Mount Wire a.k.a Big Beacon

Spring is a great time to hike in the foothills above Salt Lake City.  Most of the snow is gone by this time of year on the low elevation peaks such as Mount Wire (elevation 7143 feet).  This is an excellent hike to begin conditioning for those higher peaks to climb in the summer.  Mount Wire has been described as a brown mound; but what this trail lacks in vegetation it more than makes up for in awesome views.  From the summit of Mt. Wire you look down into Emigration Canyon on one side and Red Butte Canyon on the other.  And the entire Salt Lake Valley to the point of the mountain is visible as well as Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake.  I did mention that the views on this little mound were spectacular!
The trailhead is found above Research Park near the University of Utah.  Drive towards Red Butte Gardens and the new Museum of Natural History turning right on Colorow Drive and park alongside the road just before you reach the Huntsman Corp. building.  The trail begins on the left and will cross the Bonneville Shoreline trail before continuing to the right of Georges Hollow.  The popular "Living Room" hike is on the same trail.  You will reach a junction just shy of the one mile mark and the trail to Mt. Wire continues straight while the living room hike curves to the left.  The goal is to reach the old airway beacon which sets directly on the summit of Mount Wire.  There used to be two microwave radio reflectors also on the top of Mount Wire but they were removed last November.  The hike is 4.5 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 2140 feet.

Not quite there yet - false summit.

American Fork Twin Peaks in the far distance.

Old airway beacon - now we know we have almost made it!

Geodetic Marker

Adding a few feet of elevation

Mountain snail graveyard

First peak bagged of the year - Mount Wire!

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 Wildflower of the Week

This delicate little wildflower is a Wasatch Bluebell.  They are found scattered in the foothills this time of year and usher in the beginning of wildflower season.  Look close to the ground under the oaks or you may miss them.

"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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248.8

Searching for Cecret Lake

I know exactly how to find Cecret Lake in the summer!  Add 116 inches of snow depth and my favorite little lake gets swallowed up by Alta Ski Resort.  Cecret Lake sets at the base of Devil's Castle and Sugarloaf Peak - I know the landmarks well but getting to the lake yesterday proved to be a bit of a problem.

The plan was to follow the machine groomed cat tracks which we believed would lead straight to Cecret Lake, but there were too many cat tracks to choose from. And they all appeared to go towards our destination plus we needed to steer clear of the ski runs as much as possible.  We were wearing microspikes and yaktraks and carried missile sleds on our backpacks for a quick descent. (These sleds were so much fun!)  We probably could have used snowshoes on this hike.  Even though we didn't make it to Cecret Lake it was a beautiful day for hiking in the mountains and I got to explore Alta Ski Resort.  Our hike totaled 4.8 miles.

Heading towards Devil's Castle

Should have just followed the ski lift!  I'll hike this again with snowshoes.

Devil's Castle but no Cecret Lake.

Missile sleds away!  Last one to the bottom is a rotten egg! - Just having fun like a couple of kids!
 
These missile sleds were lightweight and with a couple of bungie cords attached to the backpack very easily.

 

I love the majestic views of Little Cottonwood Canyon

I found a wonderful hiking group to join called "Hike the Wasatch".  The group organizer plans weekly hikes all over the beautiful Wasatch mountains and beyond!  For a long time I resisted joining hiking groups because I mistakenly thought a group of people would ruin my hiking experience - not this group!  Here are a few of the benefits I discovered from hiking with this group.

1. Learn new hiking techniques from experienced hikers.
2. Learn about new hiking gear.
3. Learn about new trails.
4. Be inspired by what other hikers have accomplished.
5. Share your passion for the outdoors with others.

 

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
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251.2

Willow Heights Lake Again

I revisited Willow Heights Lake this week for another snowshoe hike. (The last time was in late November.)  We were the first ones on the trail today after Sunday's storm.  Snowshoeing through new snowfall is the best!  Yes, it is more challenging to break new trail, but what a great workout!  Even though I repeat the hike to Willow Heights Lake over and over, each time brings a new experience.  That is what I love about hiking, I never get bored.  There is always something new about the same old trail.  As I have mentioned previously Willow Heights Lake is a short, but steep trail.  We usually circle the lake to add a little more distance to our hike and still only hiked for 2.1 miles.  Love, love, love hiking through the thick quakies on this trail!

