- Joined
- Dec 23, 2013
- Messages
- 3,761
A couple of weeks ago @Ugly invited @regehr and I to join him on a hike up the Sawmill Trail in the southern part of the Salt Lake Valley. Ugly said that he had the 4th and the 11th open if we were interested in going. I had plans in Cache Valley for the 4th, but told him that I could join him on the 11th. So yesterday morning I got up bright and early to make the trip down to Sandy and Hidden Valley Park where the trailhead is located, to meet up with Ugly at 6:15 am. This would be my first time meeting and hiking with Ugly.
For some reason, Ugly had picked the hottest day of the year so far with highs in the upper nineties, and while I had never hiked the Sawmill Trail before, Ugly's description of never ending calf and quad burning joy had my interest.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
I arrived at the trailhead around 6:10-ish and shortly thereafter Ugly showed up. We began to hike towards Sawmill Trail when I realized that I had left my water bottle in the fridge at home.
I had packed my frozen water bottle and a bottle of Gatorade, but that wasn't going to be enough, and my frozen bottle would be worthless for the first few hours. So We returned to my car and retrieved a small 16 oz Nalgene bottle that I use to take a drink before the hike and then usaully finish it off after a hike on my drive home. Ugly said that we crossed a creek a few times, so I would just refill that bottle at the crossings. We had our Steripens, but this Nalgene has the small mouth opening, so I just drank without any purification. Wow, what a way to make a first impression.
After feeling a bit silly, we then headed out again from the park on what appears to be an (old?) service road which quickly turns into the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Not long after being on the BST, we arrived at the intersection with the Sawmill Trail. Now once on the trail, it got extremely steep real fast. The trail would take us from near the mouth of Big Willow Canyon, south over the ridge into Little Willow Canyon, before eventually leading us back into Big Willow. At this point it was essentially straight up the canyon to the saddle and a beautiful overlook down into Bells Canyon, with North and South Thunder Mountains across Bells, and Lone Peak above us to our right.
Even with the steep sections of the trail, we found ourselves passing through stands of conifers, and groves of aspen trees that were just delightful. And of course, the canyon being bound on either side by granite made a favorable impression too. With the trail paralleling the creek for a good portion up the canyon, we got hear the rushing of the water as it made its way down to the valley floor. I always love hiking by a stream, creek of river. And being able to hear it rush past us was an added benefit.
Once at the head of the canyon we enjoyed our lunches with spectacular views down into, and across Bells Canyon. The view made the calf burning and dealing with the heat worth it. After taking a bunch of pictures, we returned to the trailhead the way we had come.
Of course, the wildflowers were showing off again with and abundance of Mule's Ears and Taper-tip Onions, as well as others.
Here are some shots of our hike:
![01.jpg 01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110788-0964240bf99dcc4ee732bf27699919fe.jpg)
Leaving the Shoreline Trail the junction with the Sawmill Trail
![02.jpg 02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110789-6573062924a89740e96633a86d5476d5.jpg)
A small meadow of Mule's Ear
![03.jpg 03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110790-69ccd94991006b5bb3b35d878ff2f298.jpg)
Taper-tip Onions
![04.jpg 04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110791-850f2ffb17c2661177ae8cf6338523c4.jpg)
Diamond Clarkia
![05.jpg 05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110792-bef321dba62aec50b8e81a90065a5657.jpg)
View up Little Willow
![06.jpg 06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110793-d8b919489bc808c706eac453aa6d36ed.jpg)
I told Ugly that if he took me on this trail that I'd get @Rockskipper after him!![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![07.jpg 07.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110794-f24ad88592ae6069e88917ff71cf949f.jpg)
Lots of picture taken on this hike
![08.jpg 08.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110795-f0cdda1b005fd6bdc858626268492cd4.jpg)
One of the creek crossings. The logs were really wobbly, and I ended up in the creek
on our return.![Frown :( :(](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![09.jpg 09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110796-ae70967a936863604a7558afc57fd15c.jpg)
The Guardian - an impressive piece of granite on the north side of the Big Willow Canyon
![10.jpg 10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110797-e11572cc2a981216f63b9a4b3f738b68.jpg)
Staring to see some snow on the north slopes of the south ridge
![11.jpg 11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110798-cf12e162c633ee608ba9659254abb08a.jpg)
Just heaven walking through the aspen
![12.jpg 12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110799-177c28c696364a8cb42715a6ba268fea.jpg)
Just can't get enough
![13.jpg 13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110800-a2bbc6c81170a0a59384fad7addb2b94.jpg)
Cascades of Big Willow Creek
![14.jpg 14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110801-02c65b27fe67ab913c146fe7c332e199.jpg)
View west, back down into the valley
![15.jpg 15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110802-e09f6ec4b89c0b5db576627d2f35227a.jpg)
Ugly, heading towards Little Valley
![16.jpg 16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110803-9e2354dbd9468c1791b29032903d1e4c.jpg)
Looking up towards the shoulder of Lone Peak
![17.jpg 17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110804-b380ea5b87f8ec1fdd07cc9f9c536c27.jpg)
Taking the perfect shot
![18.jpg 18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110805-d02f6f6e409500f3d7a8988515ba1bd2.jpg)
