Not sure what to expect as we've only had around 2 feet of snow in the mountains so far and none since Thanksgiving. I'm sure I won't need the snowshoes but taking the YakTrax for my hike up to Greens Basin in Big Cottonwood Canyon.
This is a new hike for me. It's the same trail head as Days Fork (which I've been on) but as soon as I finished climbing the steep hill as the beginning, the Green's Basin trail splits off to the left. It's about 1.5 miles and a little over a 1000ft in elevation to the Basin.
The lower part of the canyon has no snow but as I get higher, I start seeing some. The south facing slopes are pretty bare, it's the north facing side that still has the snow (but not much is left).
I get to the trail head and it's a good thing I brought the YakTrax -- there's snow and it's hard packed - lots of ski markings from the X-country skiers.
Very quiet out - the silence is broken briefly by an angry squirrel I pass on the trail.
After getting up the steep hill, the trail heads left through the conifers (lots of Douglas Firs) and Aspens cutting across a very steep mountain side.
I'm keeping my eyes open for wildlife but not seeing a thing, not even hoof prints in the snow.
Occasionally, I see lightly snow dusted mountains in the distance but I never quite get a good look because of the forest.
Finally, the trees thin very briefly and I can get a better look at the mountains (and boy do we need snow!)
Not a very exciting ending but the end.
I follow a few tracks up a hill hoping to get a better view of the mountains but all I see are more trees.
Time to head back.
I do see a squirrel on the way down; not an angry one -- this one let out a short chirp before scampering up a tree.
Not a bad trail but I think I'll stick to Days Fork, Mill D South and Dog Lake for snowshoeing (if the snow ever arrives).
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