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
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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

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
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282.1

Bell Canyon Waterfall

Tis the season for hiking to waterfalls. With the snow melting and the water flowing, spring is the perfect time to check out the local waterfalls.  Bell Canyon waterfall is a beauty! 

The Granite trailhead for this hike is located on 3470 East Little Cottonwood Road in Sandy.  It is just a half mile hike to the lower Bells Canyon Reservoir which is a really nice hiking destination in and of itself.  Bring your fishing rods to the reservoir - it is catch and release.   But today it was all about waterfalls.

Once you reach the reservoir you will see a utility road on the left.  Follow this road for about 100 yards and you will find a small sign pointing the way to Bells Canyon.  From here you walk through a lovely meadow with nice views of the mountains ahead.  In less than a mile you will come to a sturdy foot bridge crossing a pretty stream.  From here the trail gets quite a bit steeper and is scattered with good sized granite rocks.  You will definitely get a stairmaster workout the rest of the way to the falls.  The tricky part is knowing where to turn off the main trail to find the falls.  The waterfall is found several yards to the left of the main trail.  You will come to a giant pine and well marked up aspens at the turn off plus you will ear the roaring sound of the falls.

The hike to the waterfall is almost exactly 5 miles with an elevation gain of 1310 feet.

Enjoy a snack

Bells Towers

Nice view of the valley from the falls

I have been experiencing a little knee pain recently after hiking.  I know, I know something like this was bound to happen to me sooner or later.  I was just hoping for much, much later.  So I googled "help for knee pain while hiking" and here are some really helpful suggestions.

1. Take shorter steps going downhill and make your own mini switchbacks when possible.
2. Use trekking poles to reduce impact on the knees.
3. Slow down! Taking your time going downhill is safer and less damaging to the knees. (I like this one)
4. Use "Superfeet" insoles for hiking boots.  (I want to try this product)
5. Walk backwards at times. (I do this occasionally) 
6. Wear a knee brace.  I did use a knee brace this week and it really did help!
7. Glucosamine and chondroitin are supplements for joints.

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 Wildflower of the Week

This wildflower covered the meadows and open areas on our hike in Bell Canyon this week.  It is called Desert Groundsel and is a member of the sunflower family.  Even though it has desert as part of its name this wildflower can be found from high desert valleys to the alpine tundra.

Taking pictures of butterflys on the wildflowers.

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

274.4

Adams Canyon

Adams Canyon is a Davis County hiking treasure which follows an abundant stream for much of the hike and ends with a stunning 40 foot waterfall.  Be prepared to get your feet wet on this hike because you must cross the stream to even get to see the plunging waterfall.  Good news is the stream is wide and not deep.  Some type of water shoe is advisable so you don't have to hike back in wet shoes. You will not want to miss seeing this waterfall!!

Adams Canyon is a very popular hiking trail and yet very poorly marked.  Somebody must be trying to keep this place a secret.  The trailhead is located just off highway 89 and east of Oak Hills Drive in Layton, Utah.  There isn't a right turn off 89 onto Oak Hills Drive to reach the trailhead so you will need to drive about a quarter mile beyond the sign for Oak Hills Drive and take a small frontage road to backtrack towards the trail parking area.  Nothing really there to let you know you are in the right place.  How rude!!

 

The trail begins by climbing a series of very sandy switchbacks.  Please stay on the trail . . .  there is evidence of erosion problems.  This portion of the trail could be very hot on a summer afternoon.  The trail also meets up with the Bonneville Shoreline trail before heading into Adams Canyon (a favorite of mountain bikers).  At this point you begin to follow Holmes Creek for the rest of the way to the waterfall.  Total round trip distance for this hike is 3.8 miles. 

After about 1.5 miles you will cross a footbridge and the trail becomes a little steeper.  The next obstacle is a giant slab of rock that blocks the trail and you must climb up and around this giant to connect back with the trail.  No big deal.

Adams Canyon is dog friendly, but please be courteous to other hikers and keep dogs on leash and take out the poop.   Here is an enthusiastic canine hiker.

There were several other good sized waterfalls on the trail to keep you entertained.

But of course, the main event is the 40 foot waterfall at the end of the trail!

Enjoy!!

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 Wildflower of the Week

This wildflower is a Utah Milkvetch also known as Locoweeds.  Too pretty to be called Locoweeds.  Look closely at the flower petals, they remind me of butterfly wings. You can't miss these bright colored flowers, they are everywhere on the foothills and benches this time of year.  Milkvetch are part of the pea family.

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

269.4