The trail head sits at the S-turn in the canyon and the parking there is usually at a premium as the more popular Lake Blanche starts from the same parking. But today, to my surprise, I actually didn't have to park in the secondary lot or along side the road but in the main lot!! (Coming on Friday sure helps.)
The trail starts on the west end of the lot and begins its climb heading west - paralleling the canyon. The trail is thru a very heavy pine forest with a steep slope to the up and down sides. Its all in the shade this morning even though its after 9am. The trail is pretty easy walking (i.e., not many rocks, tree roots, etc) The trail turns away south and the noises of the road fade away.
Soon I start to hear the sounds of a creek which means my first destination, the stream crossing (1.1 miles) is coming up.
The crossing is over a footbridge and the creek, with uphill/downhill slope, is a little waterfall. It's really pretty.
The hills are much rockier now. I'm starting to get nice views of mountains to the north but its still very shady.
Finally, I come to this large rock slab with a mountain view to the south. Definitely not my destination but I've got to be almost there. And an really nice view north.
Quite honestly, the most spectacular view I've seen in the UT mountains!!
This is the end of the maintained trail but the trail continues east and one goes south. I take the one east as I believe it heads to a little lake. I make some detours on some side trails to take in the basin views. The peaks (left to right) - Dromedary (11,107) and Sunrise (11,275) terminate basin. I can see a little snow up there!! And very rocky slopes off Sunrise are glistening with water (probably melting snow). There are pops of yellow from the aspen still in Fall colors --- an incredible view (even with the sun low on the horizon).
Before getting to the lake, there are 2 sets of logs to cross over a little stream. I cross one set to get a photo.
Do I really want to go to the lake? I saw it from above and it's low on water... I think I pass. I'd rather go back and take that other trail heading up the right side of the basin.
So as I walk that right trail, I look down on that little lake (the I chose not to go to) and holy cow, there's a moose there!!
It's a female and she's on the southern edge. She's there just for a moment before she heads into some trees. I watch to see where's she's heading but I can't find her. Amazing that a creature that big can simply disappear -- no movement in the trees, nothing. If I had only gone to the lake - ugh!! Oh well, at least I saw her.
I continue along, still keeping my out for the moose below. I see another little pond down below, and the stream flowing down from the peaks across the way. The running water is the only sound I'm hearing.
I follow the trail for a little bit until I end up back in the trees. I'm sure the trail will take me to the rocky slopes but I'm more interested in finding that moose so I head back to spot above the pond with a good view of the lake and have lunch watching for moose. And enjoying the mountain views.
I see 2 Mylitta Crescents at my lunch spot.
As I'm eating, I wonder why this trail isn't very popular. It's amazing! I can only figure it's because there's no real lake for people to lunch and recreate by. Boy are they missing out. But shhh, it great for folks looking for a little solitude.
After a 1/2 hour and no moose sightings, it's time to start heading down.
The trail is definitely brighter now. I see a Hoary Comma in the woods.
I finally see people, one trail runner and a little further down a couple heading to the footbridge.
In one spot I start hearing what sounds like a short blow on a whistle. I look in the trees and find this gray bird on the very tip of a pine. I think it may be a Townsend's Solitaire.
Great day and an amazing hike! Hope to be back before the snow piles up on the trail.
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