Heading all the way to the end of Millcreek Canyon today to check out the Falls colors. The trail leaves from the Upper Big Water trail head and after about 4 miles and 1900ft of elevation ends at the Wasatch Crest Ridge overlooking Park City's Wolf Mountain Ski area (at 9500ft).
I hiked this last Fall and it was fantastic, so I'm expecting the same today. (And it's an odd numbered day so I will not (more like should not) have to worry about bikes -- they are not allowed on the trails on odd days --- gives the hikers and dogs a break.)
Beautiful morning and heading up to near 90 in the valley -- near record temps. I'll get a break from the heat in the mountains but I still leave early. The canyon appears to have a good amount of color though its hard to really tell as I'm either in the shade or have the rising sun directly in my eyes.
I get to the trail head and start the hike around 8:40am. The trail is still in the shade and it's a cool 43 degrees -- breaking out the fleece this morning (could use some gloves - need to pack those). Lots of colors around - ground vegetation as well as trees --- will look really nice on the way back when it's all in the sun.
As I climb out of the canyon, its finally getting warmer - still in and out of the sun (mostly in the shade though).
Lots of fuzzy seed heads around -- tall aster, purple asters, even some Fireweed and Salisfy (bigger than a dandelion seed head).
Lots of rose hips too.
And I'm surprised to see some geraniums and yellow composites still a bloom -- just a few - I also find one lupine still in bloom.
Hearing the stream down below along the entire trail.
I'm coming up on a little water hole -- hoping (as always) to see a moose... not today.
A little further up the trail (and a little higher in elevation), I check the view behind me. Not bad!
Hearing lots of rustling in the vegetation; some it made by birds and chipmunks.
As I come to the big meadow at the 2 mile mark, I hear a bigger rustle and I stop and look. The movement is coming from the right side --- the sounds are moving both left and right. Then I see 2 doe crossing the trail in from of me heading left. I know there's still at least one deer to the right so I slowly move forward. Then I see a big white backside of another doe to the right - just one. She's slowly moving off into the trees.
If that wasn't good enough, I hear bird sounds just off the trail. I find a larger brown bird under a pine tree moving around. Then 2 bikes come riding by (yes, they aren't supposed to be on the trail but obviously in their minds, they are special and the rule doesn't apply to them). Unfortunately, the bird spooks and flies off. It's definitely a ground bird - turkey, grouse, ????
At the meadow the trail opens up and much more color is visible.
I continue on to the ridge. Oh, the Park City side looks so pretty in the morning sun!! But I know the views are better if I continue up the Great Western Trail. - experience from last year.
I take a short little break (cookie time) and then head up the Great Western Trail for a bit.
The Great Western climbs thru some heavy woods before opening up in a golden aspen grove. It's probably a 1/4 mile before I stop at the first "pull-out" looking down on the ski resort. Fantastic!
There's a hill to my left
And I climb it as I did last year for the great 360 views. The views don't disappoint!
I can see down the canyon into the Salt Lake Valley.
Can even see the rugged peak in the Cottonwood Canyons.
I make my way back to the Great Western, I heading up probably another 1/4 mile or so to the 2nd pull-out. My plan is to turn around there -- the Great Western continues on though past Desolation Lake (my destination 2 weeks ago and into the Brighton area).
I'm on a ridge now with awesome views to the south and down into the Salt Lake Valley.
I make a quick stop at the second pull but decide to continue on to the next corner (the trail goes up from here).
I climb a little hill hoping to get a better view (over the trees) to the south. And it works!
I also find my lunch spot - a log with a view looking down on Park City area.
I spot my first butterfly of the day - a White!
Time to head on down. On the way, I see a couple of Clouded Sulphers and a Mylitta Crescent. (I see a Mourning Cloak when I get back to the parking area.)
The canyon is much more colorful now as the sun is shining.
Mission accomplished --- lots of color!!
Great day!
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