Canaan Peak Hike

It seems like most every year we celebrate our anniversary with a hike . . . this year (our 33rd) was no different.  We decided to travel to Bryce Canyon, enjoy a concert and in the morning hike the relatively unknown Canaan Peak.  Although not visited by many, this is none-the-less a very enjoyable hike that provides spectacular views of the southern portion of GSENM (Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument).  We invited Tom and Lola to join us and surprisingly (it's a two hour drive from their home) they said, "Where and what time do we meet you?"  Their company, along with a great trail and wonderful views, made for a most enjoyable day!

Lola has her pack on, she's ready to go!
(Several people have said they couldn't find the start of this trail . . . 
It begins directly behind this sign and heads west before grabbing a ridge and turning south) 

We were so happy to see a well maintained trail!
Travel this path for several miles until it joins an old logging (ATV) road . . . 
Follow the road for several hundred yards and it will lead you to the base of Canaan Peak

Powell Point, off to our west, was visible for much of the hike

There wasn't much left of this old snag

The trail/old road took us below the colorful and spectacular south end of Canaan Peak 

After passing under Canaan Peak, we made the short but steep ascent from the east side
(Total ascent was about 300 feet)

Halfway there....

Just a walk in the park now!

On a clear day you could see for miles and miles . . .
For us, visibility was somewhat hampered by the haze . . . 
None-the-less, we plan to come back and enjoy this view again!

We kept Lola with us while Tom precariously searched for the
Bench and Reference markers

He found them in the craziest location . . . near the edge!
  He'll document them on National Geodetic Survey website

Canaan Peak Benchmark
It hasn't been updated in the data base since 1959 . . .
That's about to change thanks to Tom

Starting back down the west side . . . 
This side certainly wasn't as steep and showed a little evidence of a social trail

We stopped to view the Claron formations on our descent

Tom wanted to "bag" the GSENM highpoint . . . 
So while he and Lola hiked a couple of extra miles, we waited and enjoyed the day 

This was Tom's view of Canaan Peak (9,293) on his way to the GSENM highpoint

This little guy was busy singing while we waited

Almost back to the trailhead . . .
Round trip for the Canaan Peak hike was about 5.5 miles

Kent spotted these Shaggy Mane mushrooms growing in a dry stream bed 

After saying good-bye to Tom and Lola, we drove up FR 148 (Stump Springs)  . . .
This road takes you to the base of Powell Point . . . 
It is here that "Under the Point Trail" begins

It's obvious that this trail only gets light to medium use . . .
Many sections (in the draws) are washed out, but can be easily traversed . . . 
unless you're hiking in stilettos!

Can you see the little window?
Time for us to call it a day and gets some dinner in Tropic before heading home

It was a great day of exploration and capped off another great anniversary hike!  For more detailed information and directions to Canaan Peak, please see Tom's peakbagger entry by clicking here.

Nevada Road Trip

After hiking to Griswold Lake, we drove to Wells, Nevada and spent the night.  Before heading home, we wanted to visit Angel Lake and then hike a couple of miles into Smith Lake.  Both are glacial lakes in the East Humboldt range of the Ruby's.  However, on the descent from Griswold Lake, Kent's leg started giving him problems and after attempting a short section of the Smith Lake trail we had to turn around.  Instead, we made plans to come back (sometime in the future) and hike not only Smith Lake, but also into Winchell Lake.  The post below shows our time at Angel Lake and then a short diversion we took to Black Horse Mine and cemetery near Sacramento Pass on our way home.  

Little Church of the Crossroads in Lamoille 

Heading up to Angel Lake . . .
Winchell Lake trailhead is straight ahead

High up on a hillside above the road . . . we felt eyes upon us!

It rained during the night . . .
Now the sun is peeking through the clouds creating a nice morning glow

Angels?  No, it's just us & our shadows!

Angel Lake is a glacial tarn and very picturesque

We took a few back roads on the way home . . . dirt roads! 
 Gold was discovered here in 1905

Don't you wonder how far back this mine adit goes?

Kent decided we needed to stretch and get a little exercise!
(Hey, Kent, you look a little sore)

There were mine shafts all over this hillside

Looks like a good place to escape bad weather . . .
In fact, that's how gold was found in Black Horse . . .
 A prospector sought shelter under an overhanging ledge during a rain storm
and, as they like to say, "The rest is history."

Off in the distance are the mountains of the Great Basin National Park . . .
They are obscured, as much of Nevada was, by the haze from forest fires

These colorful rocks piqued Allison's interest . . .
She decided this is where she would have started looking for gold!

This little tree was growing inside the shallow shaft

We visited the Black Horse Eldridge Cemetery . . .
Quite a view and peaceful place to be laid to rest

Ahh . . . so good to see blue skies near Milford, Utah

 

Hennen Canyon to Griswold Lake

It’s been far too long since we last visited the Ruby Mountains of Nevada, so when Tom invited us to come with him for a hike we didn’t hesitate to “tag” along.  The plan was for us to hike with Tom to Griswold Lake where we would stop, fish and watch Lola while he continued up to Ruby Dome (the highpoint of the Ruby’s).   Lola had other plans . . . she was going to the top too!  So, we relaxed, fished and enjoyed ourselves while waiting for Tom and Lola to return.  Later in the afternoon they returned from a successful summit and we all hiked back to the trailhead together.  What a great day!

We woke up early, ate breakfast, and packed up our camp all in the dark . . .
Shortly after 7am Utah time (6am in Nevada) we hit the trail!
Don't trust the mileage posted on the sign . . . they lie!

It's official we are on our way into Hennen Canyon

Kent & Tom stopped to read this aspen tree

It was probably a Basque Sheepherder who left his mark on this tree . . .
we liked the arrows . . . they've got you covered . . . coming or going!

Tom took our picture . . .  do we look awake?!

                                                   

We followed a trail of rock cairns in this upper portion of the hike . . . Rock on!

We think & hope that we are almost there!
It's right over the ridge, right? 

After 3½ miles this looks very promising!

Griswold Lake!
How pretty, even on a hazy, smoky, overcast day

We forgot to check the GPS when we arrived . .  . it actually took us about 3 hrs

Griswold is a glacial tarn . . . a lake formed in the cirque of a glacier 

 Common Yarrow was the only flower I saw in bloom near the lake 

The water from Griswold Lake flows under a little rock dam and forms Butterfield Creek

These rocks were embedded into this old tree stump

Tom took this picture of the lake on his way to Ruby Dome (11,388) . . . 
Tom and Lola still had two more miles and 2,000' to go!

Rumor has it that Griswold is stocked with Cutthroat trout every three years . . .
We have decided that there are no fish in the lake . . .
so we'll just say 2020 must be year three!
Kent still had fun trying!

Here's living proof . . .  we made it to Griswold Lake!

Looking at the Fall foliage and the crystal clear lake made us forget about the haze  

Tom & Lola taking a well deserved break after just getting back from Ruby Dome . . .
(Of course, pork loin with Grey Poupon was in order)
For Tom and Lola this was an 11 mile RT hike . . . amazing! 

Time to head back down Hennen Canyon to the trailhead

It was so refreshing to see some Fall colors

Out of the rocks and back into the forest

The smoky haze is still lingering below in the Spring Creek Valley . . .
We were so glad to get above it for a while . . . 
Almost back to the trailhead after a fabulous day in the Ruby's!