We went from Little Dell Reservoir to the top of Big Mountain. We hadn't intended to start there, but we couldn't drive very far up the canyon. The gate was closed. We assumed it was to benefit all the guys on bikes, because there wasn't any snow at all. Fortunately most of them stayed out on the road while we followed the dirt trail.
The trail had a lot of shade. It had plenty of level spots and it wasn't rocky. That enabled us to walk far without too much trouble. We definitely slowed down on the actual climb up Big Mountain though.
This sign is posted at the top of the trail and is where we ended our walk. To be more accurate; this was our turn around point.
Here's a marker that is up there too. Our hike last week, went up Little Emigration Canyon (starting near Jeremy Ranch), and connects to this spot. All of last weeks water obstacles and fallen logs kept us from reaching the top. This time we went up the the North side of the Mountain.
Even the climb up Big Mountain had some welcome shady places, like this:
This little section of trail is just below Afflick Campground. There were lots of yellow flowers. On the return walk we stopped in the campground where I soaked my hot feet in the river. We also sat at a picnic table and ate apples. The campground isn't opened yet:
A little view along the way (also below Afflick):
As we approached the Reservoir, we went through an area with very tall grass:
There were acres of grass:
At last we were back to the Reservoir. By this point our feet were very tired:
My walking companion:
Later this summer we will probably come back to the Reservoir with our fishing poles and lawn chairs. Instead of hiking we will try the relaxing old people thing.
2 comments:
that looks like a beautiful place to fish... what a great hike you had! i love that you do these all day hiking adventures... such a great way to enjoy a saturday :D
I tried out my new hiking shoes on this trail. I was a little concerned breaking in new shoes on a long hike, but in the end it was good that I had them, my old sneakers would have been a poor choice.
We enjoyed the sometimes moderate elevation to the trail, but I should add that at the last climb to Big Mountain there were many switchbacks that added to the length of the hike. It was here, where we took switchbacks, that the pioneers had to lock their wagon wheels with chains and logs and in some cases stone anchors to keep the wagons from going out of control and over running the oxen.
So much history on this trail... the companies at this point were so close that you could see the valley, yet this last section was so dangerous, they could not take any chances.
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