- Joined
- Dec 23, 2013
- Messages
- 3,761
My last hike of spring, and my last training hike for the Wyoming Range next week. I had something happen on this hike that has never happened to the Scatman before, but it takes place at the end of the report, so you will have to bear with me.
Today's hike was to the summit of Mount Aire from the Millcreek Canyon side. The road up upper Millcreek hasn't opened yet, so we had a couple miles of road walking to do before we reached the official trailhead at Elbow Fork. It was 47 degrees at the trailhead, and a nasty wind was blowing down canyon, so the Scatster froze his you know whats off on the walk to the trailhead.
Cameras used:
- Canon EOS 50D
- Canon PoweShot SD700 IS - My favorite point and shoot
- Canon PowerShot SD100
- Canon Powershot SX730 HS
- Canon Poweshot SX720 HS
![01.jpg 01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122111-d684d13fb7decd4749aea4391c07f75b.jpg)
Plenty of cars at the parking lot at 7:15 am. We'll be heading up past the closed gate.
![02.jpg 02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122112-7b2aee4667365bc995e107181deb4cd8.jpg)
Keep that moose image in mind
![03.jpg 03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122113-1b633d089c0088fe351b280de98cb0c8.jpg)
Millcreek is ripping
![04.jpg 04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122114-a89a3c058ae3947e0b17f80a37eb14f3.jpg)
My partners in crime for this hike
![05.jpg 05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122115-1ec9d99b36f17592227c20a2c2844b28.jpg)
![06.jpg 06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122116-596b8aca27488724a5611f4c5a84d9fa.jpg)
More Millcreek
![07.jpg 07.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122117-f0cfa5cbd49a68d159da829d47168507.jpg)
Finally reaching the trailhead
![08.jpg 08.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122118-40224cf1f05576d2935c69fe909db92d.jpg)
Killer Tree?
![09.jpg 09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122119-7b8691ad8bb2ff306e50b7b94e31bd76.jpg)
Closed! Does that mean "closed" like a carcass dump in Yellowstone?
![10.jpg 10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122120-a8c57bfa960da3396a36b9f4f16560a0.jpg)
Small cascades on Elbow Fork
![11.jpg 11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122121-808dd79d5716578096c5e0cd1f221930.jpg)
Pfft! A mere inconvenience.
![12.jpg 12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122122-4aa8796201b6f77b670204c319be01ad.jpg)
A chubby Scatman probably caused this.![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![13.jpg 13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122123-6b0cb352ee858d60f38f54a708e3a540.jpg)
Let's see if my flower shots are any better than last weeks. Strawberry.
![14.jpg 14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122124-f727de4d4d77e5e8b09076c7191f3593.jpg)
Bluebells
![15.jpg 15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122125-859c13d387971aabf28dd5c0a63d2bb6.jpg)
A leopard slug
![16.jpg 16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122126-9afd2865c750f64694b6a8ac2b8062b3.jpg)
For some reason, the Forest Service has cleared the brush from both sides of the trail. This meant there were few blooming shrubs
to take pictures of.
this clearing of the vegetation gave the trail a completely different feel.
![17.jpg 17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122127-9434e9b078e4279ccd0c00798456e5b5.jpg)
Reaching the aspen
![18.jpg 18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122128-cd37c27e6c266a6003119303db90b27c.jpg)
Solomon's seal
![19.jpg 19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122129-22d379706cc8b2b31e2c1205ce2f5c77.jpg)
Wide open now after they cleared the brush. The mule ears have yet to bloom
![20.jpg 20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122130-b923ffbaeb111be4793ad2cb11de9391.jpg)
Groundsel
![21.jpg 21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122131-8c7a1bef7c07d917947f8125a403e103.jpg)
Mount Aire
![22.jpg 22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122132-c0bf6f620af686b188a1ad381d13649e.jpg)
Woodland Star
![23.jpg 23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122133-fc1b757b906267ec3dbfad024b0966ed.jpg)
Gobblers Knob and Mount Raymond across Millcreek Canyon
![24.jpg 24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122134-a4185d33c6adb5a55a522766f291af43.jpg)
The north side of Mount Raymond
![25.jpg 25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122135-bea8ee69e109764dcfbca6c05db13ffa.jpg)
American vetch
![26.jpg 26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122136-7cf160378c60dadd85ecab17a187f8b1.jpg)
The arrowleaf balsamroot still have some life left in them on Aire.
