Aug 29 - Walking to Park City (from Millcreek Canyon)

Beautiful morning. I have plans to try a new trail in Millcreek Canyon today. Its the Mill Creek to Park City Overlook. It's 5.2 miles (1177 ft) round-trip to the ridgeline (overlook above Park City) and another 1.4 miles and 800 ft to Murdock Peak (which is my goal today).

I've only hiked in Millcreek Canyon 3 times (Grandeur Peak twice and White Fir Pass). Both trails are accessible during the winter. Today's hike is beyond the summer gate (i.e., closed to cars during the winter) and at the end of the road. The trailhead is Upper Big Water Trailhead. Elevation is 7623ft.

The drive up was good. Hard to see because of the morning sun. But I did have a deer run across the road in front of the car ahead of me. She was in full-stride. I slowed down to get ready for others, but fortunately none came.

The road after the gate gets narrower. But it's a beautiful thick aspen, fir, pine forest; with lots of under story plants. Pretty moist from all the trees and there's plenty of streams and water holes.

The road gets even narrower once I get to Lower Big Water parking. But its not much further to the Upper parking. It's 9:30 and I get one of the last 2 parking spots (I wasn't expecting the crowd on a Friday; all the other trailhead parking along the road was empty; this is definitely the place to be today.)

There are 2 THs here. My book says to leave the Mill Creek/Red Pine Rd TH but the name does not match either TH sign. So I take the trail to the East and in a few moments, the trail splits and I go left following the Red Pine Rd Trail (yea!).

I follow a creek for a little bit before the trail splits again. Not sure which way to go but decide to go left as it was uphill and I knew I needed to go up.

Really hard to enjoy the trail with the sun in my eyes (at least the part in front of me) but I'm scanning as I pass. Don't think I'll see any wildlife besides chipmunks and squirrels because it's later and people have already been through.

Although its late in the season, there are still a bunch of flowers blooming (maybe not in the same numbers as several weeks ago but still some blooming): Geraniums, mints, goldenrods, paintbrush, a few lupine and lots of yellow composites and asters. It looks beautiful. Even the fading plants in their orange/red colors and their seed heads looks great. Pretty impressive scenery -- I can only image what it looked like in July and early Aug. (Note to self: Remember to come earlier next year.)

I finally make it to a break in the forest to a little wet meadow. Not much blooming here but there is a little (approx) 6ft X 5ft pond in the middle. It has small willows around the southern edge. This looks like a great spot for moose! But no animals, however, there are a couple of animal trails leading to the little water hole.

The trail weaves in and out of the forest, then across a cliff --- I can see the Great Western Trail about 100 ft below. Along this cliff, I spot a few bright red flowers. I risk sliding down to the Great Western to take a photo only to find a few more plants on the uphill side of the trail (always good to pay attention to your surroundings).

Lots of Scrub Oak along this portion of the trail. I look up and can see the ridge but I still have trail to go.

The Fireweed is all but bloomed out. All that's remaining are the seed pods. I was expecting little seeds inside the pods; instead "fluffies" -- like milkweed; the seeds spread by the wind. I learned something today.

I finally come to a bigger meadow. There are aspen trees on the uphill side, followed by more meadow and the round mountain tops. Much different than Big & Little Cottonwood's jagged, rocky tops.

I come across a couple more meadows some totally yellow in large patches of fall blooming flowers. It's really pretty.

The final meadow has a stream running down by the trail. The yellow Monkeyflowers are still in bloom in/near the water. Also there are more Yellow flowers and Asters blooming here. I see some Frits flying.

After 2.2 miles (according to my book - I wish I had my GPS today), I arrive at a trail intersection, south continues on the Great Western into Big Cottonwood Canyon, East continues to the overlook and Murdock Mt. I go east (left) and I'm immediately at a viewpoint over Park City. I can see the ski lifts below. It's a hazy morning view though. I follow the trail but it starts going downhill towards Park City. I wasn't expecting that. My book doesn't mention that - it just shows a trail that curves. Hmmm. There's a big mountain to my left - probably Murdock -- but it seems to early. I'm really not sure if this is right trail -- definitely NOT matching my book. So I turn back and head South. I'll give myself an hour or so.

I dive into a thick conifer forest. The trail is pretty steep and has deep ruts - probably from the cyclists grooves and snow melt over the years. I finally break out of the thick forest to an aspen grove with lots of mints blooming. Quite pretty.

Then I come to another overlook onto Park City. I can see I-80 far below and the interchange with I-40. There is a peak to my left with lots of yellow flowers.

I decide to follow the animal trail to the top. There's some decent views going up.

In some spots, I'm knee-deep in flowers. The views going up are pretty incredible -- even behind me.

The top is covered in yellow flowers with great views onto Park City area.

There are butterflies too: Sulphers, Frits, Commas, a Skipper; already nectaring on the feast of flowers. I think this will be my Mt Murdock for the day.

But its time to head back down.

Now what to do? Do I continue on the trail or head back? It's only 11:00am, I'll go a little further.

The trail continues uphill to yet another viewpoint. Before I get there, the landscape changes to sagebrush and there are tons of Red Paintbrush blooming among the sagebrush. Looks great!!

Also, to the south, I can see the Big Cottonwood jagged peaks. I look behind me and its in open view down the canyon to the SL valley. I think that's the Great Salt Lake. Amazing!

What a wise choice to continue!!

I get to the viewpoint and its a mountain side of yellow. One of the most amazing flower blooms I've seen here. Maybe because its all one color -- but impressive!

The viewpoint has its own trail that continues but it goes downhill. I go back to the main trail. This goes on as well, another little uphill climb. Hmmmm. I have know idea how far I've travelled but I've been going 2.5 hours. I could continue but since I don't know where I'm heading, I decide to turn back. No regrets, I've seen some wonderful views!

So back I go, thru the aspen grove, past the 1st viewpoint (and my Mt Murdock), and to the thick forest. There some bright green moss in here. And in moss are some wintergreen plants w/ flowers - lots of them.

And many of different types mushrooms.

I meet 3 cyclists and ask where they rode from -- Big Cottonwood - Guardsman Pass, I was heading that way. I also asked about where Mt Murdock and they weren't sure. They continued on (as did I but bikes are faster especially downhill). When I got down the hill, they were there with 2 other bikers. The one told me that I was originally headed in the direction of Mt Murdock but there is a downhill section first. Note that for next time. (Honestly, I think I had the better walk today anyway.)

They headed down to Park City and I headed West back to the trailhead. I can enjoys the views now since the sun's not in my eyes. There's more bflys out now; I see a couple of Coppers and another Skipper.

I also see a bird of prey in the trees. Unfortunately my camera wouldn't focus on him -- too many branches.

The commas I've been seeing are definitely very fresh and bright Hoary Commas as one finally stops. The Skipper looks like a Juba and the Sulphers - Clouded. I also saw 1 Common Checkered Skipper on the way back.

Just before getting to the parking lot I see a Hoary Comma alit on a piece of tall grass.

Great day -- what took me so long to get here?! Will be back!