Mud Lake to Blue Lake

You've heard the saying, "Life is a journey, not a destination."  Hiking from Mud Lake to Blue Lake is both an amazing journey and a destination.  The 4.75 mile hike to Blue Lake passes through spectacular scenery which varies from meadows to rocky slopes, along with pine and aspen forests that are laced with springs and streams  Two gems of the Tushar Mountains, Mt. Baldy and Mt. Belknap rise high above Blue Lake and will leave you in awe . . . it is a stunning sight.  Enjoy it . . . because the hike out is all uphill!     

Can you find Mud Lake?  This is where our hike begins  

 We passed through meadows 

This beautiful spring was surrounded by wildflowers!

Wow!  What a gorgeous sight!
 Mt. Baldy (12,122) and Mt. Belknap (12,137) tower over Blue Lake

Though not heavily traveled this trail is very easy to follow . . .
In fact, we never saw another person the entire day

The terrain kept changing as we switch-backed our way down the trail

Colorful Fireweed was scattered along the trail 

One of the many streams we crossed

Yes, the water was cold!

Mosaic puffball mushroom growing among some wildflowers

 Dwarf Mountain Ragwort 

North Creek was cascading down an eastern slope . . . so refreshing

This was Chipper's kind of hike . . . fresh mountain streams . . . the dog can drink!

The trail continued along this sloping meadow and into the aspens

Sedum debile . . .  a fun find, I have never seen it before!

 

This aspen makes a nice contrast against the Bryce Canyon like ridge

We're getting closer . . .

We took a Victory Lap around Blue Lake

Here we are once again!
 We hiked into Blue Lake following the old wagon road in 2009

Chipper looks forward to lunch break as much as we do!

What a sight!  Blue Lake with Mt. Belknap in the distance

Colorado Columbine were growing in the middle of the old wagon road!

This colorful old snag nestled in with a spruce tree really caught our eye

Looking back at Mt. Baldy from "the long road to the car" . . .
 we climbed 1500 ft in just over two miles!
 Totally worth it . . . this is the best way to enjoy Blue Lake!

Shelly Baldy Peak

It finally happened and it's mid August!  Yes, the road to Big John Flat is open!  This past winter brought much needed snow to Utah, however it also meant we had to curtail the hikes we had planned in the Tushars.  Shelly Baldy Peak was the first on our list and it was worth waiting for . . . a fairly easy hike with only 300 ft of elevation gain.  If walking through bright green meadows filled with wildflowers and stepping over little flowing streams sounds refreshing, then what are you waiting for . . . head for the mountains!   

We parked at Mud Lake

Mud Lake looks pretty, but the name fits . . . it is muddy! 

We came across this meadow filled with False Sunflowers and American Bistort

Awesome views in every direction . . . it was a beautiful day

That's Shelly Baldy Peak (11,321) just above the patch of snow

I spotted these Cushion Phlox just as we were headed into the rocks 

Can you find Chipper?
He struggled with the rocks and it became apparent that this was not the hike for him . . .
so Kent and Chipper turned around and retreated to the shade of some spruce trees

Within minutes, Andrew and I were on top of Shelly Baldy Peak 11,321
Woohoo . . . our First Mother-Son ascent!

This plaque and mailbox was put here just the day before!
We were the first to see it!

It was fun to read the comments from the family and friends of the Eagle Scout
 who hiked up here with the sign, mailbox and cement! 

 

We had great views of Mt. Baldy (12,122) on the left and
although it doesn't look as high, believe me Mt. Belknap (12,137) is higher!
We should know as we ascended it in 2008

Signs don't lie . . .  I made it!

Like a bull in a china shop . . . watch your footing on the volcanic rock.
It sounded like we were stepping on broken dishes!
Another unique feature was that we could hear water gurgling under the rocks . . .
apparently from the remaining melting snow 

 This is a great hike and only about 4 miles RT

We've come full circle . . . back around Mud Lake

Alpine Paintbrush, what a vibrant color!

One last peek at Shelly Baldy . . . of course I couldn't resist a few more wildflowers!
Tall Larkspur and Helianthella 

Rattlesnake Creek Trail & Mystery Lake

The summer monsoon season in the southwestern US runs from middle of June until the end of September, it can make hiking difficult.  The clouds build early afternoon and no one wants to be caught in the mountains during a storm; it's just too dangerous with heavy rain, thunder and lightning possible.  Recently, Kent spotted an unnamed lake on Google Earth up near Cedar Breaks; the next day we were on our way to find Mystery Lake!  The clouds were building and we could see rain off in the distance, fortunately we only got sprinkled on and it was refreshing! 

Starting out on the trail just north of Cedar Breaks National Monument . . .
the fence marks the Park's boundary

We get a nice view of Brian Head Peak off to our right 

Early on we get . . . a glimpse of Cedar Breaks!

Kent & Andrew walked right past these . . .
  not me, I saw them right away!

It was fun to come across a few Sego Lily's . . . they are the state flower of Utah

We've come this far and haven't seen anyone else on the trail . . .yet!

Kent is looking for Mystery Lake, he thinks we missed our turnoff

After checking Google Earth on our cell phone we turned around  

Then it was time to get off the trail and head in a direction
 we thought the lake might be located . . . the forest was littered with downfalls!

Woo-hoo!  We found Mystery Lake . . . Then the mosquitoes found us!
We hightailed it out of there!  Mosquito Lake might be a better name!

Colorful fungi growing on a dead fall

Cluster of mushrooms clinging to the bark of an aspen deadfall

It was refreshing hiking through the aspen and fir forest,
 the vegetation was lush and up to our waist 

On the way back to the trailhead we stopped to take in another view of Cedar Breaks

Almost back to the car . . . we hiked about 3 miles round trip 

Beautiful clusters of Rydberg's Penstemon below Brian Head Peak

Wildflowers were abundant on the drive to the top

Blue Columbine . . . so pretty!

Yes, it's August but, there's still snow!

Anyone can drive up to Brian Head Peak,
it's the easiest way to bag a peak! 

Kent is showing Andrew the area where Mystery Lake is located

What a great way to end a fun day in the outdoors, it was about 60 degrees!