Chilly morning, around 35 degrees at the trail head. But its sunny -- I think the high will be mid-50s. Fall has definitely finally arrived but as I drive up the canyon, winter has arrived too - the S-curve parking lot is now closed for the Winter. (We haven't had any snow yet!)
The parking for the Mineral Fork trail is road side and when I get there around 9:30, there's no one there. Of course, I'm walking in the morning shade yet again.
Very quiet out this morning once I get far enough from enough away from the canyon road. No birds, chipmunks, squirrels, etc. Just the creek that is flowing far below me.
The trail is an old mining road so its wide and easy to follow. But the road is very rocky so I'm slipping and kicking many rocks.
I'm startled by a Grouse as it flies off the ground and into the trees.
The sounds of the creek disappear for a while and start back up. I'm arriving at a water fall coming down from the left side of the trail. It flows across the trail and down to a stream bed below. Before the waterfall, the trail gets a bit wet -- bet the trail is a flowing river (and pretty impassable) in the Spring w/ the snow melt.
I see a Dipper hopping (and dipping) up the water fall. Let's see if I can find a way through the water without getting my shoes wet -- Success!!
After the falls, I see a wooden structure -- looks like the floor joints of an old house/mill. I guess it could be a old bridge as its over on dry creek bed but there's no where for it to go.
I guess I'll be seeing that waterfall again as the trail switches back. I cross yet again!
Another switchback but I don't have to cross creek for a third time as the creek flows for a while parallel to the trail.
Good views west down the Canyon -- will be much better on the way back when the sun is up higher in the sky.
For a while, it's just walking through the pine forest or walking with the sun in my eyes - can't really look around.
I come upon a creek. There a logs in two sections for folks to cross but I decide to rock hop across.
Then it opens up to a big meadow and aspen groves. To the east, are mountains - large and rocky. Still some color on them as the oaks are in Fall color. Most of the aspen near the trail are bare now but there are patches of yellow and orange. Really pretty.
But then I'm back in the pine forest again until I reach another meadow. Still hard to see in front of me because of the sun but to the east, more mountains!
The trail was pretty easy up until this point but now its starting to climb.
I finally come upon a new stream, very rusty in color. Must be getting close to the mine. Through the sun haze, I can see the mountains at the end of the Fork and then I look left and see a big pile of mine tailings and a creek flowing along side of it -- that's where the mine is!
I'm level with the mine when the trail splits, to the right and another 1.5 miles and 1500 ft in elevation is the Regulator Mine, but I'm heading left to the Wasatch Mine.
What an awesome view down towards Big Cottonwood Canyon!
I arrive and my peace is broken by the sound of an ATV which arrives at the mine before I do. (I think he came up that other trail.)
I cross the rust-colored creek so I can look for the mine. But I can't find it. So I cross back and there's the gate mine entrance -- it's, of course, the source of the rusty water.
I find great spot for lunch with awesome an awesome view towards Big Cottonwood Canyon road.
I feel like Simba in the Lion King!! :)
Time to head back down and see what I missed in the morning shadows!
I had hoped the sun would be high enough to get a good look down to the end of the fork, it's better but it's Fall!
The trip along the mountains is prettier.
Back at the viewpoint....definitely better than earlier.
Wonderful day -- beautiful place!
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