Dog Lake and Beyond!

I didn't get a hike in last week and I seriously missed being on a trail. Something akin to withdrawals I suppose. - confession of a hiking addict.  So today I went hiking solo, picking a very familiar trail but adding a new twist.  It was wonderful!! To be up in the mountains, out of this stinkin' inversion and to breathe clean air was just what I needed!  My destination was Dog Lake via the Mill D North Fork Trail in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  The trail was snow packed which made for easy hiking with just a few places iced over at the beginning.  I recently purchased a new pair of YakTrax I wanted to try.  More on those later.  No snowshoes needed.  Sure do wish the mountains would get more snow!  

The sky was the most exquisite shade of blue!

I followed these bike tracks all the way up the trail and thought really??!!  And sure enough there was a mountain biker on the trail today.  Now that is an extreme outdoor sportsman!  Kudos to him!

I was truly alone today, but it was okay.  I made it to Dog Lake and kept on going.

 Dog Lake

 

 

From Dog Lake I headed east following another hikers trail climbing up a small knoll through dense quakies finding an amazing vantage point with wonderful views (by now everyone knows I love a good mountain vista).  A perfect spot for a snack and to soak up some sun!

 

Looking into Millcreek Canyon all the way to Antelope Island.

Gobblers Knob and Mount Raymond

Back country skiers know this area very well from the looks of all the ski tracks.  I also saw a lot of animal tracks, but no actual animal sightings.

 More of what I love best about hiking!

A mighty Ponderosa pine next to a mighty Douglas Fir.

 It was a great day on the trail!  I hiked 5.4 miles and saw only one other hiker and the mountain biker.

I'm kind of getting into gear these days.  I purchased these YakTrax which slip over your hiking boots designed to keep you from slipping and sliding on the snow and ice while hiking during winter months.  I would rate these a B+.  They worked great on the packed snow, but on ice I needed more traction.  And they did slip off the toe of my boot a couple of times.  They cost me $20 on Amazon.

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******Miles hiked tally

beginning March 22, 2013

216.1