Days Fork Trail to the Eclipse Mine

When summer temperatures hit 90 degrees and above I can't get myself to the cooler mountains fast enough.  Nothing quite as refreshing as a morning mountain trail. (Popsicles?? Not even a close second!)  My destination this week is the remains of the old Eclipse mine site in Big Cottonwood Canyon from the Days Fork trail.  Days Fork canyon trail is located within Spruces campground about 10 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  There is a day use fee of $8 for hikers to park inside the campground area.  It is also possible to park along Big Cottonwood Canyon road and walk a very short distance to begin the trail.*  To find the trailhead walk directly south of the large day use parking area, pass by a ciderblock restroom and find the trail just beyond a locked gate intended to keep vehicles from entering the trail.

The trail becomes steep right from the get go as you climb a large staircase of water bars.  Not to worry, soon the trail levels out and you will enjoy a more gradual up as lush grasses, cheerful dandelions and large patches of mountain bluebells hug the trail.   You will pass through several small meadows along the trail which look to be perfect moose habitat.  And sure enough we were lucky to catch a glimpse of two females foraging in the abundant vegetation.  The trail becomes steep and rocky and we begin to see evidence of mining activity on the mountainside.  As we climb higher in elevation, patches of snow linger on the trail.  Beautiful alpine buttercups carpet the ground near the run off from the melting snow banks.  Among the many beautiful wildflowers we found several from the buttercup family including Cutleaf Anemone** and Rocky Mountain Clematis.  I also noticed at least three different types of violets along the trail at different elevations.

We found a very old ski lying near the trail.  Days Fork canyon is serious avalanche terrain in winter and I sincerely hope this skier wasn't a victim.

After hiking just over 3 miles and climbing 2400 feet we arrive at the Eclipse Mine.  The original mine claim covered just under 18 acres and was dated December 1877. (Info from Treasure House Relics website)  All that remains is a large compressor, an old hoist near the collapsed shaft, three very large boiler tanks sliding down into the shaft depression and odds and ends of metal.  It is quite impressive that someone hauled all this equipment deep into the canyon.

We climbed a little beyond the mine site for a look into this beautiful alpine cirque with it's steep head wall.  Supposedly, Mount Superior, Twin Lakes Pass and the Alta parking lot in Little Cottonwood Canyon are all visible just a mile from the upper end of Days Fork canyon.  We could not see an easy route up to the ridge line, but we were treated to viewing a handsome three point buck so the extra climb was not in vain.

Looking down canyon above the Eclipse Mine.

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*I parked along side the road for this hike and I did a mighty fine job parallel parking even if I do say so myself.  Mine is the dark red Volvo.

 **These very pretty Anemones produce a toxic chemical called protoanemonin which can cause rashes, nausea or worse if touched or ingested.  Another reason to never pick the pretty wildflowers - only take pictures.

North Canyon / Mueller Park

NEW TRAIL!!   I'm branching out a bit from my usual Salt Lake County mountain trails to hike in Davis County.  The wonderful thing about living anywhere along the Wasatch front is the close proximity we have to mountain trails. In minutes we can escape the crazy city and find peace on a mountain trail (well maybe not so much peace and quiet on busy summer weekends).  The North Canyon / Mueller Park trail near the city of Bountiful can be divided easily into three fairly equal sections for a total distance of 10.6 miles.  We begin by leaving a shuttle car at the Mueller Park trailhead and driving a second car to the entrance of North Canyon. (driving directions found at the end of the blog)

Part I  North Canyon to Rudy's Flat - 3.5 miles 

The North Canyon trail begins by hiking up a rough, rocky 4 X 4 road for 1.2 miles before reaching the true trailhead.  This area is private property and the least pleasant section of the hike, but there were still plenty of trees, wildflowers, wildlife (deer) and a small babbling stream to enjoy. This section is also the steepest part of the hike with an elevation gain of about 1580 feet to the City Creek Canyon overlook.  

I almost got a good picture of the deer.

Some deep puddles.

End of road, beginning of trail.

Time for a new trail sign.

Looking down canyon towards the Great Salt Lake.

Zoomed in on the Bountiful LDS temple.

Rudy's Flat is a large open area which looked like a decent place to set up camp. We met a cute family coming down trail that had spent the night camping at Rudy's Flat.  A short side trail brings you to a nice view into City Creek Canyon and the Salt Lake Valley.  Supposedly there is a trail from City Creek Canyon up to Rudy's Flat which I'll have to check out some day.