![27.jpg 27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122137-752ff9a67fb97f2c11b0d49873fd71d5.jpg)
Utah Serviceberry
![28.jpg 28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122138-7eee738f67f03752f761932c17d6b4d4.jpg)
More woodland star
![29.jpg 29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122139-00cc499de1c46eee844d1631aabd8637.jpg)
Gobblers Knob across the canyon
![30.jpg 30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122140-6346e9fc2104c77816013afe11ac8bf8.jpg)
Switchback
![31.jpg 31.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122141-1b062ece1e49748d161b6b0fb5740ddb.jpg)
From Mount Olympus to the west, to Gobblers Knob to the east
![32.jpg 32.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122142-bb8004b4eb68b225bea0190482f1e51e.jpg)
Patch of starwort
![33.jpg 33.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122143-c2eeae6a80795bb6a258a7e17dcf3192.jpg)
On the last switchback, looking up at the summit of Mount Aire
![34.jpg 34.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122144-9792b95ac8820221a16b617a884dd46d.jpg)
Grandeur Peak to the west, at the end of the ridge. Where are my sunglasses @Rockskipper?
![35.jpg 35.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122145-8a7ccb45f6880dc67223376fa45e6200.jpg)
Katie, approaching the summit
![36.jpg 36.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122146-6b4a85482acb05e70a0c89f00755d5c2.jpg)
High enough now to get a good view of Broads Fork Twin Peaks, beyond Mount Raymond
![37.jpg 37.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122148-bc23fc6c899ae28dd77ba754f05f2f63.jpg)
Summit shot
![38.jpg 38.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122149-170db9e0c06c6e2979b83e82f08960ad.jpg)
Mount Olympus, with the snowcapped Oquirrhs in the distance
![39.jpg 39.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122150-593881318dff5d90e60bd107419c5904.jpg)
Mount Wire - on the middle ridge, with Frary Peak in the far distance
![40.jpg 40.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122151-7f55f7d33e4329ff5947ff8f8787d431.jpg)
![41.jpg 41.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122152-ecfdaf033974a859252a68b10092a543.jpg)
A swallowtail on the summit
![42.jpg 42.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122153-1dce2d1cdd50cfcfe7847a573ab938dd.jpg)
Duskywing
![43.jpg 43.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122154-95eae99b1e0bc6095b42bf345d34762b.jpg)
Larkspur
![44.jpg 44.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122155-c741625536bdbd49b42e211d9adf7eea.jpg)
California Tortoiseshell
![45.jpg 45.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122156-7e9171a8725150713a8dc1eb0b38df10.jpg)
Geranium
![46.jpg 46.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122157-3b88bfdcd9ea3b11235c878f80b5c0f5.jpg)
Another duskywing
![47.jpg 47.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122158-c470dcdcd985926ee5c92710569e757a.jpg)
Rest time!
On the way down.
![48.jpg 48.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122159-a1356f67cd778d133c2ebb47916cf0c1.jpg)
Another shot of Millcreek at Elbow Fork
![49.jpg 49.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122160-3218d7187c5efca8fedeada8deb707b8.jpg)
And then this. I was walking down the other side of the road, when Sheila and Katie started yelling at me and pointing. The growth
along the road actually comes out over the road a bit in places, so I stopped and looked around the shrub in front of me, and lo-and-
behold there was a moose in front of me standing on the edge of the road. So I crossed the road and started taking a few pictures.
![50.jpg 50.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122161-4724871506e5c9fa2fe159f9d54676b7.jpg)
Looking at me.
![51.jpg 51.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122162-c373964b1fa856551e2548b432a5ed2c.jpg)
Beginning to walk east, up the road.
![52.jpg 52.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122163-1ef5269cffaf698b7f58265bbe862ee8.jpg)
Seeming a bit agitated as it crosses the road towards me.
And then it charged!
I did the around the tree ploy to get away from it.
![53.jpg 53.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122164-a7b545241399592b39b637c5179bddfd.jpg)
Looking back at me as I took another picture after the charge
![54.jpg 54.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122165-9e4f22d10fadc9204ae80a57b93c735d.jpg)
That'll get your heart racing!
The first time that I have ever been charged by a moose. See what is in store for you in the
Thorofare @TractorDoc.![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![55.jpg 55.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122166-3611d55bcf4958b82b547299ee6bd2fa.jpg)
A painted lady
![56.jpg 56.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122167-690ed72dc98debd2782dc0a65cc81aa4.jpg)
Back at the gate
![57.jpg 57.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122168-52949a47f0ba4d89ea640b20f31d2c6d.jpg)
Grandeur Peak, viewed from the parking lot
![58.jpg 58.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122169-6c024854899769bf65e9d5804c8e87d0.jpg)
Back at the Sube.
