butler fork

Recapping the events of last Monday:  While I went back to work, the boys went hiking (lucky boys), doing a trail that I've always wanted to do because every time we drive by the trailhead, there's a bunch of cars there: Butler Fork to Reynolds Peak.  It's actually right near Dog Lake, just a little lower down on Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Paul, heading up to Reynolds Peak in June

They followed the trail up to Dog Lake, encountering snow fairly early on, then walked up the ridge to Reynolds Peak, sort of but not always following the trail because the trail was difficult to follow, due to all the snow.  From the peak, a steep, wide, snow-filled bowl led down towards Dog Lake and H decided that they should glissade down instead of going back the way they came.  It was a little intimidating because it was so steep, but the snow was compacted enough that there wasn't any worry of breaking through and postholing.

Paul, glissading down from Reynolds Peak

They had to bushwhack a little from the bottom of the bowl until they reconnected with the Dog Lake Trail, then followed that trail down and walked the last little bit along Big Cottonwood Canyon Road to get back to the car at the Butler Fork trailhead.

Oh! And I almost forgot the best part: on the way up the canyon, they had to stop for a few moments because a young moose was standing in the road, taking a drink from a puddle.  The guys were able to take a bunch of photos before the moose moved back off into the trees.  I think H must be the moose whisperer, he's seen so many lately!

The moose is loose!