June 25, 2026 Draper Suspension Bridge

 Draper Suspension Bridge  #13

hikers: 2

distance: 2 miles

elevation gain: 439 feet

Here is a view of the valley at 8:21am on one of the longest days of the year. The valley is bathed in sunlight but the bridge is still in the shade as the sun comes up.

On our way down we noticed this interesting fence post! I don't know how long it has been here but it is actually sprouting a new green branch!!! We talked to someone who was walking by and he thought it was some kind of elm. Even an old fence post has life in it and can grow.

June 20, 2026 Hiking Club at Willow Lake

 Nana & Grandpa's Hiking Club

Willow Lake

Big Cottonwood Canyon

hikers: 6 bigs & 9 littles

distance: 2 miles, out and back

elevation gain:  600 feet

Here is a little map of where we went. Strava didn't get it all so I drew it on with a purple line! We parked along Big Cottonwood Road and hiked to the lake. This is the longest hike we have ever done and the kids did great. But, when we got to the lake they didn't want to go further so we didn't go around the lake.

This is where the trail begins.

This is the trail. Uphill incline all the way. So pretty and shady in this area.

We were almost there when we saw a moose!

I didn't even take a picture of the lake, or pond 

was more like it. But you can see the reflections!

We saw lots of wildflowers on our hike. That's what 

we were on the lookout for and we were identifying them.

Wild rose

leafy Jacob's Ladder

mountain bluebells

wild geranium or cranesbill

ragwort

And a reward for all the hikers. Thanks to Landon. Who wasn't even here to get it.

June 19, 2026 Draper Suspension Bridge

 Draper Suspension Bridge  #12

hikers: 2

distance:  2.03 miles

elevation gain:  439 feet

My usual photo of the bridge and the mountain from near the top of Ralph's trail. It's green and beautiful on the mountain and the weeds are turning straw colored and drying out.

Checking on the formerly abandoned house to see how it's coming along.

Saturday, June 13, 2026 Suspension Bridge

 Draper Suspension Bridge #11

from Hidden Valley Park

hikers: 2

distance: 3.27 miles

elevation gain: 348 feet

    The trail from Hidden Valley Park is longer, but not as much elevation gain. It is a nice and enjoyable trail. Here is what it looked like on strava.

We parked at Hidden Valley Park and started at this sign near the corner of the parking lot.

There is a paved trail. There are also other ways to walk through the park and get on the trail.  

Eventually you get on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.

This was a pretty part of the trail.

This is an access road that goes to some kind of water facility.

The Bonneville Shoreline trail goes down from this road.

Crosses a bridge over Little Willow Creek,

and goes up.

This is a rocky tail. There are some bikes.

Lots of views of the Valley since you are on the side of the mountain.

These rocks are my favorite part of this trail. You walk between them.

We saw a paraglider.

You can see the bridge ahead. Almost there.

A view looking down at the water from the bridge. 

From the Hidden Valley Park trailhead you stay on the Bonneville Shoreline trail. From the Orson Smith Park you do the Bridge Loop.

This was a good switchup from our usual hike. 

It takes a little more time but is not as steep and very pleasant.

June 6, 2026 Houston Hiking Club

 Nana & Grandpa's Houston Hiking Club 

Elizabeth Keiser Meyer Park

hikers: 2 littles and 2 bigs

distance: 1.47 miles

elevation gain: 0

What do you have to have to make it a hike? There was no elevation gain, it was a paved trail, but there were trees, a pond and 4 happy hikers. We dropped the parents off at the temple and went to a nearby park for our hike.

Our route.

Four happy hikers.

This 2-year-old was a really good hiker.

Look close! We found some little fishies.

May 29, 2026 Draper Suspension Bridge with Jacob

 Draper Suspension Bridge with Jacob

#10

hikers: 3 of us

time: 7:21 am, before work for Jacob

temp: 61 degrees

We went early enough that Jacob could join us before he went to work this morning.

There were some beautiful flowers along the trail.

Almost there.

May 23, 2026 Hiking Club to Silver Lake

 Grandpa & Nana's Hiking Club

Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon

hikers: 9 littles & 6 bigs

distance: 1 mile

elevation gain: 55 feet. stroller friendly although we did not have one

They have done a lot of work improving the trail around Silver Lake. Unfortunately it now costs $10 to park, or you can park down the road at Brighton and walk back. We have an America the Beautiful pass which covered our parking fee.

The trailhead. We went left from here, but you can go either direction and it is one big loop.

The boys heading out on the trail.

We came to some snow, which was a fun place to stop.

We continued through the trees.

About halfway around the lake we found a good spot to stop for lunch.

We continued on and enjoyed walking on the nice, new boardwalk.

It was a little cool but very pleasant today. The mountains are so beautiful.