Desolation Trail, Millcreek Canyon

Overview

Guest Post by Darcy!


Distance: 4.8 miles round trip

Elevation: 5800 ft to 7000 ft = ~ 1200 ft

Time: ~2.5 hours (round trip)

Date: June 22, 2012

Fee: $3 to enter Millcreek Canyon

How to get there from BYU: 
trailhead


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Map:

Description:
The trail covers one of the lower ridges of Mt. Raymond. Today's description is from my sister-in-law, Darcy, on her own blog. Two Inches

Geocaching:
Here are some links to caches along the way:
Haus of Hans
Thith ith in Thayne
Bill's Arch
Sunday Stroll

and possibly this one too:
Perfect Squares

Other Links:
Millcreek Canyon Hikes
Desolation Trail

Dry Fork Canyon

Overview

Distance: ~7 miles round trip

Elevation: 7200 ft to 9600 ft = ~ 2400 ft

Time: 3-5 hours (round trip)

Date: June 7, 2012

How to get there from BYU:

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Trail:

Description:


This is a continuation of my Rock Canyon hike from the last post. This hike presents great views of the tallest  mountains over Provo. It is exhilarating as you make it over the crest and can finally see over to the other side of the mountain. Once reaching the ridge you can keep going up to the nearest peak, Shingle Mill (that funny pyramid looking peak), which will take you over the 10000 ft elevation mark.

To save some time you can reach the trail head by taking Squaw Peak Road from Provo Canyon. If you have more time though the Rock Canyon trail is a great addition. The trail is not terribly steep but steadily increases elevation nevertheless. Found a sign warning of bears though they are not often reported in the area -- still pretty close to civilization.

The trail head on Squaw Peak Road

We're going on a bear hunt!

The trail starts off going through a pleasant tree filled area. The entire trail is very well kept and easy to follow. There are a few points where the trail comes out of the trees enough to present great views looking back down the canyon as well as further up the mountain.

Ahhh....shade

Looking back on Provo

South-east towards Freedom Peak (left) and Provo Peak (right)

There weren't tons of wildflowers along the way -- perhaps I haven't found the right season for them -- but I captured a few of the more common types I found

Further up the trail there begin to be more meadows and the trail begins to bend towards Freedom Peak. From here you can begin to see the great terraces that the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) dug out back in the '30s -- it's impressive that they were able to get all the machinery up on these slopes.

Starting to turn

Shingle Mill with terraces

Heading towards Freedom Peak

The trail becomes a bit more rocky and eroded as you get closer to Freedom Peak.

In a rut

Up close and personal with Freedom Peak

Once you reach the base of Freedom Peak the trail does a 180 and begins a fairly direct shot to the ridge cutting up through the terraces.

To the top!

Whoso pulleth out this pipe is the rightwise born King of the Mountain

Looking back down with the Provo Temple right at the vertex of the canyon

At the top you have the pleasure of a great panaromic view all around.

North-east toward south-fork. You can faintly see the Jordanelle Resevoir right of center.

Looking east towards the Uinta mountains near Smith & Morehouse

Cascade Mountain and Mt. Timpanogos

Looking west over Lake Mountain, the Oquirrh Mountains and beyond

 From here you have options. You can continue on the trail down to South Fork, or you can ascend up to Shingle Mill to the south, or you can head north along the ridge line to Cascade Mountain. Or you can descend back to the valley which is what I had to do on this occasion.

Ridge trail to the peak of Cascade Mountain. Not for the faint of heart. Bring a friend.

Left to Cascade Mountain & South Fork. Right to Shingle Mill

Trail to Shingle Mill

Geocaching:

There are a few geocaches along this part of the trail though it could use some more -- that could double as rest stop along the way. These caches that are higher up in the mountain tend to be bigger and not quite as difficult to find -- due to the smaller traffic. The tricky part is just hiking up to them. However, because they tend to be larger containers you can hide more impressive stuff in them -- to make the journey all the more worth it!

Most of the caches are near the Rock Canyon campground and could easily be reached from the road. There is one just below the Freedom Peak cirque and one along the the ridge line on your way to Cascade Mountain.