The End.
Today's hike was to the summit of Mount Aire from the Millcreek Canyon side. The road up upper Millcreek hasn't opened yet, so we had a couple miles of road walking to do before we reached the official trailhead at Elbow Fork. It was 47 degrees at the trailhead, and a nasty wind was blowing down canyon, so the Scatster froze his you know whats off on the walk to the trailhead.
Cameras used:
- Canon EOS 50D
- Canon PoweShot SD700 IS - My favorite point and shoot
- Canon PowerShot SD100
- Canon Powershot SX730 HS
- Canon Poweshot SX720 HS
![01.jpg 01.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122111-d684d13fb7decd4749aea4391c07f75b.jpg)
Plenty of cars at the parking lot at 7:15 am. We'll be heading up past the closed gate.
![02.jpg 02.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122112-7b2aee4667365bc995e107181deb4cd8.jpg)
Keep that moose image in mind
![03.jpg 03.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122113-1b633d089c0088fe351b280de98cb0c8.jpg)
Millcreek is ripping
![04.jpg 04.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122114-a89a3c058ae3947e0b17f80a37eb14f3.jpg)
My partners in crime for this hike
![05.jpg 05.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122115-1ec9d99b36f17592227c20a2c2844b28.jpg)
![06.jpg 06.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122116-596b8aca27488724a5611f4c5a84d9fa.jpg)
More Millcreek
![07.jpg 07.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122117-f0cfa5cbd49a68d159da829d47168507.jpg)
Finally reaching the trailhead
![08.jpg 08.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122118-40224cf1f05576d2935c69fe909db92d.jpg)
Killer Tree?
![09.jpg 09.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122119-7b8691ad8bb2ff306e50b7b94e31bd76.jpg)
Closed! Does that mean "closed" like a carcass dump in Yellowstone?
![10.jpg 10.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122120-a8c57bfa960da3396a36b9f4f16560a0.jpg)
Small cascades on Elbow Fork
![11.jpg 11.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122121-808dd79d5716578096c5e0cd1f221930.jpg)
Pfft! A mere inconvenience.
![12.jpg 12.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122122-4aa8796201b6f77b670204c319be01ad.jpg)
A chubby Scatman probably caused this.
![13.jpg 13.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122123-6b0cb352ee858d60f38f54a708e3a540.jpg)
Let's see if my flower shots are any better than last weeks. Strawberry.
![14.jpg 14.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122124-f727de4d4d77e5e8b09076c7191f3593.jpg)
Bluebells
![15.jpg 15.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122125-859c13d387971aabf28dd5c0a63d2bb6.jpg)
A leopard slug
![16.jpg 16.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122126-9afd2865c750f64694b6a8ac2b8062b3.jpg)
For some reason, the Forest Service has cleared the brush from both sides of the trail. This meant there were few blooming shrubs
to take pictures of.
![17.jpg 17.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122127-9434e9b078e4279ccd0c00798456e5b5.jpg)
Reaching the aspen
![18.jpg 18.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122128-cd37c27e6c266a6003119303db90b27c.jpg)
Solomon's seal
![19.jpg 19.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122129-22d379706cc8b2b31e2c1205ce2f5c77.jpg)
Wide open now after they cleared the brush. The mule ears have yet to bloom
![20.jpg 20.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122130-b923ffbaeb111be4793ad2cb11de9391.jpg)
Groundsel
![21.jpg 21.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122131-8c7a1bef7c07d917947f8125a403e103.jpg)
Mount Aire
![22.jpg 22.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122132-c0bf6f620af686b188a1ad381d13649e.jpg)
Woodland Star
![23.jpg 23.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122133-fc1b757b906267ec3dbfad024b0966ed.jpg)
Gobblers Knob and Mount Raymond across Millcreek Canyon
![24.jpg 24.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122134-a4185d33c6adb5a55a522766f291af43.jpg)
The north side of Mount Raymond
![25.jpg 25.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122135-bea8ee69e109764dcfbca6c05db13ffa.jpg)
American vetch
![26.jpg 26.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122136-7cf160378c60dadd85ecab17a187f8b1.jpg)
The arrowleaf balsamroot still have some life left in them on Aire.