More granite in the vicinity of Lone Peak
![15b.jpg 15b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110807-6501a9272c43c9356f5c7b84e1ac660c.jpg)
Ugly, in Little Valley
![19.jpg 19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110806-a2b0cd5c56fb6dd928974a4a3def99ca.jpg)
Approaching the saddle
![20.jpg 20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110808-507f4c5348ded11230696d9b0a3724dc.jpg)
A look down upper Bells Canyon, north towards Broads Fork Twin Peaks
![21.jpg 21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110809-05ffd2a520cd95a627a0e10ee2abcc95.jpg)
Looking across Bells Canyon towards North and South Thunder Mountains
![22.jpg 22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110810-9bfc430031372cb76fe963c0a84a9f4a.jpg)
A peak through the trees at the north side of Lone Peak
![23.jpg 23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110811-f36734b1a16a6e53c227c244f5dc5995.jpg)
Obligatory saddle shot.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![24.jpg 24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110812-ea0f24e6ed86a0a92f75a57e036634f6.jpg)
Heading back down
![25.jpg 25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110813-edf5260d30902d0345931fd563560388.jpg)
Another look down to the valley
![26.jpg 26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110814-2e72daa406808c467cea28ca3062af58.jpg)
Admiring the granite
![27.jpg 27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110815-2916ddafa146cf23e79b06449d64c133.jpg)
More cascading falls on Big Willow Creek
![28.jpg 28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110816-3101c8879d0640310ae24662bef2cb2e.jpg)
I just wanted to take a picture of everything
![29.jpg 29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110817-07504af9cf9921c69f43814a9e216d5b.jpg)
Another look at the Guardian on our way down
![30.jpg 30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110818-3d1d67be175147b5b68dcfeef5c4394d.jpg)
Baneberry - poisonous
![31.jpg 31.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110819-2249a4a71501996a1c8cdb476fb75224.jpg)
Miner's Lettuce - I had never seen these before, and I was surprised that we hadn't noticed them on our way up
![32.jpg 32.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110820-a735da96d2f75c55ba4710a356bd06bc.jpg)
Grand Collomia - I don't believe I've seen this before either
![33.jpg 33.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110821-3eb75e5e4464c7f46527f80c03590d45.jpg)
Getting closer to the valley floor - back in Little Willow Canyon
![34.jpg 34.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110822-eda96a7e0957290a57de38bd1cb26115.jpg)
A lone Mountain Mahogany at the trail's bend
![35.jpg 35.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110823-a6dc6eb20d511960c60a46dc167f15e5.jpg)
Looking north along the Wasatch with Mount Olympus in the distance. It's not often I get a southern shot of Mount Olympus.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![37.jpg 37.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110824-0c674ce34e9fde3e38952189d411ba50.jpg)
Yarrow in the foothills
![38.jpg 38.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110825-efe3b7a920fa6fa712966ea8c6c4cc51.jpg)
The mule's ears had wilted a bit even since this morning on our way up.
Okay @Ugly, time for your side of the story. Be sure and tell them how you had to hike behind a slow, chubby old man. And if I got any of the story wrong, be sure and make corrections, because the heat just might have gotten to me.
Oh, and don't forget to show some of your wonderful pictures too. A great hike, with great company. ![Thumbs Up :thumbsup: :thumbsup:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
Thanks for the invite.
The End.
For some reason, Ugly had picked the hottest day of the year so far with highs in the upper nineties, and while I had never hiked the Sawmill Trail before, Ugly's description of never ending calf and quad burning joy had my interest.
I arrived at the trailhead around 6:10-ish and shortly thereafter Ugly showed up. We began to hike towards Sawmill Trail when I realized that I had left my water bottle in the fridge at home.
Even with the steep sections of the trail, we found ourselves passing through stands of conifers, and groves of aspen trees that were just delightful. And of course, the canyon being bound on either side by granite made a favorable impression too. With the trail paralleling the creek for a good portion up the canyon, we got hear the rushing of the water as it made its way down to the valley floor. I always love hiking by a stream, creek of river. And being able to hear it rush past us was an added benefit.
Once at the head of the canyon we enjoyed our lunches with spectacular views down into, and across Bells Canyon. The view made the calf burning and dealing with the heat worth it. After taking a bunch of pictures, we returned to the trailhead the way we had come.
Of course, the wildflowers were showing off again with and abundance of Mule's Ears and Taper-tip Onions, as well as others.
Here are some shots of our hike:
![01.jpg 01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110788-0964240bf99dcc4ee732bf27699919fe.jpg)
Leaving the Shoreline Trail the junction with the Sawmill Trail
![02.jpg 02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110789-6573062924a89740e96633a86d5476d5.jpg)
A small meadow of Mule's Ear
![03.jpg 03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110790-69ccd94991006b5bb3b35d878ff2f298.jpg)
Taper-tip Onions
![04.jpg 04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110791-850f2ffb17c2661177ae8cf6338523c4.jpg)
Diamond Clarkia
![05.jpg 05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110792-bef321dba62aec50b8e81a90065a5657.jpg)
View up Little Willow
![06.jpg 06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110793-d8b919489bc808c706eac453aa6d36ed.jpg)
I told Ugly that if he took me on this trail that I'd get @Rockskipper after him!
