Trail to Twin Lakes Pass

"We don't stop hiking because we grow old,
 we grow old because we stop hiking"  -Finis Mitchell

I was a bit disappointed with my snowshoe trail selection this week.   Probably because I was expecting sunshine in the mountains today and there wasn't much.  The views of Mount Superior would have been so much more spectacular with more sun.  Oh well!  C'est la vie!  The hike to Twin Lakes Pass begins at the summer access road to Albion Basin near Alta Ski Resort in Little Cottonwood canyon.   Park at the very end of the road and head up the groomed ski trail past the "road closed" sign and the many grooming cat machines.  After about a quarter mile take the cat track heading north straight up the mountain.  I didn't find it very fun to walk up the cat tracks, but the snow conditions today were less than great - too crusty!  Complain, complain, complain.  And I didn't like hiking under all the power poles!  Done complaining - I am so lucky to be able to hike each week!  We did have a lot of fun coming down through Grizzly Gulch on the return.  And lucky that avalanche danger was low in this area.  Here are pictures of my less than perfect day on the mountain.

Going Up

Mount Superior

Snow grooming cat

Up above the cabins

Strange looking snow mounds.

Power poles - ugh

Going Down

Down Grizzly Gulch - I think?

 

Wind whipped snow

Mount Superior from the Gulch.  The sun is trying to peak through.

Sunshine!!

Pines covered in cones.

So we didn't make it all the way to Twin Lakes Pass.  We hike for just over 2 miles today.  That seemed to be enough of a workout.

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
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226.6

Red Reef Trail

When avalanche danger limits mountain hiking it becomes a good time to head south to Utah's red rock country for some desert hiking.  One of my favorite late winter/early spring hikes in Utah's Dixie is the Red Reef Trail located at the Red Cliffs Recreation Area near tiny Harrisburg, Utah.  From St. George travel north on I-15 for about 15 miles taking exit 22 to Leeds, Utah.   Turn south onto Old Highway 91 and travel for about 2 miles then turn right at the signed junction for Red Cliffs Recreation area.  Continue under 2 narrow freeway tunnels then take a left turn and follow the paved road just over 1 mile into the Red Cliffs campground.  This recreation area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and a $5.00 day use fee is required.  Red Cliffs is very popular and extremely busy on weekends and holidays even in February and parking is limited.  The trail follows Quail Creek along a beautiful sequence of small waterfalls and pools.  When you arrive at the second waterfall and pool you will find a series of steps carved into the sandstone and a rope to help make your way over the pool to explore a little further up the canyon.

Upper Pool

Grandson at upper pool

If you don't mind getting very wet, you can continue hiking up Quail Creek and explore more of this beautiful canyon.

Back at the beginning of the trail you will pass this very old dead tree that looks just like the head of an elephant.

This photo taken early May

At the beginning of Red Reef trail.

First pool and small waterfall.

Great hike for the entire family!

There are 10 overnight camping sites at Red Cliffs which look lovely, and a picnic area next to the creek. Water, picnic tables, and vault toilets are also available.

Enjoy!

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
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224.5

Avalanche Danger HIGH!

Every year someone - somewhere in Utah's mountains is killed by an avalanche.  Even the most experienced and prepared backcountry skier, snowboarder, snowmobiler and snowshoer can and often do become a victim of a deadly avalanche.  It is so sad!  And so very important to heed all avalanche warnings and check the Utah Avalanche Center before heading to the mountains.  Here is the link to their website: http://utahavalanchecenter.org   If you enjoy Utah's mountains in the winter, please add this website to your favorites and check it often.  What to do when avalanche danger is high?  Play it safe at the Solitude Nordic Center!  We chose to snowshoe from the Solitude Village and the cost was a mere $5 for an all day snowshoe pass.

The Solitude Nordic Center offers 6 snowshoe trails.  (See the map below)  We began hiking the Redman Loop, then connected with the Solitude Trail which brought us to the Cabin Loop and from there we reached Silver Lake and then followed the Camp Trail back to Solitude Village.  It was a delightful 2.65 mile snowshoe hike in the fresh, deep snow and a perfect workout.  Even though you are hiking between two ski resorts, you feel completely isolated - away from crowded lift lines and noise. 

