My destination is the Mill D South (or Cardiff Pass) trail. I took this trail a few months back having no information on where it goes and how far it goes, and it was beautiful!! But I turned around after one hour.
Today, I know the details - starting elevation: 7400 ft, 2.5 miles to the mine, 3.5 miles to the Pass - just not sure how far I'll get. That depends how much snow is still around and when it starts looking like rain because it's coming today.
I turn up Big Cottonwood canyon and it's greening up - the trees are leafing out! So pretty and quite a contrast from the "brown" I've been seeing for months. But the further I get up the canyon (and higher in elevation), I'm back to seeing "brown". However, there's no snow, so that's promising.
I pass some of the more popular trail heads and they're pretty empty. Guess if you can't X-country ski or snowshoe, not many people come out. Good for me!
I get to my trailhead -- naturally, it's the TH with the most cars. :(
It's 40 degrees around 9:30am and with no sun out, it's quite cool. Hoping the sun comes out at least for a while.
The ground is snow-free; I have to look up more than 1/2 way up the surrounding mountains to find snow. But then I'm along the canyon road -- should be interesting once I get into the backcountry.
I'm a little surprised to find the yellow blooms of OregonGrape along the start of the road.
With the snow melted, it's an easy walk along the paved road. I get to the dirt road (which is the trail) and continue. Much different looking when its now covered in snow. Kessler Peak to my right look awesome today!
As I get to the split to Donut Falls, snow is appearing near the trail. I cross the creek -- which is flowing slowly - and I hit the snow. This is the uphill climb - no switchbacks - just a steep climb up the side of a mountain following a valley below. The road is surrounded by pine trees so very little sunlight shines here. And it runs alongside a creek.
With all the snow, the creek flows in-n-out of snow tunnels. The sun is starting to peek out now.
The snow is hardpacked but in spots I poke through just over my ankles. I don't see any other footprints just old X-country ski ruts. I must be the 1st person up here in quite some time. The only sign of life on the trail are some coyote tracks (pretty fresh).
I break out into a forest opening. The sun is shining, there's snow around the creek and mist rising off the flowing water.
I'm in and out of the forest and the creek is getting farther below.
At one section of trail, the pines/shrubs are covered in snow/ice (probably from last night's rain) which is slowly melting. I can see water drops hanging from the vegetation.
I continue up the trail.
Soon, I finally break-out of the forest and below me is a snowy valley with the creek running through.
The mountains on the other side and in front are totally snow covered. So quiet, so peaceful, so beautiful.
Soon, the clouds begin rolling in -- I'm a little further up the trail than last time but it's time to turn around. One last view.
Before heading down.
Awesome day! Still not over though, I'm heading up to Silver Lake.
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