May 10 - Grandeur Peak

I love the every other Friday off because I can go anywhere with less crowd :)

Today, Grandeur Peak - its a mt peak off Millcreek Canyon. Folks have been telling me about it for weeks as it is one of the first 8000 ft peak clear enough to climb in early spring. And its my challenge for today. The trip is 2.7 miles (one way) and 2387 feet in elevation - definitely a test of leg strength.

Beautiful day (seems to be pretty typical in the desert). Never been in Millcreek Canyon but during my short drive, its different than the other canyons as it doesn't have the been towering walls like Big/Little Cottonwood and Rock Canyons - but just as nice.

The trailhead is only a 2.3 mile drive from the entrance (only 5 miles of the drive is open due to snow levels further up the road). When I had to park along side the road, I was a bit nervous that the place is crowded (its Friday morning makes no sense). But its simply because they have the gate closed to the picnic/parking area.

Had a close encounter with an Anise Swallowtail at my car -- she tried to land but decided against probably because I was digging for my camera as I have yet to get a photo one.

It was a bit of a walk up thru the parking area to the trailhead. But for the first time in my creekside hikes, Millcreek had water flowing (yea!). Love the sound of a running stream! And there were waterfalls of different sizes.

At one there was this little bird, right in the middle of the falls I guess looking for food. She would peck her beak a few times and then hop a little higher up the falls. (She was still there when I returned from the hike). Need to find out what that bird was.

The first part of the trip was wooded, leaves still coming out. But it did follow the creek and it was uphill -- this and the final stretch to the peak probably had the highest % grade (and the walk thru the parking area to the trailhead). Saw Spring Azure, Silvery Blue and Satyr Commas on this stretch.

Then the switchbacks arrived (my book says at the 0.8 mark). The grade on these weren't too bad. But walking on the side of a mountain now (uphill on one side, downhill on the other.) The trees wer mostly scrub oak, which still does not have a hint of a leaf (guy at work told me that they are the last tree to get leaves in the spring and the first to drop them in the fall). More flowers now - dwarf waterleaf, prairie star flower, spring beautys, larkspur, creeping oregongrape, violets and further up the trail what I believe to be Arrowleaf Balsamroot. There was another yellow flower almost ready to bloom - think it may be Yellow Bell.

The views were incredible (even with the scrub oak in the way). Kinda looked down on the canyon/valley. Further east were peaks with snow. Basically the same view for awhile as the trail continued up with each switchback. Eventually after a rock section, the trail started heading south across the valley (towards the snow).

Had the ba-jeebers scared out of me when a very large snake crossed the trail not 10ft in front of me! Eeek! My first thought was a rattler and I checked the tail and head but thankfully it was not --- its had pretty pattern (for a snake). I just waited for it to cross and get up the hill a bit before continuing.

Finally got to a place where you could see both to the east and west (SLC, the Great Lake). It was a good stopping point if someone didn't want to continue on as it was wide enough for lunch, it had a little rocky point where you can get a view of both side w/o trees, and it had snow!!

But I continued on. Not sure which of the 2 peaks in front of me was Grandeur Peak but by this time, my legs were dying so I was hoping for the closer. This section definitely was more uphill and a little trickier walking with rocks and tree roots there to trip you up -- and yes they did their job ;)

Got to another trail opening (with wonderful views on both sides).

My plan was to continue because I could see the end (probably 1/4mi and another 200ft up) but the trail right in front of me was covered in snow (past the 20ft of snow, it was clear). I see there were tracks in the snow from other people so it shouldn't be a big deal but my brain (aka fear) wouldn't let me continue. (Somehow slipping on the snow and sliding down the mt in an unplanned skiing event-- although somewhat irrational - was winning.) So I decided to have lunch and enjoy the views. I sat there for 15-20 minutes, watched a lady come down from the peak thru the snow safely but I still couldn't continue forward :(

So close.....but it'll be there for another time (when there's no snow = safer).

So I headed back down. Thankfully, no more snakes but more butterflies around - Mourning Cloaks, Sara Orangetips (and I finally got a photo!!!),

and a Spring White (in addition to the Commas and Spring Azures).

Great trip! I'm beat - soooo need a nap :)