Some idea of the snow depth!  And more on the way!!

The Redman Loop passes through Redman campground.

Heavy snow falling from the trees made these snow craters.

Under an obstacle.

Staying within boundaries is good advise.

Cabin Loop through rustic cabins.  Rustic my foot - they were nice!!

Resting - not that we needed any rest!

Animal tracks - this one had some long claws.

Me having fun playing in the snow.

Finished hiking as the clock struck 4:00.

Not too bad for an afternoon of fun.

 As promised - a map of the snowshoe trails at Solitude Nordic Center.

 http://www.skisolitude.com/downloads/nordic_trail_map.pdf

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
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222.5

Donut Falls Snowshoe Hike

Conditions were fabulous for a snowshoe hike to Donut Falls yesterday afternoon (Feb. 5).  New snowfall and blue skies - couldn't ask for anything more!  Donut Falls is a Wasatch mountain classic and winter makes the hike even more fun.   It was a chilly 23 degrees, but no wind and once we started moving it did warm up pretty quick.  My favorite path to Donut Falls begins at the Spruces Campground 9.7 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  The trail begins at the far right area of the parking lot.  Begin hiking south from the parking area and make a right turn just before you reach the signs for Days Fork Trail.  This is a popular Donut Falls route and you will easily see the trail made by other hikers.  Soon you will come across this sign and know you are on the right trail. It is about 3.75 miles roundtrip to hike from Spruces campground.  Another option to hike to Donut Falls is to walk along the Cardiff Road at the Mill D trailhead, but that to me doesn't feel like a real snowshoe hike.  Walking the road takes the adventure and wilderness away.  Just my opinion.  Once you reach the base of the Falls don't stop!  Continue climbing until you find the cave.  Most of the time it is possible to climb into the cave and see the waterfall.  It feels like you are in an ice cathedral.  Very cool!!  It can be a bit of a challenge to climb up depending on the snow conditions, but it is worth the effort.  Then to get back down, it is best to just sit on your butt and slide!

Climbing UP!

 Inside the Cave

 

  More from the trail . . .

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

219.9

Dog Lake and Beyond!

I didn't get a hike in last week and I seriously missed being on a trail. Something akin to withdrawals I suppose. - confession of a hiking addict.  So today I went hiking solo, picking a very familiar trail but adding a new twist.  It was wonderful!! To be up in the mountains, out of this stinkin' inversion and to breathe clean air was just what I needed!  My destination was Dog Lake via the Mill D North Fork Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  The trail was snow packed which made for easy hiking with just a few places iced over at the beginning.  I recently purchased a new pair of YakTrax I wanted to try.  More on those later.  No snowshoes needed.  Sure do wish the mountains would get more snow!  

The sky was the most exquisite shade of blue!

I followed these bike tracks all the way up the trail and thought really??!!  And sure enough there was a mountain biker on the trail today.  Now that is an extreme outdoor sportsman!  Kudos to him!

I was truly alone today, but it was okay.  I made it to Dog Lake and kept on going.

 Dog Lake

 

 

From Dog Lake I headed east following another hikers trail climbing up a small knoll through dense quakies finding an amazing vantage point with wonderful views (by now everyone knows I love a good mountain vista).  A perfect spot for a snack and to soak up some sun!

 

Looking into Millcreek Canyon all the way to Antelope Island.

Gobblers Knob and Mount Raymond

Back country skiers know this area very well from the looks of all the ski tracks.  I also saw a lot of animal tracks, but no actual animal sightings.

 More of what I love best about hiking!

A mighty Ponderosa pine next to a mighty Douglas Fir.

 It was a great day on the trail!  I hiked 5.4 miles and saw only one other hiker and the mountain biker.

I'm kind of getting into gear these days.  I purchased these YakTrax which slip over your hiking boots designed to keep you from slipping and sliding on the snow and ice while hiking during winter months.  I would rate these a B+.  They worked great on the packed snow, but on ice I needed more traction.  And they did slip off the toe of my boot a couple of times.  They cost me $20 on Amazon.

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

216.1