upper millcreek and oowah lake

 Things cooled off in a big way overnight and Sunday, although rather cloudy, was very comfortable in the high 70s.  It was considerably cooler where we hiked, however: up in the La Sal mountains.  On prior drives along the loop road, we'd noticed a trailhead sign and parking area perched on the edge of Millcreek Canyon, at the head of the canyon where the creek comes out of the mountains.  We'd been hoping to explore the upper reaches of Millcreek Canyon and were hoping that this might prove a good entry point.

Truth in advertising (the more you know)

It wasn't.  We clambered down the very steep trail to a couple of hiking areas, where climbers' protection (spikes, carabiners, etc.) shone in the morning sun from the cliff walls.  There really wasn't any hiking to be done, however, and when we attempted bushwhacking downstream, the narrow canyon soon got choked with boulders and fallen trees, not ideal especially with Milton who tends to leap before he looks.

Totally shaded - great for summer climbing

We weren't far from the road to Oowah Lake (Piute name origin - it certainly isn't so spectacular that one would go, "Oo - ah!" upon seeing it).  The Forest Service campground (and road) are still closed because of snow so we were able to park at the gate and walk up the road to the little lake - not the most glamorous of hikes, but enough for all of us to get some exercise.  The dirt road was in good shape and it climbed steadily the whole way up.

Icy cold, right out of the mountains

There was some pretty decent entertainment too: Milton started up three turkeys and we saw two hawks and a partridge.  We also were surrounded by about fifteen hounds at one point, out doing training with their hunter-owners.  We heard them howling and baying as they crashed through the woods; it was a little disconcerting until we figured out what they were.  When they got to us, we had Milt on his leash so he wouldn't run off with them.  They were good dogs: they gave him a sniff and then kept on with their hunt, except for one friendly puppy who tagged along with us for a while before rejoining his pack.

Ice not entirely out yet

Hike stats:  6.95 miles; 2:26 hiking time/2.8 m.p.h. moving average; 3:01 total time/2.3 overall average; 1,250 feet of elevation