mountain aire

We think that the weather has finally turned for the better and this weekend was the proof of it: hot, dry and largely cloudless.  On the negative side, I think we're finally going to have to turn on our sprinkler system.  On the plus side, days like Saturday and Sunday for hiking.

Saturday mid-morning we drove up to Millcreek Canyon. Although the canyon itself is National Forest, the access road is maintained by Salt Lake County and there is a $3.00/vehicle daily fee. Except not this weekend: Saturday was National Trails Day and in honor of same, Millcreek Canyon was free for the whole weekend. We drove up the canyon as far as we could - mindful of all the runners, walkers and bicyclists also heading up - and found a parking spot across just down from the Maple Grove picnic area. The upper canyon is closed from November 1 through July 1due to snow, so we had to hoof it on the road for 1.5 miles before we even got to the trailhead. The incline is steady but not too steep, and the road is shady, so we looked at the extra three miles as bonus, easy-on-the-knees exercise.

Looking south-east-ish from the summit of Mount Aire

The Elbow Fork trail up Mount Aire was where we were headed, a 3.8 mile (not counting the walk on the road) out-and-back.  We followed a small creek up a forested canyon for the first mile or so; it was rather steep and surprisingly humid - we were sweating like we were back East!  After reaching a ridgeline saddle, however, the trail was exposed and drier.

 What's with all the dang clouds?

We turned right from the saddle and followed the switchbacks up to the summit of Mount Aire, then continued along the sandstone ridge to its end.  The views to the north, east up Parley's Canyon and south to the jagged peaks rising over Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons were spectacular.

Apres:  Full Suspension pale ale at the Porcupine to celebrate eight months of living in Utah!