Rock Canyon Campground
Oh-Six-Oh
Finally a smooth road
Uinta Forests
01*36*46 Head of Rock Canyon
The Pining Cache

Other Links:
Another climbers log

Rock Canyon

Overview

Distance: ~ 7 miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 5124 ft to 7165 ft =  ~ 2041 ft
Time: 3-5 hours (round trip)

Date: June 7, 2012

How to get there from BYU:  

View Larger Map


Trail:

Description:


The Rock Canyon trail has some of the most beautiful views around. The rocks rise up in great cliffs and swirls on both sides.

The trailhead

The cliffs near the trailhead are a favorite of climbers.

Going up!

Don't let go

The trail is fairly rocky the entire way though can be a bit gravelly in parts near the beginning. Be sure to bring good shoes for walking over rocks.

A gravelly section

However, without stumbling over the rocks, be sure to look up. There is a lot to see along the way.

Sqauw Peak

Looking up towards Y-mountain

Mountains have layers

A cool swirl in the rocks

More impressive cliffs

The trail follows along a small stream. I've never seen it flow down as far as the trail head but you generally reach it within the first mile -- depending on the time of year. It must have been fairly impressive in the past though considering all of the cement work near the trail head.

Give said the little stream

A little waterfall along the way

 Along the way you'll see evidence of an old aqueduct. It has since been replaced with pipes running under the trail. Every once in a while you'll see the pipes stick out and sometimes you can even hear the water running under the trail.

A portion of the aqueduct that has broken near this bend in the rock

There are 5 bridges along the way -- all before the Squaw Peak trailhead. Most of the time the stream is low enough that they aren't really needed though. They were just replaced earlier this spring and are in very good shape.

Bridge 2

bridge 3

In between the 4th and 5th bridges there's a side trail to a cave which then joins back up to the main trail. The cave doesn't go very far in but is fun to check out nevertheless. Found bats in it once, so I've named it the Bat Cave.

Bridge 4 - The trail to the Bat Cave is to the left

The 5th bridge - the Bat Cave trail joins back up on the other side of the bridge

No, I don't think Batman lives here

 Not many people make it past the Squaw Peak trail head. After that point the trail is fairly quiet though there are still some great views.

The Sqauw Peak trailhead

I think there used to be a sign here but I'm not sure what for

The 2nd of the two fountains. Drink up

 Shortly after the Squaw Peak trailhead there's another fork. A less well-maintained trail heads to the south. I've named this trail the Klimeck Trail after an old roommate that first explored it with me and helped set me up with my now wife. There's a largish rock right at the fork with some neat fossils in it too that he was always on the look-out for too. The Klimeck trail connects up with the Slide Canyon and Y-Mountain Peak trails to the south.

Klimeck Trail

Further down the trail the river diverts to the south and you'll come to a small switchback that takes you up to a beautful overlook. From here you can get a great view of the stream coming down from the south, as well as Provo Peak and it's neighbors.

Looking back to Provo

Looking towards the south. Rock Canyon stream below, Provo Peak above

Close-up of the stream

Looking up the canyon followed by the Klimeck trail and back of Y-mountain

Shingle Mill and Freedom Peak to the East

Not long after this view point you'll begin to pass through meadows. The grass can be tall and wet and I saw some nettles along this last part of the trail so be sure to wear some decent pants. The meadows come right before the Rock Canyon Campground. I've never seen anyone at this campground before but the facilities look nice and it appears to be reservable online.

The meadows before the camp

Entering Rock Canyon Campground

 There are some lovely views of the peaks above the campground

Cascade Mountain

Shingle Mill Peak on the left and Freedom Peak on the right

Follow the 060 trail signs through the camp. It will eventually lead you out the other side till it goes back into the woods.

Back into the woods

This part of the trail goes for about a quarter of a mile to where I'm placing the end of this trail and the beginning of the Dry Fork trail -- though technically they are both labeled trail 060.

End of Rock Canyon and beginning of Dry Fork Canyon

Geocaching


There are quite a few geocaches along this part of the trail though many of them can be challenging to get to. It can also be a bit tricky getting good satellite reception in the narrow part of the canyon.

Other Links:
Rock Canyon Campground