Majestic Trail to Clayton Peak

Summit of Clayton Peak (10,721)

The Majestic trail to Clayton Peak (elevation 10,721) traverses through the heart of Brighton Ski Resort.  Surprisingly, the majority of the trail is a very scenic path through a mature forest of spruce and only occasionally pops out to pass under a couple of ski lifts.  Clayton Peak is one of the easier peaks in the Wasatch mountains to summit providing exceptional views of the surrounding mountain peaks and beautiful green valleys.  To the southwest you have a spectacular view of Timpanogos, to the east lies Heber Valley with views down into Wasatch State Park golf course, and to the west are perfect views of all the mountain peaks that make up Big and Little Cottonwood canyons.  I couldn't choose a favorite view.  The hike begins by following the trail to Lake Mary from the Brighton ski resort parking area.  After 1/2 mile you will reach a junction with the trail for Lake Mary on the right and another 500 feet to Dog Lake on the left.  Head towards Dog Lake and you will soon find the small trail sign for Clayton Peak and you are on your way.  The trail is very easy to follow all the way to Snake Creek Pass.

Mountains of snow left over from the ski season.

Split rock is a fun landmark along the trail.

Snake Creek Pass

At Snake Creek Pass (elevation 10,040) we get our first view of Mount Timpanogos in all her glory.  Spend time enjoying this view, it is a great photo op.  From this point the trail to Clayton Peak follows the service road to the left.  This service road was very easy walking.  Most descriptions of the trail say that you follow this road for about 1/4 of a mile before finding the faint trail to the right which climbs to the summit of Clayton Peak.  Here is where the steep stuff begins, but you must persevere!  In just a short while you will be at the top!

Ski boundary.

Beautiful views of Mount Timpanogos

Our destination - Clayton Peak

Following the service road.

 Climbing Clayton

As the climb gets steeper I tend to take more rest stops which gives me an opportunity to take more pictures.  It is a boulder climb to the top, but the trail is visible.  The most prevalent wildflower on this mountain trail was a lovely, bright carpet phlox or also called moss phlox which in some spots covered entire small rocks.  We also came across a very old sleeping cot and an unopened can of potato flakes.  Someone tried setting up camp on the rocky ledges of Clayton Peak??? Strange!!  I'm usually very good at removing trash from the trail, but this was a little much for me to carry out. 

Carpet or Moss Phlox

Camping supplies??

A fellow hiker enjoying the view on summit.

Summit at 10,721 Feet

As I mentioned before the views from the summit of Clayton Peak make the work to get there worth every step.  We enjoyed a nice snack at the top and even shared a couple of nuts with the resident chipmunk.  There were also dozens of butterflies floating about.  Pictured below is my friend Martha as she makes the last boulder hop to the summit, birds-eye view of pretty Lackawaxen Lake, awesome view of American Fork Twin Peaks (11,489) with the Snowbird tram and the view of Mount Superior (11,132).

As we started down from the summit I noticed a Dream Catcher in one of the pines.  It is my dream that this wonderful wilderness we call Wasatch can be preserved for many future generations to enjoy.  

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Unfortunately, hiking through a ski resort area tends to be littered with a lot of trash.  I pick up what I can.  However, there is a wonderful organization that provides volunteer opportunities to clean up trails, restore damaged trails and remove invasive weeds.  It is the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation and on July 11, 2015 they are doing a mountain clean-up within the Alta ski area from 8:00 am until noon.  You will ride the ski lift up and help gather winter trash as you hike down beautiful Albion Basin.  Get Involved.  For more information check out this website: http://cottonwoodcanyons.org

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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