millcreek canyon north

We've been spending a lot of time in Millcreek Canyons lately, it seems.  It's Milton's fault: he likes to hike and in the SLC area, Millcreek Canyon is dog-friendly.

Another pretty day in the Wasatch

Milton and I had done the Elbow Fork/Terraces loop earlier this year; Lambs Canyon is only dog-friendly on the Millcreek side; we'd just done Mt. Aire; and Grandeur Peak is not our favorite.  That left the Big Water/historical trail lollipop we'd done in October of last year (and then prior to that in 2016).  We knew it was long-ish but didn't bother to check the hike stats from before.

Fun out, tongue out

We didn't get as early a start as we should have and had to park down the canyon road a ways in a small overflow below the two paved parking areas.  At the trailhead we duly noted the Forest Service sign about an aggressive black bear in the area and then headed out, taking the Old Red Pine Road trail up the drainage.  We saw a few dogs with hikers and trail runners (the day's dog total would end up being 25) but had the trail to ourselves for most of the time.  Milton seemed to be ranging a little further afield, not doubt distracted by all the dog and critter smells.  But he still came when called and would come back to check on us regularly.

Field of sunflowers up on the ridge

When we got to the ridge dividing the Wasatch Front (SLC side) and the Wasatch Back (Park City side), the Heber Valley was hazy, obscured with drifting wildfire smoke.  We turned onto the Great Western Trail and started climbing towards Desolation Lake.  Here we encountered a couple of MTBers and some trail runners; this trail is so much rockier that I can't imagine riding it is all that much fun.

I love the rose color of these paintbrushes

Before we got to Desolation Lake, we turned right onto the historical trail (still unnamed and unmarked) and quickly descended into the drainage.  We saw only one hiker, loaded down with a heavy pack and looking for a quiet place to camp.  The last vestiges of the summer wildflowers spotted the meadows with faded color.  It was quiet and pretty.  And Milton had a blast chasing birds.

So.  Tired.

We kept heading down-canyon when we met back up with the Big Water/GWT trail.  This section is always longer than I remember but shaded and pleasant to walk.  A final turn down the steep and dusty Dog Lake trail - with lots of dogs and their people - and then we were down.  Milton would have kept going and going and going ... but when we got back to the car (and took his harness, now filthy after just two hikes, off), he zonked out immediately.  Since he runs at least 1.5 miles further than we hike, this was his longest hike to date.

Hike stats:  10.03 miles; 3:13 / 3.1 m.p.h. moving; 3:48 / 2.6 m.p.h. overall; 1,880' climbing