DrNed
The mountains are calling and I must go
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2013
- Messages
- 1,026
The Murdock Canla Trail is a paved "trail" that follows where the Murdock Canal used to flow.
The canal was the width and of depth of a nice river. As little ones my children were introduced to the various water fowl, particularly ducks and their lines of little ducklings, that floated the canal.
Unfortunately, it was piped and buried a few years ago. In its place they left a black top "trail". I mention this all because this became my first "outdoor cause."
In the end, the masses wanted the paved road and the accompanying bathrooms and trash cans, etc. for biking, walking, running and horse back riding. It seems as though it's been a real win for the biking community.
It runs 17 miles through the neighborhoods of several Utah County towns and connects to the Provo River Trail on the south and the Jordan River Trail on the north, creating, what I would guess as 70+ miles of paved trails.
It even gets scraped after it snows.
Into this wilderness we embarked early Saturday to do a 20 mile hike for the Hiking Merit Badge.
We began at my home, hiked the 1/4 mile east to catch the trail and then headed south. The plan was to go 5 miles south, turn around and return to our starting point, then go 5 miles north and again I return to the start point. This enabled us to do 20 miles without ever being very far from home.
Early morning glow over the mountains as we head south.
We did our first 10 in just over three hours, which included first aid time to tend to a nasty heel blister I developed. I guess thats what I get for doing it in athletic shoes instead of my hiking boots.
Looking up at the mountain as we head north through Pleasant Grove. This view is just north of the "G" mountain.
The Murdock Canal Trail for all practical purposes is flat and runs at about 4800 feet above sea level. Looking west over north Utah Valley. That gray stuff in the air is what we call inversion.
I do love me some Americana.
Along the way we met Ted from 22 Too Many. He's a combat medic out rucking to commemorate his military brothers who die at their own hand every day. On average, 22 active and retired military personnel take their lives every day.
We also met this guy. The boys thought it was pretty cool to hear an NFL tight end tell them what they were doing was "big time." I'm sure the local BYU fans will recognize him. He's probably most famous for helping Philadelphia get to the Super Bowl some years ago.
Another Pleasant Grove landmark - The Bingham Barn.
The end is in sight!
The last five miles we had several unanticipated stops. Plus, the last 4 miles was just brutal. I soothed the boys aching legs and feet by stuffing them with pizza at the local buffett.
The canal was the width and of depth of a nice river. As little ones my children were introduced to the various water fowl, particularly ducks and their lines of little ducklings, that floated the canal.
Unfortunately, it was piped and buried a few years ago. In its place they left a black top "trail". I mention this all because this became my first "outdoor cause."
In the end, the masses wanted the paved road and the accompanying bathrooms and trash cans, etc. for biking, walking, running and horse back riding. It seems as though it's been a real win for the biking community.
It runs 17 miles through the neighborhoods of several Utah County towns and connects to the Provo River Trail on the south and the Jordan River Trail on the north, creating, what I would guess as 70+ miles of paved trails.
It even gets scraped after it snows.
Into this wilderness we embarked early Saturday to do a 20 mile hike for the Hiking Merit Badge.
We began at my home, hiked the 1/4 mile east to catch the trail and then headed south. The plan was to go 5 miles south, turn around and return to our starting point, then go 5 miles north and again I return to the start point. This enabled us to do 20 miles without ever being very far from home.
Early morning glow over the mountains as we head south.
We did our first 10 in just over three hours, which included first aid time to tend to a nasty heel blister I developed. I guess thats what I get for doing it in athletic shoes instead of my hiking boots.
Looking up at the mountain as we head north through Pleasant Grove. This view is just north of the "G" mountain.
The Murdock Canal Trail for all practical purposes is flat and runs at about 4800 feet above sea level. Looking west over north Utah Valley. That gray stuff in the air is what we call inversion.
I do love me some Americana.
Along the way we met Ted from 22 Too Many. He's a combat medic out rucking to commemorate his military brothers who die at their own hand every day. On average, 22 active and retired military personnel take their lives every day.
We also met this guy. The boys thought it was pretty cool to hear an NFL tight end tell them what they were doing was "big time." I'm sure the local BYU fans will recognize him. He's probably most famous for helping Philadelphia get to the Super Bowl some years ago.
Another Pleasant Grove landmark - The Bingham Barn.
The end is in sight!
The last five miles we had several unanticipated stops. Plus, the last 4 miles was just brutal. I soothed the boys aching legs and feet by stuffing them with pizza at the local buffett.
