Group hike with Annmarie & John – couldn’t think of a better way to bang out hike #45 of 2012 (yes, only 7 to go!).
Annmarie single-handedly selected today’s hike, planned our group meetup, added Amy & Dave to the day’s tally, AND drove one of 2 SUVs needed to track up RMNP. Thanks, thanks, thanks!
And as if I wasn’t excited enough, Annmarie sent out the weekend weather forecast Thursday prior – snow, heavy snow, and snow. FAAAANNNTASTIC! AND – on a fee FREE National Parks day. Hooray! ‘Cause ya’ll know: ‘free is for me!’
Arrived early at the Park but initially felt a bit duped – where was the snow? A light dusting, sure, but no feet of snow. The closer to Glacier Gorge trailhead however, temps dropped, resulting in heavier snow precip. Parked, layered up, posed for group pics – then onward TEAM. (No problem with capacity parking in snowy November :))
And because Ro was hanging back at Camp Bow Wow (no dogs allowed @ RMNP), I was able to use my poles. YES! Last week a headlamp, this week poles – all about the accessories. LOL>
Great conversations, lotta laughs and a heavy snowfall hike – LOVE this place, LOVE this day, LOVE these people! AND we picked up another hiker midway, Henry from the UK (Manchester – Go United!).
The snow slowed our pace but managed a short break at The Loch. The lake was almost completely frozen. Snow coated my eyebrows and Annmarie’s ‘Heidi’ braids. AWESOME day hike!
Folks wanted to head back just before we reached Glass Lake (still managed 8.57 miles roundtrip, so no slouching). Thankfully, John was our voice of reason: ‘We came as a group, we leave as a group’.
This day the ‘journey’ ROCKED, no worries about reaching a target destination.
Ended the day with burgers at Smokin’ Dave’s in Lyons.
Top 10 best hike of 2012! Annmarie & John – ROCKSTAR hiking BFFs!
The Loch/RMNP (heavy snowfall clip)
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- parked, layering up, ready for adventure!
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- trailhead group pic, check
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- new hiking buddies
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- Alberta Falls – AMAZING!
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- …and the snow begins
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- even a Yankees cap couldn’t save Annmarie’s ‘Heidi’ braids
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- The Loch
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- another hiking group joined our water/snack break, sheltered from the elements
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- near white-out conditions – FAAANNNTASTIC!
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- first snow angel of the season (no, you’re never too old)
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- turning back and grabbing burgers at Smokin’ Dave’s
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- AWESOME DAY HIKE!
My first night hike – sorta. Ok, ok…my first night hike without first being struck by lightning (Mt Audubon) 🙁
Flew to Salt Lake Saturday morning and spent a completely spontaneous weekend with Kimberly. Attended four hours of piano recitals, followed by dinner at Mazza (Middle Eastern grub), then my first planned night hike.
After first layering up, we drove Big Cottonwood Canyon in search of a hike.
First stop, Brighton Ski Resort. Too early in the season for skiing, but still a mighty nice locale for hiking. ALSO, appears we arrived in time for a late season Halloween party in the woods (it was that or a zombie apocalypse – LOL>) We chose an alternate route which ran us under the chair lift and provided an amazing view of the stars. However 15 minutes in, wham! – on our backsides…the day’s sun had created a landscape of ice.
Back to the parking lot, posed by a pre-season Christmas tree and off to Solitude. More Christmas trees – but no hike. Argh. Down the canyon and just off the S-curve, we found our trail – Lake Blanche.
https://www.utahoutdooractivities.com/lakeblanch.html
Can’t say Lake Blanche Trail was my most challenging hike of the year – but I did fall in love with NIGHT HIKING.
NIGHT HIKING is kinda magical and spooky all at the same time. Thousands of stars, rushing water, trail drop-offs, eery silence & unexplained night noises. PLUS I got to wear a (borrowed) headlamp! Two or 3 miles into our hike, sat riverside, stared skyward and talked for hours. 11:28pm when we returned to the car. Super fun night.
Fast forward 2 days:
REI took advantage of my new ‘night hike’ passion and sold me a new Black Diamond Headlamp. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!
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- layering up before my first night hike
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- first stop, Brighton Ski Resort
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- snowy trail, then wham! – ice!
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- preseason Christmas pose
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- just past the S-curve, we found our hike
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- my new passion: NIGHT HIKING & headlamps
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- who says I can’t stay up past 10pm?
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- impromptu Sunday morning Tabernacle visit
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- Christus on Fast Sunday
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- ho hum…spontaneous Utah trip over
My friend Kimberly chose Millcreek Canyon – no more than 15 minutes from Salt Lake.
This week’s hike was sandwiched between baptisms at Salt Lake Temple and ‘Luz de las Naciones: Sus Promesas’ (cultural event) at the Convention Center. Non stop, jam-packed weekend plans!
Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook (Overlook Trail, Trail 019)-(4.8 miles round trip). Trail is accessed from the Desolation trailhead located just east of Millcreek Inn on the south side of the canyon. This a moderately strenuous hike that leads to a fantastic view of the Salt Lake Valley. The Overlook Trail is also a popular snowshoe trail in winter.
Lucky for me there was plenty of snow (’cause I LOVE SNOW)! Snow has a way of transforming even ordinary hikes into uber scenic panoramas. Warming afternoon temps caused heavy snowfall melt from the canyon’s tall pine branches – creating steady droplets against the stunning white backdrop & piercing sun. Beautiful hike day!
Church on Sunday, then a quick drive to ‘This is the Place’ Heritage Park before my return flight to Colorado.
Go big or go home, zero regrets! Taking in all of life’s moments.
(p.s. Many many thanks to Kimberly’s Aunt Carma & Uncle Don for lodging & guest room accommodations.)
Millcreek Canyon (snowmelt clip)
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- beautiful hike day: snow, sun & 40-degree temps
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- from ordinary to extraordinary
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- quick drive by after church
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- ‘This is the Place’ Monument
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- last pic before Colorado flight home
