Beautiful morning when I set off around 9am. Still mostly cloudy but there are some openings showing blue skies. It's already in the mid-40s.
As I head up Big Cottonwood Canyon, it looks a lot different than it did a couple of days ago as most of the snow on the south facing slopes is gone at the lower elevations. But as I get higher, there's still a lot of snow around on both sides.
Heading to Dog Lake today. There are 2 parking locations for the trail: Mill D North trail which is the normal non-winter season trail head and about a mile further up the road, the Spruces campground parking lot. I'm heading to the Spruces lot. Many cars already there when I arrive around 9:30 but I find a spot to park, gear up and set off.
The trail to the lake is around 2.7 miles and a 1200 ft gain (7700 - 8715ft).
After crossing the road and up a little slope I reach a snow pack road (which is gated) that winds through some summer cottages. The walking is slow as there's only a thin snow crust which easily breaks. I'm only sinking an inch or 3 on most steps but it's slow.
Once through the cottages, the trail heads off towards the lake through a valley. Lovely views ahead.
Soon I can see the other trail and meet up with it at a creek crossing (the creek is snow covered at this point).
Once the 2 trails meet, the trail is much firmer due its exposure to more sun and the thaw/freeze cycles. Yea, the walking is much easier now!
At this point, the trail has been very quiet and I've only seen 2 skiers on their way down. And a set of tracks -- something small and with a tail - maybe squirrel.
In one section of the trail, I hear and see the only animal of the day - a squirrel.
I also hear a few birds here; I can only ID the call of a Chickadee.
At the 2 mile mark, I reach the intersection of the Dog Lake and Desolation Lake trails. I head left to face the short but steep hill leading to the lake. Back to slow going because of the hill and the soft snow.
I make it up the hill and over to Dog Lake
It's still untouched snow which is awesome!!
I try to make it above the lake to see the mountains along a ski trail but the snow is really soft and I'm sinking about to my knees with every step. With about 100 feet of little hill in front of me, it just wasn't worth it for me today -- for another time.
Heading back to the lake and try to head around it along a hiker made short trail in hopes of seeing the mountains peaks but the trail did not go far enough around the lake to see the peaks. (After this coming week-end, I'm sure there will be trail everywhere.)
Time to head home with the mountains ahead of me.
Awesome day!
