Cottonwood Canyon Trail

Fall is our favorite time of year!  So, why not combine two of our favorite Fall things - hiking in the Tushar's and viewing the Fall colors?  With that in mind, we decided to finish another section of the Skyline Trail by hiking a three-mile portion (6-miles out and back) of the Cottonwood Canyon Trail.  Last year, we hiked into Cottonwood Basin from the south using the Lake Stream Trail, but had not completed the northern portion that takes one to the Alunite Trailhead.  It turned out to be a great plan and puts us one more leg closer to completing our circumference of the Tushar Mountains.  Needless to say, but the Fall foliage provided a very nice accent for a great hike!

On our way to the trailhead, we ran into fog near Bear Valley Junction on HWY 89 . . .
Not something you see. in Utah. everyday!

Driving up Cottonwood Creek Road . . . the aspens are changing . . . it looks like we're in for a treat!
(Peak 12002 is on the right . . . we hiked this peak two-weeks ago with Tom)

We parked at Kelsey Creek and walked FS 115 to the trailhead

If it weren't for this sign, we'd never know there was an actual trail here

 Cottonwood Canyon Trail zig zags around the southern base of the Delano-Brigham Ridge . . . 
For the most part, it stays at tree-line and provides spectacular unobstructed views!

This grouse blends in well with his surroundings . . .  he probably thinks we can't see him!

Further up the trail we spotted some deer . . . they kept a wary eye on us!

Mount Holly looks so different from the east side . . .
Three-weeks ago we were hiking and picking currants on the south side

We were surprised to see a few Sierra Larkspur still in bloom so late in the year

We have arrived at Cottonwood Basin . . .
This is where we stopped last year when we hiked the Lake Stream Trail coming from the south
(That's Delano Peak - 12,173 ft - in the very center of the picture) 

This beautiful basin gets it's name from Cottonwood Creek

We found some interesting rocks to sit on while we enjoyed a snack break

We love Fall and the aspens were just about perfect  

Looking back at Mount Holly, as we get near the Alunite trailhead

Although we gained 1,600 ft total ascent over the 3-miles,
for the most part, it was very gradual and didn't seem like that much!

Back on the road and heading to Kelsey Creek where we parked

We had fun exploring the Alunite Mine ruins on our way back out to the main road (FS 126)

The mine was in use from 1915-1930 
Alunite is an ore rich in aluminum & potash (aluminum sulfate)

Remnants of an old mining shack that is being encroached on by aspens

The aspens were so pretty, we decided to follow FS 126 to Marysvale

Almost down off the mountain and just about to come out at Miner's Park . . .
What a great day it has been!

Well, we're one-step closer to finishing our journey around the base of the Tushar Mountains . . . we still have two more sections to complete:  Alunite Trail to the Pocket and the Pipeline Trail.  It probably won't happen this year, but who's in a hurry!  It will mean two more great hikes in these favorite mountains of ours!

 

Skyline Trail

It was time to complete our last segment of the Skyline Trail, in the Tushar Mountains, that we started in 2018.  This trail is approximately 18 miles long from it's start at Big Flat (just south of Puffer Lake) to where it ends at Blue Lake (directly beneath Mt. Baldy).  We had completed all but a four-mile portion.  Today's plan was to park at the Eagle Point Ski Resort, hike up a ski run and then cross country to the Skyline Trail.  From here we would work our way northward to Big John Flat and then car shuttle back to the Ski Resort.  It was a fantastic plan and made for an enjoyable afternoon hike. We love it when a plan comes together!

We parked at the Eagle Point Ski Resort's Skyline Lodge . . . 
Once through the back country gate, we headed towards Mt. Holly . . . 
this path intersected with the Skyline Trail in about a half mile

Soon we were traversing through grassy meadows below the skyline of the Tushars 

Allison was excited to see these colorful Paintbrushes and Asters so late in the summer 

We crossed over this little stream near the base of Mt. Holly (11,999)

It was peaceful walking . . . only an occasional hawk was in sight
(Click on the picture for a panoramic view)

Monkey Flowers grow near water or marshy areas 

                                                    

As you can see, the trail is suitable for just about everyone

Merchant Creek flows through this meadow . . . it almost looks like a golf course!

Chipper got his fill of cold clear water!
Next time we'll bring a water filter so we can try it, too!

The Mineral Mountains can be seen in the distance

                                             

Parry's Mountain Gentian were blooming despite the lack of moisture

            

In between the meadows there were some rocky sections

We chose this beautiful spot for our lunch break . . .
we are below the ridge to Delano Peak (12,173)

Cushion Buckwheat is a common wildflower that comes in a variety of colors 

Allison spotted this High Brown Fritillary fluttering between the rocks

The Tushar Skyline will soon disappear out of sight as we head north 

We had some great views of the Tushars today . . .
soon we will head back into the forest on our way to Big John Flat

Poison Creek Loop Trail

Over the last several years we have been trying to complete the 23-mile long Skyline National Recreation Trail.  We had two short sections (each about three miles in length) left to hike.  With temperatures in the 100° range in Hurricane, it didn't take much to convince us that today would be a good time to knock out one of those segments!

We ended up doing a very nice six mile loop, rather than an out and back.  We started on the Blue Lake Trail (#225 - Skyline segment) by going north two and a half miles, then southwest three miles on Shelly Baldy Creek Trail (#172) and then south on the Merchant Creek Trail (#58) for half a mile.  This lead us to Big John Flat where we ended our loop hike.

What a gorgeous route!  There were numerous springs and streams and of course beautiful scenery in the cool Tushars!  It won't be long until we're back to complete our one last segment of the Skyline National Recreation Trail.

The starting point for our loop hike is a short segment of the Skyline Trail
that we had yet to complete.

Not too far into our trek we crossed Poison Creek . . . 

Makes us wonder how the stream got its name . . . 
possibly something to do with mining??

It has been a dry year, but you wouldn't know it by looking at the stream flow . . .
Poison Creek starts high up on Delano Peak

Chipper loved drinking from the streams . . . 
they kept him hydrated the entire hike

This looks like the perfect fishing hole . . .
Not sure why Kent didn't "wet his line" on this little beauty??

Colorful fungus growing on a deadfall

Silvery Lupine

Walking along the trail on this steep hillside made us thankful for the trail!

We came to a clearing that gave us a nice view of Delano Peak (12,173)
Delano Peak is the highest mountain in the Tushars . . . yet one of the easiest to climb!

Here is Delano Peak and Mt. Holly (11,900)

Looking southwest towards Beaver Canyon

Shelly Baldy (11,321) lies off to the northwest of our trail

Pretty purple Larkspur (Delphinium) growing along the trail

We are now on trail #172 heading southwest for Merchant Creek
Along the way, we crossed quite a few bridges . . . sturdy enough for a horse

It was surprising how many meadows we hiked through

We enjoyed a little break at the start of Shelly Baldy Creek 

We sure weren't expecting to find these old beaver ponds . . .
just another reason to get out there and explore

What a pretty spot . . .  a reflection pond in the forest!

Chipper had a blast running through the ponds and mud!

At last, Merchant Creek . . . Kent was excited to fish here . . .
he quickly changed his mind . . . Yikes, mosquitoes!

Who said, "Kent can't dance?!"
Looks like he is doing the Mosquito Hip Hop!

You can't see the mosquitoes in this picture . . . 
but believe me, we saw them, we felt them and . . . we ran!

We stopped for one last peek at the meadow before heading back into the trees . . .
and those mosquitoes found us once again!
A half mile later we were made it back to our vehicle . . . 
hurrying to get in and away from the "swarm"