from Lake Lillian perspective.

Looking back down canyon from Lake Blanche

We hiked today (May 29, 2014) for 7.7 miles with an elevation gain of around 2700 feet.  I think the key to enjoying this hike is to give yourself plenty of time.  Take many breaks going up AND coming down.  And of course spend time at each lake!  Make an entire day of it if you can.
 

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 Wildflower of the Week

This interesting wildflower is called a Clematis.  It reminds you of a lavender colored paper lantern.  It is a vine plant that climbs into the surround shrubs.  When a Clematis turns to seed it forms long plumes that look like a white stringy "hippy-head".

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

282.1