Lake Solitude Snowshoe

I really love to snowshoe!  Not only is it fantastic exercise, but snowshoeing makes the winter season so much more bearable.  When the winter inversion socks in the valley, the mountains have clean, fresh air to breathe.  Snowshoeing is an inexpensive sport.  Once you purchase your snowshoes you are set. (No costly ski lift tickets required!)  Check out Costco this time of year for great deals on snowshoe sets.  I purchased my snowshoes from Kirkhams Outdoor Products last year at the end of the season and got them for 65 percent off.  And I love them!!  Check out this website for great snowshoeing tips and trail descriptions.  www.snowshoeutah.com

Yesterday was my first bona fide snowshoe hike of the season.  Too early for really great snow depth, but it was still beautiful and a lot of fun.

Lake Solitude

We wanted to try the trail to Lake Solitude for snowshoeing before the Solitude Ski Resort opened for business and we thought there would be plenty of snow at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. The trail to Lake Solitude begins by hiking around the north side of Silver Lake which will soon become Solitude Nordic Center. When the Nordic Center opens in a few weeks an all day snowshoe pass is only $5.  The total distance to Lake Solitude is just over 3 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of only 300 feet.

On this hike you will pass across about three ski runs which will make it a tricky snowshoe when the skiers are on the mountain.

We extended our hike a bit by walking all the way around the lake. I know I've said this before, but it is fun to see the mountain lake from all directions and make the hike a bit more challenging.

 

Duck walking on thin ice!

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

177.3