![27.jpg 27.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122137-752ff9a67fb97f2c11b0d49873fd71d5.jpg)
Utah Serviceberry
![28.jpg 28.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122138-7eee738f67f03752f761932c17d6b4d4.jpg)
More woodland star
![29.jpg 29.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122139-00cc499de1c46eee844d1631aabd8637.jpg)
Gobblers Knob across the canyon
![30.jpg 30.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122140-6346e9fc2104c77816013afe11ac8bf8.jpg)
Switchback
![31.jpg 31.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122141-1b062ece1e49748d161b6b0fb5740ddb.jpg)
From Mount Olympus to the west, to Gobblers Knob to the east
![32.jpg 32.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122142-bb8004b4eb68b225bea0190482f1e51e.jpg)
Patch of starwort
![33.jpg 33.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122143-c2eeae6a80795bb6a258a7e17dcf3192.jpg)
On the last switchback, looking up at the summit of Mount Aire
![34.jpg 34.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122144-9792b95ac8820221a16b617a884dd46d.jpg)
Grandeur Peak to the west, at the end of the ridge. Where are my sunglasses @Rockskipper?
![35.jpg 35.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122145-8a7ccb45f6880dc67223376fa45e6200.jpg)
Katie, approaching the summit
![36.jpg 36.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122146-6b4a85482acb05e70a0c89f00755d5c2.jpg)
High enough now to get a good view of Broads Fork Twin Peaks, beyond Mount Raymond
![37.jpg 37.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122148-bc23fc6c899ae28dd77ba754f05f2f63.jpg)
Summit shot
![38.jpg 38.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122149-170db9e0c06c6e2979b83e82f08960ad.jpg)
Mount Olympus, with the snowcapped Oquirrhs in the distance
![39.jpg 39.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122150-593881318dff5d90e60bd107419c5904.jpg)
Mount Wire - on the middle ridge, with Frary Peak in the far distance
![40.jpg 40.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122151-7f55f7d33e4329ff5947ff8f8787d431.jpg)
![41.jpg 41.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122152-ecfdaf033974a859252a68b10092a543.jpg)
A swallowtail on the summit
![42.jpg 42.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122153-1dce2d1cdd50cfcfe7847a573ab938dd.jpg)
Duskywing
![43.jpg 43.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122154-95eae99b1e0bc6095b42bf345d34762b.jpg)
Larkspur
![44.jpg 44.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122155-c741625536bdbd49b42e211d9adf7eea.jpg)
California Tortoiseshell
![45.jpg 45.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122156-7e9171a8725150713a8dc1eb0b38df10.jpg)
Geranium
![46.jpg 46.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122157-3b88bfdcd9ea3b11235c878f80b5c0f5.jpg)
Another duskywing
![47.jpg 47.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122158-c470dcdcd985926ee5c92710569e757a.jpg)
Rest time!
![48.jpg 48.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122159-a1356f67cd778d133c2ebb47916cf0c1.jpg)
Another shot of Millcreek at Elbow Fork
![49.jpg 49.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122160-3218d7187c5efca8fedeada8deb707b8.jpg)
And then this. I was walking down the other side of the road, when Sheila and Katie started yelling at me and pointing. The growth
along the road actually comes out over the road a bit in places, so I stopped and looked around the shrub in front of me, and lo-and-
behold there was a moose in front of me standing on the edge of the road. So I crossed the road and started taking a few pictures.
![50.jpg 50.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122161-4724871506e5c9fa2fe159f9d54676b7.jpg)
Looking at me.
![51.jpg 51.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122162-c373964b1fa856551e2548b432a5ed2c.jpg)
Beginning to walk east, up the road.
![52.jpg 52.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122163-1ef5269cffaf698b7f58265bbe862ee8.jpg)
Seeming a bit agitated as it crosses the road towards me.
And then it charged!
I did the around the tree ploy to get away from it.
![53.jpg 53.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122164-a7b545241399592b39b637c5179bddfd.jpg)
Looking back at me as I took another picture after the charge
![54.jpg 54.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122165-9e4f22d10fadc9204ae80a57b93c735d.jpg)
That'll get your heart racing!
Thorofare @TractorDoc.
![55.jpg 55.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122166-3611d55bcf4958b82b547299ee6bd2fa.jpg)
A painted lady
![56.jpg 56.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122167-690ed72dc98debd2782dc0a65cc81aa4.jpg)
Back at the gate
![57.jpg 57.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122168-52949a47f0ba4d89ea640b20f31d2c6d.jpg)
Grandeur Peak, viewed from the parking lot
![58.jpg 58.jpg](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/122/122169-6c024854899769bf65e9d5804c8e87d0.jpg)
Back at the Sube.
The End.
Last edited: