Reynolds Peak & Dog Lake

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Lake Blanche 2012

Sundial Peak is so Beautiful

This lake never gets boring. The beauty is never ending. We did this hike a year ago (16 June 2011) and ran into piles of snow. This time around the trail was much easier to follow and we were able to take our time and marvel at the sites around us. 

The trail starts at the Mill B trailhead up Big Cottonwood Canyon. From the parking area on the South side of the road head east along a paved path about a 1/4 mile. The trail then heads south up a steep incline to the south. This small climb then levels out and crosses over the Mill B South fork of Big Cottonwood Creek. After crossing the creek the trail heads north for a bit as it gains a little elevation and then switches back to head south. The trail follows the creek much of the way up the canyon till you make it to the final approach the trail then goes East up a few switchbacks. 

As the trail makes its way past the final switchback and makes its way to the lake there are many markings on the rocks that people have made as they visited the lake some dating back to the  early 1900's (if they are legit). We saw a few markings from 2012, it is sad that people do this still. Because lake Blanche is in the Twin Peaks wilderness area all visitors should use "Leave No Trace" principles in order to preserve the beauty of the area.

 Around the lake there is a rock wall this part of the old Dam that was used before the Twin peaks wilderness area was created. Below Lake Blanche there is also Lake Lillian and Lake Florence. These two sister lakes also offer peaceful views and beauty. 

Normally on or hikes we try to stick to a time frame because we have to head to work right after but as we hiked around the lake and took everything in our time frame went out the window and we spent about an hour just hanging around the lake.    

Joel and his brother Bret hanging out by the old dam.

This is a comparison photo of our 2 hikes to lake Blanche

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View Lake Blanche in a larger map

Bowman Fork (Millcreek Canyon)

Our original design as we set out at 6:30 in the morning was to hike Mount Aire (a peak behind Grandeur Peak) up Millcreek Canyon. As we drove up the canyon we were disappointed to find out the gate to the upper part of the canyon was still closed. I guess it never opens till July 1st even though we haven't had much snow this year. So we decided to find a random trail and follow it. 

The trail we ended up on was the Bowman fork trail. The trail head is found at the Terraces Picnic area. The picnic area is found about 4.5 miles up the canyon on the south side of the road. From the Bowman Fork trailhead, the trail begins a gradual ascent as it heads in a generally eastward direction for approximately 1 mile up the Bowman Fork drainage.  From there the trail leaves the drainage and turns to the south. After a series of switchbacks the trail arrives at a beautiful overlook towards Mount Raymond and the Mount Olympus Wilderness Area. 

After exploring the area for a while we continued onward. From the overlook the trail headed east again. According to our map we were supposed to run into a fork in the trail that would head over to the Porter Fork Trail. After searching for the other trail we decided to abandon our efforts and turn around. The map we had showed the trail heading towards a pass between Gobblers Knob and Mount Raymond.

Where Are We?

A Super Gnarly Tree we found 

Grandeur Peak (from the west)

I have hiked Grandeur Peak many many times over the years but always from church fork. This time we attempted to access it from the west side. There are 3 main trails approaching from the  west. All three options start from the Bonneville Shoreline trail.   The option we choose starts up the ridge further to the north and closest to I-80.  

View of I-80 from along the trail.

Once the trail reaches the top of the ridge it makes a very steep climb to the south where it joins the middle trail. From the trail merge the peak is in view and the climb is very steep. Overall the trail is much more difficult than the Church Fork route. Due to the fact that I need to take too many rest stops we didn't make it all the way to the summit this time. We will have to return later to finish the job.

Beautiful wildflowers along the trail.

Joel pretending he is fat.

After making the decision to turn around we decided to come down the middle trail. This option appeared to be a little more steep and also a little shorter. I can tell you honestly me knees and thighs were quite sore after this decent.