Back to the beginning of our hike . . . . .

Breaking new trail.

Today we found a dream catcher in a tree.  

A dream catcher is used so that only good dreams will be remembered.  The bad dreams will become hopelessly entangled in the web.  Native American folklore.

Back to the quakies . . . . .

Heading around the lake.

The trees have eyes and are watching you!

Willow Lake buried under a lot of snow!

The trail for Willow Heights Lake is found just past Silver Fork Lodge in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  Look for and park along the side of the road near this speed/curving road sign.

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
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246.4

Emigration Canyon Miners Trail

I'm pleased to report another very successful new hiking trail experience -  Emigration Canyon Miners Trail!  This was my first time hiking in Emigration Canyon and I will definitely return.  To find the trailhead follow Emigration Canyon Road past Ruth's Diner (a great eatery!) until you come to the sign for Pinecrest Canyon Road (Emigration Canyon road makes a big hairpin turn at this point) about 7 miles up the canyon.  Turn left onto Pinecrest Canyon Road and drive another 1.7 miles until you reach the small parking area on the left side of the road marked by a large sign reading  Archery Hunting Only.  There is only enough space for 4 maybe 5 cars to park and the trail begins to the left of the sign passing through an old metal gate.  The trail then wraps around a couple of small hillsides before gradually climbing into Brigham Fork canyon.  This is the view looking toward Parleys Canyon.

We came upon a very pretty little waterfall made by spring snow melt and also a small field of plantain buttercups.   First wildflowers of spring!

 Have a listen to the sound of the water falling through the rocks.

 

Found a cute little fuzzy caterpillar hanging out at the waterfall.

Plantain Buttercups

With spring hiking you never know what the trail conditions will be. We had it all on our hike yesterday including dry stretches of trail, mud, small streams, mud and snow mix, ice and snow mix and deep snow.  Hiking boots are meant to get wet and muddy.  We also took along ice cleats, but no snowshoes.

Our destination was the ridgeline saddle with views down into Red Butte Canyon and the Salt Lake Valley.  We only made it to a small meadow before the snow became too deep (needed those snowshoes!) causing us to turn around and head back.  So close yet so far.  But now I have a reason to come back to Emigration Canyon and repeat this hike.

Beautiful grove of white pine!

Here is what the beginning of the trail looks like.

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And back by popular demand - Wildflower of the Week!

 

 Wildflower of the Week

These are Plantain Buttercups also called Meadow Buttercups.  These brilliant yellow wildflowers are treasures of early spring.  They love very moist areas and can be seen as soon as the snow begins to melt in the mountains.

"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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244.3

Lake Mary Snowshoe

It was a glorious afternoon on the mountain Wednesday, March 19!

BEAUTIFUL!

That is Lake Mary buried under all that snow with Mount Millicent towering in the back.  

  AND MORE BEAUTIFUL!

Snowshoeing to Lake Mary on a crystal clear early spring day gives this classic summer hike a whole new feel.  The only little downside to this snowshoe hike is dodging the skiers and snowboarders on the way up.  After all we are on their turf - it is a ski resort.  But man oh man is it worth it once you reach the top!  

Doing moguls - snowshoe style!

Snow Rollers

Milly in our sights!

Lake Mary Dam

My good friend and hiking buddy.

We were not totally alone! A very ambitious skier!

A nice skier took our picture.

Pioneer Peak and Sunset Peak

Perfect spot for a snack.

More beauty!  We were surrounded!

One last photo before heading down!

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

This week marks my one year anniversary of blogging about hiking.   I know why I love hiking, but I can't explain why I enjoy doing the blog.  So I think I'll just keep at it until I get bored with writing and taking pictures - Maybe at some point in the far future I'll give up hiking (maybe in my 90s).  Who knows??

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013
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234.5