![07.jpg 07.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110794-f24ad88592ae6069e88917ff71cf949f.jpg)
Lots of picture taken on this hike
![08.jpg 08.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110795-f0cdda1b005fd6bdc858626268492cd4.jpg)
One of the creek crossings. The logs were really wobbly, and I ended up in the creek
on our return.
![09.jpg 09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110796-ae70967a936863604a7558afc57fd15c.jpg)
The Guardian - an impressive piece of granite on the north side of the Big Willow Canyon
![10.jpg 10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110797-e11572cc2a981216f63b9a4b3f738b68.jpg)
Staring to see some snow on the north slopes of the south ridge
![11.jpg 11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110798-cf12e162c633ee608ba9659254abb08a.jpg)
Just heaven walking through the aspen
![12.jpg 12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110799-177c28c696364a8cb42715a6ba268fea.jpg)
Just can't get enough
![13.jpg 13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110800-a2bbc6c81170a0a59384fad7addb2b94.jpg)
Cascades of Big Willow Creek
![14.jpg 14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110801-02c65b27fe67ab913c146fe7c332e199.jpg)
View west, back down into the valley
![15.jpg 15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110802-e09f6ec4b89c0b5db576627d2f35227a.jpg)
Ugly, heading towards Little Valley
![16.jpg 16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110803-9e2354dbd9468c1791b29032903d1e4c.jpg)
Looking up towards the shoulder of Lone Peak
![17.jpg 17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110804-b380ea5b87f8ec1fdd07cc9f9c536c27.jpg)
Taking the perfect shot
![18.jpg 18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110805-d02f6f6e409500f3d7a8988515ba1bd2.jpg)
More granite in the vicinity of Lone Peak
![15b.jpg 15b.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110807-6501a9272c43c9356f5c7b84e1ac660c.jpg)
Ugly, in Little Valley
![19.jpg 19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110806-a2b0cd5c56fb6dd928974a4a3def99ca.jpg)
Approaching the saddle
![20.jpg 20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110808-507f4c5348ded11230696d9b0a3724dc.jpg)
A look down upper Bells Canyon, north towards Broads Fork Twin Peaks
![21.jpg 21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110809-05ffd2a520cd95a627a0e10ee2abcc95.jpg)
Looking across Bells Canyon towards North and South Thunder Mountains
![22.jpg 22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110810-9bfc430031372cb76fe963c0a84a9f4a.jpg)
A peak through the trees at the north side of Lone Peak
![23.jpg 23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110811-f36734b1a16a6e53c227c244f5dc5995.jpg)
Obligatory saddle shot.
![24.jpg 24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110812-ea0f24e6ed86a0a92f75a57e036634f6.jpg)
Heading back down
![25.jpg 25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110813-edf5260d30902d0345931fd563560388.jpg)
Another look down to the valley
![26.jpg 26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110814-2e72daa406808c467cea28ca3062af58.jpg)
Admiring the granite
![27.jpg 27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110815-2916ddafa146cf23e79b06449d64c133.jpg)
More cascading falls on Big Willow Creek
![28.jpg 28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110816-3101c8879d0640310ae24662bef2cb2e.jpg)
I just wanted to take a picture of everything
![29.jpg 29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110817-07504af9cf9921c69f43814a9e216d5b.jpg)
Another look at the Guardian on our way down
![30.jpg 30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110818-3d1d67be175147b5b68dcfeef5c4394d.jpg)
Baneberry - poisonous
![31.jpg 31.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110819-2249a4a71501996a1c8cdb476fb75224.jpg)
Miner's Lettuce - I had never seen these before, and I was surprised that we hadn't noticed them on our way up
![32.jpg 32.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110820-a735da96d2f75c55ba4710a356bd06bc.jpg)
Grand Collomia - I don't believe I've seen this before either
![33.jpg 33.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110821-3eb75e5e4464c7f46527f80c03590d45.jpg)
Getting closer to the valley floor - back in Little Willow Canyon
![34.jpg 34.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110822-eda96a7e0957290a57de38bd1cb26115.jpg)
A lone Mountain Mahogany at the trail's bend
![35.jpg 35.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110823-a6dc6eb20d511960c60a46dc167f15e5.jpg)
Looking north along the Wasatch with Mount Olympus in the distance. It's not often I get a southern shot of Mount Olympus.
![37.jpg 37.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110824-0c674ce34e9fde3e38952189d411ba50.jpg)
Yarrow in the foothills
![38.jpg 38.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110825-efe3b7a920fa6fa712966ea8c6c4cc51.jpg)
The mule's ears had wilted a bit even since this morning on our way up.
Okay @Ugly, time for your side of the story. Be sure and tell them how you had to hike behind a slow, chubby old man. And if I got any of the story wrong, be sure and make corrections, because the heat just might have gotten to me.
The End.