View towards downtown Salt Lake from where we turned around

Getting There:
 From the stop light at 3300 South and Wasatch Boulevard head east to stay on Wasatch Boulevard.   Wasatch Boulevard immediately turns north and parallels I-215.  Follow Wasatch Boulevard to its end where there is plenty of parking.  From the end of Wasatch Boulevard walk up the dirt road and take the first right fork.   The dirt road heads towards the mountain.  To the left (north) is the first ridge from Parleys Canyon.  In the gully formed by the first and second ridge south of Parleys Canyon, there is a well-maintained trail leading up the bottom of the gully.   This is the best route for climbing the West Ridge.  The trail follows the gully and than cuts left to the ridge top and a view of Parleys Canyon.  From the Parleys Canyon viewpoint the route is a well-used hiker made trail which follows the steep ridge to the summit.


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Mill B North and Hidden Falls

The Mill B North Trail Starts up Big Cottonwood Canyon. About 6 miles up the canyon in the middle of the S curve is the parking area. To the South of the road is the more popular Lake Blanche trail . The Mill B North Trail head is on the North side of the road near the top of the S curve. This trail is more often uses to access Hidden falls that is just a short distance from the Road.

The trail forks almost immediately after crossing the road. The trail to the left goes to the falls and the trail to the right heads up several switchbacks to the top of the hill above the falls. From here the trail follows the stream above the falls for a little while before turning to the right and climbing slightly steeper. After two long switchbacks the trail makes its way to the first overlook above Big Cottonwood.

View up the Canyon from the canyon overlook

Joel on the trail

After the overlook the trail heads to the northeast along the ridge between the Mill B fork and Porter fork canyons. We stopped at an overlook above Porter Fork directly beneath Mount Raymond. The trail continues on and provides access to Mount Raymond and Gobblers Knob eventually making its way down the other side of the mountain into Millcreek Canyon. 

Taking a rest at the top of Porter fork.

On the way back down we stopped off at the falls. Hidden falls is truly a beauty. I wonder how many people travel up and down the canyon without ever seeing it.


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Ferguson Canyon

Ferguson Canyon is a little know canyon near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. The trailhead is a little difficult to find This is the description we followed: Follow directions to the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. There is a 7-11 store here, at the intersection of Wasatch Blvd (Hwy 210) and Fort Union Blvd (Hwy 190, also 7200 South). From this intersection, head south on Wasatch Blvd for a quarter mile and turn left (east) into the Prospector Drive neighborhoods. Take an immediate right and head south up the hill. Take the second left onto Timberline drive and park alongside the right side of the road near the trailhead sign. A dirt road leads to a white water tower and then turns into a trail that descends into the canyon. Follow various branching trails east into the mouth of the canyon.

View back towards the Valley from the water tower

The Trail mainly follows the stream up the canyon. The first part of the canyon is surrounded by huge rocks and boulders, I would imagine it is a popular climbing spot.

We also found many old and interesting trees along the trail.

After about 1.5 miles the trail leaves the stream and heads up the mountain to the east to an overlook spot. This is where our journey ended for the day. I believe the trail does continue up to the top of storm mountain. We may have to come back and travel to trail a little further in the future.

Joel at the overlook

This was my favorite picture of the hike, an old tree perched at the top of the lookout area.

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Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook

The Desolation trail is a 17.5 mile (one way) trek that starts in Millcreek Canyon and ends at Desolation lake. Although I would have loved to have hiked the whole thing time would not permit. Our destination was a Valley overlook about 2 miles from the trailhead. The trail starts to the west of  the parking area. After a short distance the trail forks with the Desolation trail heading to the right and the Thayne Canyon trail going left.

The first part of the trail is very wooded and offers a lot of shade. after about a 1/4 mile you hit the first set of switchbacks. The trail was fairly easy but had a very steady elevation gain. After the first set of switchbacks the trail heads back to Thayne Canyon where the Two trails meet up again. (We took the Thayne Canyon trail on the way down.) Desolation trail then heads west and gradually makes its way up the mountainside. There is one switchback before a longer stretch of the trail  takes you to the last set of switchbacks that takes you over the ridge line to the Valley overlook.

First look at the valley 

A view of Grandeur Peak to the north

The desolation trailhead is located at the South Box Elder Picnic area, 3.2 miles up the canyon just east of the Millcreek  Inn.

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