September Trails

I enjoy getting into the mountains any time of year.  Hiking makes my heart happy in every season.  However when autumn comes, the trails call so strongly that I shirk all responsibility and heed the siren call of the changing leaves.  This year was no exception.  I'll let the pictures tell most of the story.

Lake Blanche, Big Cottonwood Canyon, seven mile solo hike, September 22nd.

The clouds rolled in as I reached the top.  So mysterious!  

Some other hikers said there were moose in the area, but I never saw them.

Murdock Peak, Millcreek Canyon, 8.75 mile solo hike, September 26th.

Spending time with the aspens was the perfect way to celebrate my 45th birthday.

Rattlesnake Gulch, Millcreek Canyon, four mile solo hike, September 27th.

The color was astounding!

Little Mountain Trail, Emigration Canyon, 3 mile sunset hike with Eli, September 28th

There's no better way to end the day than watching the sunset with this phenomenal teen.

Eli accidentally stepped on a rubber boa, but it slithered away so we hope it was fine.

Mount Timpanogos via Aspen Grove Trail, Provo Canyon, 12 mile hike with Brooklyn, Talia, Callie, and Adam, September 30th.  

Knowing that parking at the trailhead would be difficult on a Saturday, we left Salt Lake at 3:30 am and started hiking in the pitch black.  We made it quite a ways up by the time sun started to lighten the horizon.

Best hiking companions!  Jason and Eli, we hope to catch you next year.

A few patches of snow stay all year round.  In fact, we even saw several guys trekking up with their snowboards to get in a few mini-runs.

The highlight of our hike was spying these fluffy white mountain goats.  At first there were just a few, but then the whole herd started charging down toward us.

 

As we crested the ridge, we saw a tent set up by Emerald Lake. The mountain goats obviously were making themselves quite cozy around the campers and the gears,  If you closely, you can see a hand sticking out of the tent, probobaly wondering if it's safe to emerge.

They're so fluffy!

At this point we decided that life just couldn't get any better and turned around instead of heading all the way up to the summit. It was geting pretty chilly, and Talia wanted to make it back to Salt Lake in time for her 1:30 volunteer commitment.

The advantage of starting so early is that you don't get stuck behind giant groups like this.

Yes, fall is glorious.  Hking Timp at the end of September/beginning of October will be on my bucket list for life.

Callie and Adam, thanks for joining the adventure!

And sweet Brooklyn, I know you had many great college offers, but we are so glad that you are close enough to join for these special occasions.

Daughters of mine, thank you for sharing this special trail with me. It makes my mama heart so happy!  I enjoy solo hiking, but the path is always better  with friends.