Monday, December 30, 2024

Antelope Island

Our son asked us if we would be willing to come up to Saratoga Springs and watch our granddaughter for a few days as he was unable to get extra holiday time off due to starting a new job.  Of course, we said we would, but rather than sitting around his house, trying to keep Emma entertained, we decided to introduce her to something her grandparents enjoy doing . . . exploring a new place!  Since none of us had been to Antelope Island, and we were curious about it, we set out on a road trip to visit this unique Island.

We have arrived . . . or so we thought!

We didn't realize that we had a seven-mile causeway to cross before we arrived
(Well, maybe we vaguely remembered, but we always thought it came in from the south and not the north)

We are looking back at the causeway we just took from the "mainland"
(Quite an interesting history of this land bridge . . . probably the most amazing was that, in past years of heavy snowpack, that the waters of the Great Salt Lake actually flooded over the dike and road)

Looking north across the Great Salt Lake . . . nice reflection of the snow covered mountains

First up is the Lady Finger Point Trail

This was a short, but fun trail!
Emma enjoyed locating the different paths that wound through the craggy rocks

Standing on top of one of the many rock formations

Not sure what this post (and others not pictured) were doing out on this point . . .
Maybe an old observation platform or possibly a dock when the Lake's waters were higher??

Looking back east at the Wasatch Front . . .
Hard to believe that there is a massive city located between the Lake and the mountains!

Emma enjoyed scaling all the rocks

After leaving Lady Finger Point trailhead and heading for Buffalo Point Trail, 
we came across these bison that have made the island famous for their annual Fall roundup

Next up . . . Buffalo Point Trail

Heading up the mile long trail that had about 250 ft of elevation gain

Up on top . . . with more rocks for Emma to explore

We surprised a covey of about 20 chukars . . . this is the first time we've ever seen one

Heading back down . . . someone is hungry!

We were surprised to see such high mountains on this island

Almost back . . . did we mention that someone was hungry?
(We spent the next half hour trying to find some snacks, but grandpa had said "don't pack any, we won't need them." It didn't help that there weren't any available in the Park)

As we were leaving the Park (to find some lunch), we stopped to admire Mt. Frary (6,596ft) . . .
There is a 6.5 mile (r/t) trail to the top that has 2,100 ft of elevation gain and an 1892 benchmark . . .
Looks like we'll be making another trip back, in the early spring, to hike this interesting looking peak!

As we were leaving the Park, Allison was surprised to find a "Raising Cane's" restaurant just ten miles down the road in Layton . . . we have always wanted to try this chain out.  We had trouble keeping Emma awake on the way . . . but "bobble head" made it and was thankful for a good meal.  As we headed back to Saratoga Springs, someone, passed out very quickly and we enjoyed a quiet ride home . . . ah, we love it when a plan works to perfection!


Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Peak 3714

About a month ago we were hiking the Mustang Pass Trail and came to an unexpected social trail.  We had a decision to make:  Stick with our original plan and complete the trail, hike Peak 3714, or take the social trail up the mesa and merge with the Icehouse Trail.  We chose the latter.

Fast-forward to a beautiful Christmas day, and "itchy" to get outside, we decided to go hike Peak 3714, which we can see from our house.  So off we set, retracing our steps on the Mustang Pass Trail until we got to the saddle where we left the trail and went up to the summit of Peak 3714.

Starting out just north of our Green Springs neighborhood

There's Peak 3714 . . .
We will go through the Pass and start our ascent from the back side

Starting up . . . this doesn't look too hard!
(We went up just right of the small lava flow above Kent's hat)

Almost there . . . it took us maybe 20 minutes . . . not bad at all

Looking north at Peak 4938 . . . it's just above the white mound the sun is shining on
(We tried hiking the ridge to it in November, but didn't make it . . .
Making plans for a different route that we'll do, hopefully, later this winter.)

Up on top it was every bit as flat as it appeared it would be from down below . . . 
We came across these rocks that look, almost, as if they had been moved to form this rectangle??

Nice view back to our neighborhood where we started the hike

We worked our way around the summit rim, taking in the very nice views that surrounded us

Almost back down . . .
(Looking across the valley, you can see the social trail, that we took last time, going up the ravine to the top of Broken Mesa and the Icehouse Trail)



Once down, Allison suggested that we ought to complete the Mustang Pass Trail
 and make this into a loop hike . . . It added a couple extra miles, but it was a good idea!
(Not sure what's up with this boulder?? If you pass this way are you suppose to toss a rock on top??)

Looking back at Mustang Pass and Peak 3714

We have completed the Mustang Pass Trail . . .
Behind us is the Mill Creek Trail (an old road) that we will use to get us back to the trailhead

Here's an aerial photo of our route . . . we downloaded our GPS tracks onto Google Earth to create this shot
(Click on the photo for an enlarged view)

Although this hike turned out to be a little longer than we had originally planned (6.5 miles), it made for an enjoyable and a fairly easy hike.  With just about 900 ft of total ascent, we were able to complete it in about three hours.  Not too bad for a bunch of senior citizens, out for a stroll, on Christmas Day!



