Heading to the Grandeur Peak trail up Millcreek Canyon. It's south facing so even though there's not much snow in the foothills, a southern exposure will help make that a reality the higher I climb.
Beautiful morning. Sunny, clear and no inversion (too warm).
As expected, there's no snow at the entrance of the canyon and for the first 2.5 miles to the off road parking (other than in some shady spots). Even Mill Creek is flowing freely -- not a remnant of ice.
Although this is great weather to break the winter blues -- it's horrible for our water supply (the ski resorts) and nature - my crocuses are blooming and daffodils are popping up out of the ground. This will not be good if this parked high pressure system ever moves (and it really needs to). But in the meantime, time to enjoy it!
It's in the mid-40s as I make my way along the winding road thru the Church Fork picnic area. (Supposed to be another day in the 60s.) Can't drive to the trailhead in the winter -- the area is closed; makes the hike a little longer. There are pockets of snow here -- not a lot of sunlight reaches the area.
My goal is the first saddle which is about 2.4 miles and 1400ft in elevation to 7600ft. But if the trail is clear, I just might continue up.
I'm looking for signs of Spring today, plants emerging from the ground, buds on trees, insects, butterflies.... I'm thinking I'll see some of the overwintering bflies (Mourning Cloak, Milbert's Tortoiseshell and Commas).
The waterfalls are flowing -- which it were colder, I'd love to see them frozen.
The trail is a mix of dry, wet and hard pack snow. The snow is actually not too slippery - lots of dirt of other hikers to give traction. But I did slip on some of the more steeper sections. The hard pack should disappear as the trail reaches the sunny portions.
No signs of Spring that I can see in this forested area.
As I emerge from the forest, I start the switchbacks thru Scrub Oaks -- lots of naked Scrub Oak.
And of course, the wonderful of snowy (yes, snowy) peaks.
I do see some spiders hopping a bout.
As I climb, the views are more beautiful.
I can finally see the final legs of the trail and I can see they head thru snow as the trail curves from the full sun exposure.
I cross thru the rocky section -- it may be warm but not warm enough to worry about rattlesnakes on the rocks today. (thank-you).
I finally reach some hard pack along the trail. Actually hard to walk -- not because it's slippery but it covers only part of the trail so one foot is on a hill of snow and the other on ground. But more snow ahead.
As I make it to the 1st saddle, two guys were coming down from the peak. Said it was getting slippery with the warming temps. Guess I'm not going up (which wasn't the plan anyway).
I take a few steps to look west and Wow! the Salt Lake Valley is so clear!! I can see the Oquirrhs Mts, the Great Salt Lake,
I head to the right up a little hill for the full 360 view --- what a gorgeous day!!
To the northwest:
To the northeast:
To the southeast (with Grandeur Peak):
To the southwest (with Grandeur Peak):
I stay for just a bit before heading down.
Lots of folks heading up now -- it's going to be crowded up there.
On the way, I see a Mourning Cloak flying above the oak leaves.
Not far from the trailhead, I see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell and I see another by the waterfall.
Great day!
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