"The Living Room"

Come on up and sit a spell!

The "living room" hike begins in the foothills just above Research Park near the University of Utah.  Very clever people have arranged flat slabs of sandstone into arm chairs, sofas and foot rests.  There are different arrangements every time I hike up there.  So head on up take a seat and enjoy great views of the Salt Lake Valley. 

Room with a view!

Just chillin'

Where's the big screen TV?

 Today we discovered "the kitchen"

Further up the mountain behind the living room less than a quarter mile we found this rock wall and called it the kitchen.  The wall was probably built by some crazy college kids.  It was really quite impressive.

 

Fire pit in the kitchen

Heading down the trail we found what appeared to be a science experiment.  There was something big, scary looking and dead in the bottle.

Another great view of the city.  See if you can find the state capital building.

The hike is about 2.5 miles roundtrip with an additional little bit to see the kitchen.  The elevation gain is about 1010 feet.  To find the trail head drive towards Red Butte Gardens and the new Museum of Natural History turn right on Colorow Drive and just before you reach the Huntsman Corp building you will see the trail head on the left.  The "living room" is a very popular hike!

 

Trail Head

 

 "Get outdoors!  Get into nature and make your own discoveries".  Scott, the paleontologist (PBS)

Spring Break = Road Trip

There are so many great places to explore in Utah.  Hidden treasures in our own backyard!  Here's a real gem!

Little Wild Horse Canyon

 

Little Wild Horse is a slot canyon in the San Rafael Swell of Emery County. (Place of my birth)  It is a bit challenging to get to but is well worth the effort.  From Price, Utah take US 6 eastbound to I-70 (about 60 miles), then travel west on I-70 for about 8 miles until you reach the Hanksville/SR-24 exit 147.  Take exit 147 and travel south for 24 miles.  Follow signs leading to Goblin Valley State Park.  Just before you reach the entrance to Goblin Valley you will see the sign for Little Wild Horse Canyon on your right.   Turn right and follow the road another 5.3 miles before coming to the parking lot and trail head.  The hiking trail follows a wash lined with very old cottonwood trees for about half mile before you arrive at a trail  junction.  Left begins the Bell Canyon trail and right is Little Wild Horse Canyon.  Little Wild Horse is family friendly and kids love it!  It is possible to hike Bell Canyon and Little Wild Horse as an 8 mile loop.  (Don't take the little kiddos on that one).  The best time of year to hike Little Wild Horse is spring and fall.  Summer is too hot in the desert.  Also take plenty of water and food and don't hike during a rain storm.  Flood waters can make this canyon very dangerous!  The textures in the walls of this canyon are amazing!  Love, Love, Love this desert hike!  Oh, and don't forget to visit Goblin Valley while you're in the neighborhood!  The state park entrance fee is $7.00.  Take a picnic and spend some time playing hide and seek or steal the flag among the goblins.

 So many different textures in the walls of the canyon.

Grandson Eric leads us through the slot.  Kids love this hike!

 The entire group thanks to a kind hiker!

 Entrance to one of several slots.

 Home, home on the range where the deer and the antelope play!

 Three sisters stand guard.

   Did you know that the original name was Mushroom Valley?

"Not all those who wander are lost."      JRR Tolkien

Spring Snow!

You have to love spring in Utah!  Hiking earlier in the week and snowshoeing on the weekend.  The snow conditions in Big Cottonwood Canyon today (Saturday, March 23) were perfect for our snowshoe hike to Willow Heights Lake.  Willow Heights is a conservation area of 155 acres that will be forever protected for watershed, wildlife habitat and recreation - no development for cabins hooray!!  The trail is short, 1.5 miles round trip but steep with an elevation gain of 640 feet in the first half mile.  Mostly, the hike is a delightful walk through hundreds of aspens or quakies.  This hike can be enjoy winter, spring, summer and fall!

 Willow Heights Trail . . . . . Enjoy!

 

 This small stone engraving marks the beginning of the trail.

 

 Walking through the quakies.

Willow Heights Lake covered with snow.

 Taking a break and enjoying the sunshine.

 Even the grandson loves to snowshoe and pull funny faces.

 Found this hand print wrapped around a tree.  Wonder if it

is some kind of a memorial.  Unfortunately it

looks like the tree is about dead and I hope not

as a result of the metal.

Willow Heights Lake after the first snow of the season. 
Back in November 2012

♥All for the Love of Hiking ♥

I love hiking!  It has become my passion.  Every week all year long I plan to hike or snowshoe somewhere, anywhere - doesn't matter where and I would like to share my experiences through photos and trail data on this blog.
So let's get to it!

  SPRING

Rattlesnake Gulch Trail joining the Pipeline Trail to the Salt Lake Valley Overlook.

 This is a fairly easy trail that can be hiked year round.  It is 3.8 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 729 feet. (piece of cake).  Once you reach the Pipeline portion of the trail it is very level and a pleasant walk to the overlook.  The trail was a little muddy in spots, but not as bad as I expected.  This hiker chick isn't afraid of getting boots dirty!

 

 Great views of the Salt Lake Valley with the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island in the background. 

 When you reach the trail's end you will find the remains of pipe used to bring water from up canyon.

Already plant life is returning to the mountains.  Spring has indeed sprung!  I wish I knew the name of this plant.  I need to study up on my flora!