Saturday, December 7, 2024

Otho Natural Bridge

After hiking the Hidden Valley Trail, near Moab, we wanted to add another outing to make our long drive worthwhile.  Once, again, we turned to the Desert Drifter's YouTube channel to find an adventure that might be known to "the locals", but not overly promoted that it would be heavily visited by many tourists.  After a little searching, we decided on Otho Arch and began making plans for a route that would take us into the North Fork of Mill Creek where we would take a side canyon up to Otho Natural Bridge.

Starting out on a cold December morning in Moab . . .
We parked just off the Sand Flats road and walked this two-track to the canyon's edge

After a mile of easy walking, the road ended at this amazing overlook . . .
From here we needed to find a way down to the canyon floor.  There was very little "clear" information on the internet as to how we were to accomplish this.  However, piecing all the information together, it seemed like we needed to: 1. Find and walk a sandstone shelf 2. Make our way through some sandstone fins 3. Take a side canyon that would lead us down to a trail in Mill Creek Canyon.  All we knew for sure was that we needed to be on the other side of the "Three Fingered Jack" rock formation pictured above.

Just to the west of the overlook we found what, at first glance, looked like an impassable slope of sandstone . . .
However, upon closer examination, this was the start of the shelf walk
that provided an easy skirt around the formation

Now it was time to find our way through the sandstone fins . . .
We were expecting this to be the hardest part of the hike, but in reality was very easy!  Just stay as high and close to the rim cliffs (on Kent's right), as possible, and this will allow you to bypass all the ups and downs necessary to get through the fins (on Kent's left)

Eventually, walking under the rim's cliff will lead you to this sandstone fin . . . 
There weren't many options at this point, so the obvious choice was to walk this fin down towards
the wash below . . . which, as it turned out, was exactly what we were suppose to do!

Once down off the sandstone fin, a social trail began to form on the flats above the wash . . .
This lead to the side canyon that we would follow to the main canyon floor



Ah, the "Three Fingered Jack" and we're on the right side (west side)!
 We're almost down!

Once down on the canyon floor, we followed an unmaintained trail for about a half mile

North Fork of Mill Creek
Allison kept telling Kent, "You never said anything about crossing a stream!"
(As you can see, it's nothing too bad . . . you may have to walk up/down for a ways to find a suitable crossing) 

Frosted leaves and moss

Icicles
The creek was cold and, yes, Allison, we need to cross it!

 Kent found a good spot . . . a rock hop, skip and a jump . . .  we made it!

Heading south into Otho Canyon . . . 
After crossing the creek there are many different trails, heading into the canyon,
but they all quickly merge into one main trail . . .
It was about a half mile walk to the end of the canyon and Otho Natural Bridge

Hopefully, you will see this stained wall . . . if you do, you're in the right canyon!
(Notice how well defined the trail has become)

This was an unusual plant . . . it's called Indian Milkweed

We have arrived at the amazing Otho Natural Bridge!

View from the inside looking out

Here are the happy explorers!

One more look before we head back

A magnificent monolith of sandstone catching the last rays of sunshine for today

Allison couldn't identify this plant (possibly leftover remnants of a fireweed??) . . .
Regardless, it was unique and justified a picture!

Almost back to the "Three Fingered Jack" and the side canyon we'll use to return to the top

Working our way up the well defined social trail . . . it had a nice grade to it

Atop the rock fin, once again, and looking back on where we have come

Now it's just a horizontal hike over to the shelf . . .
These twisted Utah Juniper trees showcase the middle cluster of the La Sal Mountains

Walking the shelf . . .
Just around the corner will be the scenic overlook, where we first started

Don't let Kent fool you . . . it wasn't that scary!

We could see this window from down in the canyon . . . It's located under the Overlook . . .
We bet most people miss it as it is not visible when you're standing on top

Engagement Ring Rock, official name or not . . . it fits!
(This is where the two track road ended . . . now it's just a ¾ mile walk back to the Sand Flats road)

Wow, what a great hike!  It had a little bit of everything . . . route finding, beautiful scenery, a little elevation loss/gain, a stream, and a beautiful arch . . . what more could you ask for?  Oh, and we didn't see another hiker the entire day!  Our trek was approximately seven miles (r/t) and took us around five hours . . . it certainly could be shortened if you were to drive a vehicle to the end of the two-track, but if you do, be prepared with an off road vehicle as you will be driving/dropping down off ledges of sandstone.

If you'd like to see this hike through the eyes of the Desert Drifter (and his wife), you can find a link to his video by clicking here.  We highly recommend this episode as he uses his drone to shoot some amazing shots of North Fork of Mill Creek Canyon and Otho Natural Bridge.