Bowman Fork Trail

Happy New Year!  2013 will be forever etched in my memory as a fantastic hiking year . . . . feeling so blessed!   I will reflect a little more about 2013 later in this blog entry.   Today (January 3) my sister and I hiked a portion of the Bowman Fork trail in Millcreek Canyon - no snowshoes required, but we did wear cleats that slip on over our snow boots to keep from slipping and sliding on the snow packed trail.  Bowman Fork trail begins at the Terrace picnic area about 4 miles up Millcreek Canyon from the fee station.  Plenty of parking on both sides of Millcreek Canyon road.  You must first walk a quarter of a mile up from the gated road to actually reach the Terrace picnic area.  From the very far end of the picnic area you will find signs for both the Elbow Fork Trail to the left and Bowman Fork Trail to the right.  Bowman Fork is a gradual climb following a small stream through tall evergreens.  It is a delightful trail.  We hiked just over 1.6 miles before heading back down.  Didn't quite make it to White Fir Pass - maybe next time.

Sights along the way.

Looking back at 2013

Starting a new year always makes me take a look back.  I had the best hiking year! - once a week, all year long.  I did learn a couple of things about hiking this year. 1) Regardless of the weather I can get outdoors and enjoy nature! (with the exception of lightning storms) and 2) I always see something interesting and picture worthy!  So here are a few of my favorites from 2013.

Best Snowshoe Hike - April 2013

Guardsman Pass

Most Visually Stunning Hike - June 2013

Lake Blanche

Best Lake Hike - July 2013

Lake Lackawaxen

Best Wildflower Shot - May 2013

Mount Olympus

 Best Animal Shot - July 2013

Mount Tuscarora

Lion King Wanta' be

Best Fall Colors Hike - October 2013

Mount Aire

                   Favorite Nature Quote

 Thanks so much for reading my blog!

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

203.7

 

Ridge East of Brighton Ski Resort

Our snowshoe hike this week was the ridge directly east of Brighton Ski Resort.  I don't know the name of this area, if it even has a name? Very  sorry!  To get to our hiking destination take the road to Guardsman Pass until you can go no further.  The majority of the Guardsman Pass road is closed and used for snowmobiles during the winter.  Make sure to park down the north side of the road away from the turnaround. (Snowmobile trailers need to use the turnaround.)  Walk past the gate that closes the road and under a very large power pole, keeping to your right and continue up the distinct trail.  Soon you will be looking down onto Brighton Ski resort's parking area and in full view of the majestic mountains.  This trail is a steep one and one I would probably avoid this area when avalanche danger is high.  We hiked for about a mile, pretty much straight up and was treated to some great mountain vistas and gnarled old trees.  It was a warm 43 degrees at the start of our hike!  Crazy!!  But no sunshine, boo hoo.  However, not a hike goes by that doesn't leave me feeling blessed for having done it.  Something about nature gets in your blood ♥

Mountain Vistas 

Gnarled Old Trees

 

Lightning struck this poor old tree.

 

Rabbit tracks??

Some kind of party going on in these mountains!

 (Expected to see some intoxicated, naked people)

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

200.2

Days Fork Trail

The Days Fork trail begins at the Spruces campground about 10 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Days Fork is a long side canyon heading directly south from the Spruces parking area and is a well established snowshoe and cross country ski trail.  This was my first time exploring Days Fork and I found yet another great hiking / snowshoeing trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon!  I have mentioned an awesome website on my blog before as an excellent guide for snowshoe trails.  A perfect description for the Days Fork trail #27 can be found at  http://www.snowshoeutah.com/  (Look in the Table of Contents for trail info).  

 

 In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous!  -Aristotle




Today it was finding and photographing ice crystals!

What powerful force of nature could have toppled this giant tree? 

We hike for about 1 3/4 mile to an open meadow before turning around and heading back down canyon. 

View from the meadow

 

Oh and by the way, it was warmer at Spruces campground at 29 degrees than at my house in Cottonwood Heights at 23 degrees.  Just sayin'!!

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

198.1

Rattlesnake Gulch Trail

What is more gorgeous than sun and freshly fallen snow? In December? In Utah?  You gotta love it if you live here, right!!  My weekend workout was a snowshoe hike on the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail to the Salt Lake City overlook.  This trail begins just passed the fee station in Millcreek Canyon.  The first mile of this snowshoe hike is a great cardio workout.  The next 3/4 mile is a leisurely stroll around the mountainside to an awesome view of the entire Salt Lake Valley. 

This was my first view of the valley with the snow covered Oquirrh Mountains in the background.  You must go around two more corners to get a view of downtown Salt Lake City and the Great Salt Lake.  Don't give up and turn around here - keep going!

 

A piece of the trail looking back at Millcreek Canyon

 Looking down on my car!

Looking up at the blue sky!

 

Two thumbs up for the Rattlesnake Gulch Trail!!

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

194.6