View of City Creek Canyon

Part II  Rudy's Flat to Elephant Rock - 3.5 Miles

Rudy's Flat to Elephant Rock is a delightful walk through serene forest and lush vegetation.  The entire mountain is rimmed with blossoming serviceberry, choke cherry and wild raspberry bushes. The Gamble oak and Big-tooth maple trees are now completely leaved out at this elevation. The steep part of the trail is over, now just enjoy a gradual downhill.  This was my favorite part of the trail even though it began to rain and rain hard!  But we knew the rain was coming and were prepared with adequate rain gear.

Rain causing mini (and many) rivers on trail.

Tiny lavender violets

OH Sweetpea!

Someone forgot their shoes??

Looking down on the top of Elephant Rock.

Part III  Elephant Rock down Mueller Park - 3.6 Miles

This section of trail is very popular with Bountiful city families.  It is a well loved and well used trail especially on weekends. The gentle sloping hills on this portion of the trail was covered with wild roses, balsamroots, mulesears, and wild onions.  We also got a very good look at a colorful Black-headed Grosbeak.  There are a couple of nice resting benches overlooking Elephant Rock that would make a wonderful vantage point for a spectacular Utah sunset.  I found a little history of Mueller Park canyon.  In 1927 a successful baker from Germany named George Mueller donated 1000 acres of his land to Salt Lake City for recreational use, hence the name Mueller Park.  I must add that the entire loop trail I have described is also a very popular mountain bike trail - so beware and be prepared to share the trail!

Looking up at Elephant Rock you can make out the shape of an elephants head.

A natural gas pipeline has been added to the hillside.

You begin to see the beautiful homes in Mueller Park neighborhood.

Your guess is as good as mine??

Directions:

Take the 2600 South Bountiful exit from I-15 and head east toward the mountains.  This road will curve northward, continue on and turn right onto 1800 South.  Follow 1800 South right into Mueller Park to leave a shuttle car near the large footbridge just before entering the camping area.  To find North Canyon from Mueller Park turn left (south) on Bountiful Blvd and continue about 1.7 miles, turn left on Canyon Creek road and drive uphill to the end of the pavement where the road dead ends and the rough, rocky 4 X 4 road begins.  Leave your second car here and begin the hike.

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Frary Peak on Antelope Island

Blog post 100!  What a great hike to write about on this blogging milestone - Frary Peak! on Antelope Island.  I have wanted to do this hike for some time and finally had the opportunity.  OHHH and it was a good one!!  If you are looking for a hike with spectacular views, plenty of wildlife to see and is challenging Frary Peak fits the bill perfectly.  The trailhead to Frary Peak is easy to find.  After crossing the causeway (water levels are extremely low this year) follow the road left to Garr Ranch Road on the east side of the island. Good wildlife viewing all along this road.  After about 5 miles you will find signs for Frary Peak trailhead to the right.  Another 1/2 mile on a steep paved road gets to the trailhead parking.  My best advise for hiking Frary Peak is to get an early start and also plan this hike for early spring or late fall.  Summer can be too hot and very buggy.

 

Frary Peak is about 6.6 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of about 2070 feet.  The first mile and the last half mile to the top are the steepest, but the majority of the hike is a nice gradual climb along a very scenic ridge overlooking the west side of the Great Salt Lake.  The wildlife on our hike this morning was exceptional; from the meadow larks singing to us all morning to spotting a lone coyote.  We saw rabbits, bison, deer, antelope, a coyote, chukars, lizards, butterflys, a hawk.  We also saw a few wildflowers blooming.  Most notably a very pretty pink shade of Indian Paintbrush.

 Wildlife

12 head of deer climbing up the hillside.

This is looking at Frary Peak.  The trail continues to the right following the cairns downward for a little bit and wrapping around the west side of the peak before making a very steep assent climbing up some makeshift steps before reaching the top.  This portion of the trail is challenging and not for the faint of heart.  But the payoff is so worth the effort and fear.

Geological marker at top of Frary Peak

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There is a day use fee of $10 per vehicle or $5 for Utah seniors.  Also Antelope Island State Park has a very nice Visitor Center open year-round so make sure to stop by for a visit (plus this may be your only chance for restrooms).