Hwy 80 thru Parley's Canyon, I could tell the colors were all there but because the sun was in my eyes it was really hard to enjoy. I got off at the Jeremy's Ranch exit and made my way to the dirt road that leads to the Mormon Trail. The colors around the houses and foothills in the Jeremy's Ranch subdivision were really nice but I knew the dirt road would be better especially with the river that flows thru the open pasture land. And it didn't disappoint.
Burnt orange, dirty yellows, reds were up all of the foothills.
The grasses around the stream were all different shades of red.
Now time to backtrack one exit to do the Summit Peak trail -- which I tried during the summer but turned around due to rain clouds approaching fast.
I get off the exit and turned left too quickly and ended up going uphill thru a subdivision of really nice houses on a narrow road. Lots of "Moose Crossing" signs on the road. The houses were something I could see myself living in (wild backyard - ski chalets) BUT they were far too close to each other. Pretty interesting to get up and down that road in the winter.
Headed back down (luckily the road had "Exit" signs so I didn't get lost) and then made the proper turn to weave thru another subdivision to the trailhead parking.
In the upper 40s now at around 11am. Yesterday I vowed never to forget my gloves and today I did bring them (even went back in the house after I was ready to go to pick them up) but decided to not take them because the sun was out --- not a good move. So now I vow not only to bring them in my car but actually take them on the hike :)
The trail starts with 10 switchbacks, there were lots of yellow shrubs to look at while walking thru the pines on this section of the trail. The trail was very wet and muddy in spots - and slick. I thought it was because of the rains on Thurs/Fri but I found out quickly and there were still remnants of snow in spots. Looks like the trails are freezing at night and when they warm up, mud.
The mud made getting up the turns on some of the switchback interesting as they were pretty steep.
After I got thru the switchbacks (and the pines), I got to the colors.
Mostly different shades of oranges and a burned yellow of the scrub oak (and a few reds). The colors were below the trail and above up to the top of the foothills.
Found a fir cone and its was disintegrating so I helped it along. Actually saw for the 1st time what the seeds looked like and pulled enough off to see the cone stem. Just doing some investigation.
Squirrels were sure chattering today.
Finally got into the bright yellow aspens and looked out to the east and could see the snow in the high Uintas. (I think I missed the window to get out and hike in the Uintas (10K+ peaks)-- the snow is sticking -- probably still worth a drive though).
Got to the trail junction with the Over Easy trail (I took the Over Easy trail last time). The Over Easy is very steep and extremely muddy today - would prove very interesting to get up if I were taking it.
Continued on the main trail, a few spots were like mud skating -- my shoes were so heavy with mud.
Got to a part of the trail that was just dead tree branches -- no color -- seemed out-of-place.
When I got to the end, I had 2 choices to go left and one to go right and I didn't remember which one to take. Tried the left and as soon as it started downhill I knew it wasn't correct (I was going to a summit that has to mean uphill.)
So I sat down and had lunch enjoying the warm sun and views. Then a dog started barking at me - scared me. His owner called him back and apologized. She told me the summit was to the right.
Finished lunch and then headed right. Took a faint trail (it had footprints on it) but after a bit of walking on a sketchy trail decided that it didn't seem right so headed back. I was almost back when I saw the real trail (I must have been on a game trail.) This trail went up hill. Pretty steep in spots and at times I felt like a cartoon character with my feet spinning and going no where in the mud. At one point I slipped forward and caught myself with my hands before splatting into the mud. :)
I knew I was close to the top but I had enough of the mud and headed back. (At least I made it further than last time.) So now I had to go down the steep muddy hill -- my goal was simply not to end up on my butt.
I didn't see this on my way up but there was a crudely made lean-to in the woods. Second one I've seen on these trails.
Made it safely back down to the main trail and headed back to the trailhead.
There are definitely moose in these woods -- I see hoof prints on the trail.
At one point going back I came extremely close to ending up on my backside. Luckily, with right leg kicked out in front of me and arms waving in the air, my left heel must've dug into the mud and I was able to balance myself and prevent a sloppy fall (like a horrible flamingo imitation) Whew!
Made it safely down the rest of the trail.
The drive home was amazing. The sun was just perfect and the foothills were alive with color. From top to bottom, they were covered in a carpet of various shades of oranges and deep dark (dirty) yellows. There were occasional spots of red and brilliant yellows. Even the tall 8000-9000ft slopes were covered in the mat of color. For the foothills that weren't covered in trees, the colors looked like a formal gardens scattered on the hillsides. Made me smile to see all of that. Pretty amazing.
And that wasn't the best part. The best part was entering Parley's Canyon where the mountains (and the carpet of colors) is right near your car. Fantastic!!!
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