Well I decide to get to Dog Lake today (no blisters, please). Sunny day -- driving down Big Cottonwood Canyon, there's lots of brown (not white snow or even dirty snow) especially on the south facing slopes. And that's not surprising, no snow for 3 weeks, temps in the 30s, sunny and just overall lack of snow all winter (there's only one ski resort reporting a 60in base, all are less). I'm figuring I was smart to not bring the snowshoes.
Start the trail, hardpacked -- perfect. Its an uphill climb, moving right along, get through the cabins (about 1/4-1/2mile in)... and the trail is not hard-packed anymore. :( Just crusty; I can walk along the top and then sink into the snow -- its not too deep here (a few inches) but not something I'm interested in doing for another 6miles. So I'm abandoning this hike (and lesson learned) :).
Since I'm almost to the end of the canyon anyway, I decide to go to the Nordic Center. Only a few people in the parking lot and guess what, I rent snowshoes (always bring the shoes!!!) and hit their trails.
Start going left (clockwise) around Silver Lake. The lake is covered by snow and its totally flat and perfectly untouched except in only a couple spots where a small animals ventured onto the lake. There are mountains behind the lake. (Last year there were skiiers in those mountains but no one today -- though its a workday....)
On my way around the lake, I meet a group of retirees finishing up there snowshoe adventure. Very friendly folks -- one had a penguin ski hat which was really cute.
I get 1/2 way around the lake and take the Cabin Loop Trail. Its more wooded now --- lots of small animals tracks --- I was hoping for some moose tracks but I'm sure they're down in the lower elevations.
I weave my way through the summer cabins and hook up with the Creek Bottom Trail --- this trail heads downhill towards the Solitude Village. Now I'm really in the woods -- can't see or hear any other snowshoers/X-country skiiers. Just me following the trail (and the purple trail markers) through some heavy woods.
I'm seeing lots (and hearing lots) of squirrels. And I'm also seeing what their eating this winter as there are piles of torn apart Douglas Fir Pine Cones. Just the scales, no seeds. Lots of piles!
I see one squirrel sun-bathing in a branch.
Lots of cool shadows in here.
And the birds are chirping. I hear a woodpecker but I just can't find him.
The trail comes out to a road (or wide trail). There a picnic bench and electrical wires over the trail. I must be almost to the village so its time to turn back and start the uphill journey and backtrack to the Silver Lake Trail.
I see the woodpecker on the way back. And some chickadees.
Thought about heading down the Solitude Trail/Redman Loop but my feet were getting cold so its time to head for Center.
I wasn't the Dog Lake hike but it was a fun 2 hours!
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