Tuesday, August 9, 2022

 Shakespeare Arch and Sentinel Trail

hikers: Seth, Mark, Lecia

distance:  we went maybe a mile or possibly less.

This was our next hike at Kodachrome Basin.  It was evening and we knew we didn't have a lot of sunlight left so instead of doing the whole loop we did our own hike.  Besides, we read that Shakespeare arch collapsed some time ago.  We started at the trail head and took the middle trail.  It is called the slickrock cutoff and is more challenging.  We were kind of doing it backwards since people usually go to Shakespeare Arch or viewpoint, as it is now, and finish the loop the way we started.  

The trail is narrow and steadily ascends. 

You get up a ways and there are some beautiful views.

We got to the slickrock area (no picture of that) and I opted to turn around and go back the way we came.  It was  going to get dark soon and I didn't want to slow Seth down.  Mark kindly went back with me although he could have continued on.

Same trail we went up on.  After Mark and I got down we took the other fork to meet Seth coming back from the loop he made.  He confirmed I made a good choice.  At least for me.  

It was a nice time of day for hiking but it did limit our hike!  

We didn't see another soul at the trailhead or on the trail.

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

 Grand Parade Trail at Kodachrome Basin State Park

hikers: Lecia, Mark, Seth

distance: 2.1 mile flat loop, with box canyons you can explore

This was a flat trail in a desert environment with some beautiful rock areas here and there.  We enjoyed it but I wouldn't recommend the entire distance for young kids, although it is not a difficult hike. I think it would be long and uninteresting for kids.  That is unless you had bikes! This would be a great place to use them!  There was not a lot of shade so don't do it in the middle of a hot sunny day.

There was one other car in the parking lot when we arrived, none when we left and we didn't see a soul on our hike!  Very solitary on a Tuesday afternoon.

The trailhead.

Interesting things along the trail.

By the way, box canyons are not to be confused with slot canyons.  Box Canyons are way more open and not tight like a slot canyon.

We did come across an area that was like a slot canyon.

When the trail was in the shade of the rocks it was a lot cooler and really pleasant.

There were some desert wildflowers.

The trail markers are useful. 

 There are a lot of washes in this area and they look a lot like the trail.

This was one of the unique formations.  

It looked like a concrete pillar standing alone in the desert.

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Mossy Cave

Happy Birthday Seth!

It just so happened that we took a little trip on Seth's birthday and the  first hike we did was at Bryce Canyon to Mossy Cave.

hikers: Mark, Lecia, Seth

1 mile

really worthwhile hike

This hike is not in the main area of Bryce Canyon.  We were on the highway driving past Bryce on our way Kodachrome Basin State Park and the Mossy cave trailhead was just off the highway.  

This is where you start the hike and there are bathrooms there.

This is a very short and enjoyable hike.  It is out and back, .4 miles to the cave and a little longer if you go to the overlook to the falls, or to the falls themselves.  It is an easy hike with a little elevation gain at the end as you go up to the cave.  It's not a shady hike but there is a stream to the side that you can walk along or in and cool off!

The scenery is beautiful.

You cross a bridge and you can go down to the stream here or many other places as well.

I don't know these people but you can see hiking in the water can be a lot of fun!

This is the overlook and you can see the falls and the water are a popular spot.  This wasn't even a busy day, at least the parking lot wasn't entirely full.  There was also one person on the top of the fall.

A little information on the Tropic Ditch and why there is water there.

And here is Mossy Cave!  

It doesn't look like much from here but it is really cool, literally, under the overhang.  

It was a beautiful blue sky the day we were there.  No hint of the rain the came later that night while we were sleeping in our tent!

Saturday, March 12, 2022

 So this hike was supposed to be the Jungle Trail, same as the last hike I posted many months ago. 

 I thought it would be a good birthday outing.  

Unfortunately, the grandkids were not able to make it and that is who the Jungle trail is for,  and to top it off, the Jungle Trail itself was very muddy!  Nevertheless we hiked, right past the turnoff for the muddy Jungle Trail and continued on until we came to some forks in the road.  

Then we turned around and went back the same way we came. 

 So it wasn't what I expected, but still it was nice to get out and about a little.  

And it's always a good time when I am with my kids!

Tuesday, November 18, 2021 Jungle Trail, in Draper

Jungle Trail

trail:  We started at the Carolina Hills Trailhead in Draper.  

hikers:  Dad or Grandpa, Mom or Nana, Marisa, Rees, and the two girls!

length of hike: about a mile and it is a loop.  It is an easy hike and made for kids! I can't wait to bring the other grandkids here.

The trailhead is in a cul de sac but it wasn't busy the day we were there and there was room for parking.  

Ready to hike?

Follow the signs for the Jungle Trail!

Just keep walking!  And watch for bikes.

"If you see a horse say Hay!"

I guess you need to watch for horses too. But we didn't see any.

And watch for poison ivy!  There were lost of warning signs!

Off to the right, across a creek, you can catch a glimpse of the Jungle trail just before you get to the turnoff.

The turnoff to the jungle trail was just before this sign warning that there are downhill bikes on the left, to stay to the right!  If you pass that sign you've gone too far.  

There is good signage.  This is where we turned on to the Jungle Trail.

It's made for kids!

But adults are allowed too.  

Then you follow the signs to go back to the trail that takes you to the Caroline Hills trail head.  

Cross the bridge, turn left, and you're almost back where you started.  

This was a fun little hike!

Monday, October 11, 2021 Aspen Grove trail to the second falls

 For future reference, this was the perfect weekend to drive the Alpine Loop.  These things change from year to year but we hit it just right this time!

hikers:  mark, lecia, seth

trail:  the Aspen Grove side of  Mount Timpanogos up to the 2nd falls.

length:  2.5 miles round trip (1 mile to first falls, another .25 miles to second falls); 770 ft. elevation gain.

We parked in the parking lot  that is just above the toll booth near Aspen Grove.  There is a fee for this canyon, whether you are driving through or stopping to hike.  This time we started on the American Fork Canyon side and drove over the Alpine Loop.  The parking lot near Aspen Grove is for access to the Mt. Timpanogos trail and also the trailhead for Stewart Falls.  The trails start near the restrooms.  

Driving the Alpine Loop.

Gold on the mountains.  It really was a beautiful time of year.

Trailhead at the edge of the parking lot.  

Another good thing about this time of year, at least on a Monday afternoon, 

was that the parking lot wasn't full.  This is a well used trail and can get very busy.

Gold on the trail!

There's a bridge to cross and parts of the trail are paved.  

Look around and you can see signs of avalanches!

We have hiked up this trail quite a few times over the years.  Once, several years ago we saw a moose.  Today we saw something very interesting.  There was this critter on the trail.

Here is a close up of his victim.  From listening to the kids who had just passed this before we got there, it  had just happened!  Right before their eyes!

The one critter, I can't remember what it was called, was hauling off the dead squirrel, even though he was smaller than the squirrel.

We arrived at the first falls and kept going because 2nd falls is not a lot further.

Seth at 2nd falls.