Showing posts with label hiking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hiking. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon

Silver Lake is one of my favorite places to go in the fall but, like every other person in the state of Utah (my sister and I took a drive along the Alpine Loop over the weekend and, because all of the parking lots were full, there were lots of cars parked along the side of the road which made the narrow switchbacks a lot of fun to drive), I am finding great solace in nature so I decided to go there yesterday.
I went early in the morning so there were very few cars up the canyon and only a few people at the lake.  A man was fishing with his two adorable sons, who were between three and five years old, and when I asked if they had caught anything as I walked by they excitedly squealed that they had caught two rainbow trout!
Silver Lake is near the Brighton Ski Resort at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon.  There is a large parking lot right by the trailhead.  A boardwalk extends into a meadow and then continues around the lake shoreline.  On the far side of the lake the path becomes a dirt trail but it is very well maintained.
It is a really easy hike that is just under a mile and the majority of it is flat with a boardwalk.  There are even a few benches along the boardwalk near overlooks with display boards giving information about the wetland ecosystem.
On the other side of the lake there is a dirt path with a few changes in elevation but it is really easy to navigate. I loved walking through the forest and I saw quite a few little critters.
I loved being in the mountain air and it felt so invigorating to be hiking again.  It has been a while and I want to continue now that I have more time.
To get to Big Cottonwood Canyon, take the 6200 S. exit on I-215 and follow the signs to Brighton/Solitude.  Silver Lake is right at the top of the canyon and there are lots of signs.  It took me about an hour to get there from my house in Bountiful (I was slowed down by a bit of construction just before Solitude Ski Resort).  I enjoyed this hike immensely and I highly recommend it, especially for kids or for people who want a nice leisurely stroll through beautiful scenery.

Friday, July 3, 2015

Escape to the Mountains

As I was leaving my house so an agent could show it yesterday morning, I received two more texts requesting more showings.  For those of you keeping score, that meant three showings back-to-back which would require me to be out of my house for three hours.  I was headed to the library, which has become my daytime go-to place to hang out and read while these showings are going on, but three hours?  I turned my car in the direction of the mountains!
I love driving through the mountains with the windows down, the music loud, and the breeze cool on my face.  It was so peaceful and relaxing.
Since I was in American Fork Canyon, I had to make a quick stop at Cascade Springs!  I feel a little bit like Anne of Green Gables because every summer I have to visit all of my favorite places.  Instead of the White Way of Delight, I have Cascade Springs!
I had the whole place to myself for quite a while and I loved listening to the sound of the water.  It was a lovely morning!

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Cascade Springs

Yesterday was a little bit overcast which, in my opinion, is perfect for hiking.  I live in an absolutely beautiful place and can literally get to any number of trailheads in the mountains within 30 minutes.  I decided to go to Cascade Springs and then drive the Alpine Loop from American Fork Canyon to Provo Canyon.  Cascade Springs is made up of a series of cascading waterfalls over travertine terraces.  You can hike the lower loop by the pools or you can hike the middle and upper loops to the source of the springs.  It was especially nice yesterday because it was cool and not very crowded.
After hiking around Cascade Springs, I drove the Alpine Loop.  It was beautiful and relaxing.
I love driving through the mountains (especially with the windows down while listening to Neil Young).  It was a lovely day.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Yellowstone 2014

When I got home from Jordanelle, I had just enough time to do laundry and shop for provisions before I headed out again for a week at Yellowstone National Park (about a five hour drive north from Salt Lake).  I love Yellowstone and I have been planning and looking forward to this trip since April.  Since I am pretty familiar with the park, I had a plan for my time there.  On my first day I visited all of the geysers and hot springs.
Lower Geyser Basin
Midway Geyser Basin (my favorite feature in the park is the Grand Prismatic Spring)
Lower Geyser Basin (I really love the Sapphire Pool)
Old Faithful
West Thumb Geyser Basin (I liked the Blue Bell Pool)
Norris Geyser Basin (I hiked all around the Porcelain Basin which was about two miles)

On my second day in the park I went on several scenic drives.  It was so beautiful!
The Yellowstone River
The Lower Falls
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.  So Spectacular!
I was able to see lots of wildlife!  You're not really supposed to get this close to the buffalo but I just kept walking towards them!  On a Yellowstone trip when I was ten, I walked right up to a buffalo to get a close-up picture and it freaked my Dad out.  He couldn't yell at me to stop because he was afraid of spooking the buffalo.  If I recall correctly, the picture I got was blurry...

I stayed in a cabin at the West Yellowstone KOA and it was so much fun!  The people in the cabins were outdoorsy, adventurous, and very friendly with lots of stories to tell around the campfire.  I enjoyed sitting on my porch reading.
I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Yellowstone.  Next time I visit I want to go fishing!

Note:  For two nights I drove into West Yellowstone to see productions at the Playmill Theatre.  On Monday night I saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which was fun as always, and on Tuesday night I saw Les Miserables, which was absolutely amazing!  It is a small and intimate theatre and the performers lead you to your seats and chat with you for a few minutes.  They all recognized me when I returned on Tuesday (I sat in the same seat both nights); one of them kissed me on the cheek and another one hugged me.  I really enjoyed both shows and I highly recommend them if you are in the area this summer.
Go here for more information and to purchase tickets.
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