On my way to the canyon, I see a car ahead of me pull off the side of the road. Curious, I look to the left to see a large brown hawk/golden eagle (???) "walking" into the sagebrush! I would have stopped if it not for the long line of cars behind me.
I arrive at the trail head around 9 am. There's only a few cars in the parking lot this morning (but lots of cars continuing up the canyon to the ski resorts).
The trail is snow packed (as expected at 7600ft) and, in spots, a bit icy. (Glad I'm wearing my micro spikes.) It's already in the mid-40s as I start off. The sky is blue and the sun is up - unfortunately, I'm in the shade as the sun is still behind the mountains.
It's not long when I arrive at the footbridge to cross the creek. There's less than a foot of packed snow on the bridge (last time I did this hike in the winter, the snow was almost as high as the bridge's handrails). But it's still very much looks like winter.
After crossing the bridge, it's about 1 mile to another creek.
It's at this creek where White Pine trail branches off from the Red Pine trail. Today, the creek is covered in snow - just a couple of holes with flowing water. The normal Red Pine trail actually goes up a bit up the trail to a bridge to cross the creek but trail goes right over the creek.
Time to continue on the White Rock trail which continues the uphill ascent up 4 switchbacks. The trail is still snow packed, wide and easy to walk. At the end of the first switchback (500 ft of gain) is an overlook down the canyon toward the Salt Lake valley -- looking good this morning.
I head up switchback 2 and 3. When I'm completing the 3rd, I meet my first human of the day; a lady skiing down the trail. I continue up the 4th (and final)
and as I near the end, I get a glimpse of the mountains ahead.
After completing the switchbacks, the trail levels off and heads through the woods (only peeks of the mountains).
The trail is still snow packed and easy walking. Along the way, I get "yelled" at by several squirrels.
Soon I finally exit the trees into a wonderful meadow surrounded by tall snowy peaks. (2 miles - 800ft gain)
I continue through enjoying the sights.
Once through the meadow, the trail (now just a small snowshoe path) turns left. I follow; it's much softer as it's not well traveled. I follow along sinking a few inches with each step (sometimes to my knees). The path heads back into the trees and then starts thru some shrubs. This is where I decided to turn around. A little too shady for me; I'm not even sure how much farther this person got - lots of branches.
I head back to the meadow for one last shot. I step off the trail a few steps to get around some of the dead tree branches.
On my way back to the trail, I realize that although we haven't had a lot of snow this year, we still have had 150 inches (and there's still a 50 inch base at the resorts) and if you step in the wrong place, the snow will eat your leg up to your hip! Or in my case, as I try to maneuver myself out (while keeping my camera dry), it'll eat both legs. Buried in snow and feeling a little helpless, I manage to get my camera (still dry) back in the bag. And then get myself back on my feet with the only damage to my pride and an extremely cold, wet, frozen, and painful right hand. My winter is now complete! (Happens at least once a winter.)
I continue up the trail just a bit when I decide to head a path a single skier made thru the meadow to get a better look at the peaks. I'm prepared to fall thru again but manage to stay on top. (whew!)
Time to head home with a great view leading my way.
Incredible day!!
