Twin Lakes

Joe and I took a little Saturday hike today. We parked near Silver Lake (our regular fishing hole) but this time we climbed a short distance (1 1/2 miles) to Twin Lakes.

This is looking down on Silver Lake:

This is Twin Lakes:

We sat there for awhile on some rocks. I spotted some ground squirrels and so I got out my bag of tortilla chips. Soon I was surrounded by 5 squirrels and 3 chipmunks.

They started to get pretty bold. I think they would have eventually climbed right up my pant leg to get at the food. That would have freaked me out!

We decided to cut over to Solitude lake from here. This is the view as we left Twin Lakes:

Alpine Paintbrush:

This is Solitude Lake, which is more of a large puddle than a lake. In the winter this water source is used to make snow on the ski slope.

A little further along, we stopped and ate our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We attracted a little guest again.

This tree squirrel came down and I gave it a chunk of my sandwich. It's probably the most exciting thing to ever happen to this squirrel.

Just before we were completely off the mountain we got caught in a quick downpour (including small hail). We put on our plastic ponchos and enjoyed the adventure. There were lots of other people on this part of the trail, but they weren't so prepared (including some little kids).

As we drove out of the canyon, we noticed that it hadn't rained at all at the lower elevations. We stopped at the 7-11 at the mouth of the canyon for soda. Everyone that goes in there is so dirty! We fit right in. This is where the bikers, hikers and rock climbers go. .

That's our day so far. I hope all of you found something enjoyable to do too.

Pioneer Day 2010

Today is July 24th in Utah which is our state holiday commemorating the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley (1847).

I learned that the Pioneer era is generally considered to have ended with the 1869 arrival of the transcontinental railroad.

So, what did we do on this day? Joe and I first drove up Little Cottonwood Canyon (above our house). We drove about 10 miles, parked and took a shuttle the rest of the way up. This was just because of the unusual amount of people, caused by a holiday.

We were let out at the Secret (also spelled Cecret) lake trail head. We joined the small mob of people walking up to the lake. It only takes about 30 minutes. It's steep but still pretty easy to get to.

So how do a couple of people escape the tourists and families with little kids?

For starters, we climbed up to Secret Lake Saddle. About half way up the mountainside, I stopped to look down at the lake.

Then we continued:

After getting over the saddle and walking a short distance I spotted this little badger. He was very calm and unafraid of us.

Further on we started to walk through some meadows:

May be some Mountain Bluebells mixed in here:

Some of the pink shades may be Alpine Paintbrush:

We climbed higher and were finally rewarded with this backside view of Mount Timpanogas:

Just Me:

We were very close to Sugar Loaf peak here, but we didn't want to climb any higher. We took in the views and started back down.

Instead of returning the hard way, we followed easy ski roads.

Here's just another mountain off in the distance:

This is called High Traverse; one of the ski lifts:

We made some stops along the way and just enjoyed ourselves. Eventually we were back at Secret Lake and then we took the same trail down that we had come up on. This trail went through some huge fields of wildflowers:

A last look back:

We had a short wait for the shuttle which took us down the mountainside to our car.

So what did all of you do for Pioneer Day?

Red Pine Lake

Today Joe and I went on a Saturday hike. This time we went to the Red Pine Lake. The trail head is in Little Cottonwood Canyon. We started at approximately 7,500 feet. The lake is at 9,600 feet.

I think we did okay for a couple of grandparents. It's a fairly rigorous 7 mile hike which took us about 2 1/2 hrs to go up, then an hour and a half to eat lunch and play at the lake, then 2 1/2 hours to come back down.

My pictures aren't in the best order, but they are all up at the lake:

Water spilling out of the lake:

Where some of the water flowed into the lake:

This is near the far end of the lake. We stopped short of going into these boulders:

For about 10 minutes we had some light rain and I put on my plastic poncho. I was relieved when the cloud passed and the sun came back out.

I fished with my collapsible pole. I really did get something on the line. My pole tip bent and my line ran out a bit, then I lost it. Oh well, it was exciting for a minute there:

Joe is sitting next to me on another rock. We had a light picnic and rested our feet. This is also right where I am fishing:

I love the wild flowers at these high altitudes:

Water flowing into the lake:

Getting ready to leave the lake and make the big walk down:

Last look at the water and mountains:

Walking around the lake on the way out:

This is the bridge at the bottom of the trail. We have been out for 6 1/2 hours, not counting the drive of course:
I have a new appreciation for Tylenol, Super Big Gulps and showers. Next Saturday we may go up the White Pine Trail. Stay tuned.