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!

 

Cottonwood Basin Trail

We've been trying to piece trails together that would allow us to circle the Tushar Mountains all above treeline.  Our plan for this segment was to hike out of Lake Stream Basin, pass through Cottonwood Basin and end up at the Alunite Trailhead.  It was a good plan until we met elk hunters who had a limited entry tag.  Not wanting to spoil their hunt, we cut our hike short at the ridge that separates Lake Stream Basin from Cottonwood Basin.  While not being able to complete this section, the hike allowed us to view the beautiful Cottonwood Basin.  It won't be long until we return to complete this trail!  

When we got back to our 4Runner we decided to go find what looks like a "waterfall" on Google Earth.  We were totally stunned to discover that Lake Stream reappears as a gently cascading waterfall out of a cliff below Puffer Lake.  How is it possible we have never heard or seen pictures of this gorgeous spot?  It capped off another good day in the Tushars!

Lake Stream begins in this meadow below Mt. Holly 

Not sure why the "20,"  but this is a year we will all remember

Trail 219 will take us to the Cottonwood Basin

I wish I had Chippers energy . . . he flys up the trails!

1½ miles later we reached the saddle between Lake Creek and Cottonwood Basins . . .
That's Mt. Holly (11,999) on the left

What a great lunch spot with amazing views of Cottonwood Basin . . .
Alunite trailhead is on the distant ridgeline just to the right of the center peak

Although we didn't complete our hike, we enjoyed our time here . . . we will return! 

Heading back down . . . City Creek Peak (11,165) can be seen (center) in the distance 

Chipper had his fill of fresh spring water today!

  The waterfalls of Lake Stream . . . what a beautiful spot!

 We have hiked along Lake Stream on previous hikes . . . 
 We had no idea this idyllic spot existed . . . it's a hidden gem!