breaking in

 Monsoon season has finally gotten down to it in northern Utah: on Saturday, we got a great midday full of rain, where the humidity skyrocketed and the temperatures plummeted.  It was delightful.  And when we got up Sunday morning, it was still fairly cool as we headed off for another Millcreek Canyon hike with the dog: returning to Grandeur Peak.

Sulfur buckwheat

We weren't quite as early to start this time but still, despite the popularity of the Grandeur Peak trail, we saw just a handful of people on our way up: three trail runners, one dog and one hiker who were on their way down already, and a couple with a dog who we passed on their way up.  On our way back down, the floodgates had opened and there were lots of hikers, runners and dogs pushing for the summit.  Milton did great, listening well to H and staying close, and not paying much attention to any of the other dogs.  He did tend to stop right in the middle of the trail as hikers approached, staring them down; people just laughed and one girl asked if he was the official greeter.

At the summit, waiting for snacks

Make no mistake, though, this trail is UP.  I have such a mental block in my head about Millcreek Canyon, that it somehow has easier hiking than the Cottonwood Canyons because it's a smaller canyon.  But it is precisely because it is smaller that Millcreek Canyon's trails are so tough: they are steep.  Grandeur Peak has a lot of switchbacks - most shaded, at least for the bottom half of the trail - but there are some very steep sections as well.  That last push from the saddle to the peak is brutal.  And because there are so many trees (and because it had rained and rained the day before), it was super humid.

New boots: I am going to get these filthy

I was breaking in brand new boots: Topo Trailventure 2s, purchased two days prior at REI.  It was a successful outing: they're super light with wide toe boxes and thick soles, like trail runners with more padding and protection.  I was a little concerned that the treads weren't robust enough (I am very hard on shoes for some reason) but they gripped the steep dirt and rocks well.  I love the bright, crazy colors too - although I suspect they won't stay bright for too long.

Millcreek Canyon is the only place we've 

seen rattlesnakes so far (but not today)

Hike stats: 6.37 miles; 2.36 hours/2.4 m.p.h. moving; 3:13 hrs./2.0 m.p.h. overall; 2,450' elevation