Wednesday, 4 July 2018
Hill AFB FamCamp — Hill AFB, Utah
Temps: 92F (33C) / 61F (16C)
Happy Birthday USA!
We have one more day left before we head to the east side of the Rockies. This post will wrap up our stay at the famcamp and our time visiting some of our old haunts in the Salt Lake City area.
The first week of July started off with a couple more reunions. First, we were hosted for dinner by the Bensemons at their home … Rick and Mui worked together at the USAF ROTC Detachment at the University of Utah back when we were living in Salt Lake City. The next day, I met up for lunch with a few friends from an organization I used to be a member of when I worked in the oil and gas industry. Both get togethers brought back some wonderful memories.
 |
 |
Left: A delightful dinner and reminiscence with USAF ROTC friends.
Right: A delightful lunch and reminiscence with Desk & Derrick friends.
Yesterday was the final sightseeing outing of our Utah stay … and what a great one it was. The day started with a sprinkle of rain and overcast skies, but neither deterred us from driving up to Snowbird, one of several popular ski resorts within a short drive of Salt Lake City … this one in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Of course, there’s no snow at this time of the year, but that worked out well with our plans to do a bit of hiking. Mother Nature cooperated to lift the overcast and give us sunny skies by the time we arrived at Snowbird. Comfy temps that ranged from 60F (16C) at the top when we started out at 11:30a to 78F (26C) when we got off the mountain at 3:00p.
Opting for the easy way to ascend to Hidden Peak — elevation 11,000 feet (3,353 m) … 2,900-foot (884 m) elevation gain from Snowbird Center— we hopped on the tram for a short ride. Spectacular scenery along the way, but it didn’t hold a candle to what we enjoyed once we got off the tram at the top station. I really should have taken my camera. As it is, our cell phones had to suffice to record memories of today.
The Snowbird tram whisks us up and away from Snowbird Center.
One of the iconic trams of Snowbird heading down as we go up.
The system has been in operation since 1971 when the resort opened.
Down-canyon view with Sandy City in the far distance.
After wandering around, and oohing and aahing at the breathtaking mountain views for 1/2-hour, it was time to begin the descent back to Snowbird Center … on foot.
Starting off on the Peruvian Gulch Trail, we kludged together a nearly 8-mile (13 km) hike using several different paths. Some were hiking-only; others allowed bikers … we saw only one heading down at breakneck speed. In fact, we saw hardly anyone else on the hike down. Most of the trails were wide; one — the Peruvian Gulch hikers-only path — was very narrow, with barely enough room to put two feet together side by side. All of the paths were dirt and had a downward grade that was at times steep. No problem … except that the loose rocks that littered all of the trails made for slippery footing. Our mantra … watch your feet when walking; stop to enjoy the scenery. It meant that our usually slow pace had to be slower … giving us more time to enjoy the fantastic landscape that surrounded us in all directions and the colorful wildflowers we encountered along the way.
Mt Baldy dominates the center of the view.
Mineral Basin
Looking back toward top station from the head of the Mt Baldy Trail.
 |
 |
 |
 |
We wrapped up our time in Little Cottonwood Canyon with a self-catered picnic at Alta, another ski resort … just a bit further up the road. We had such a wonderful day that not even having to deal with I-15 rush hour traffic put a dent in our mood. Using the HOV2+ lane and taking a detour to Hill AFB via US-89 helped alleviate most of the traffic aggravation.
Tomorrow is a breaking-up-camp day! We enjoyed our time here, and though the Salt Lake City area has proven not to be what we’re looking for in terms of future settlement, we will be back to visit again. The red rocks of southern Utah are calling us … next time!
© 2004-2018 Two to Travel's Phaeton Journeys. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED by ERIN ERKUN.
We just love Utah, so much to see, so little time. ;c)
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous hike! Looks like you were there at the perfect time to catch the wildflower bloom. We'll have to remember that one.
ReplyDeleteI think these photos are some of my favorites from your recent travels. That brilliant yellow against the bright blue sky is just fantastic, and you captured it perfectly. Love the detail. And with a phone, no less. Wow! I also felt my knees twinge as you spoke of your descent. Rumor has it I am getting a cortisone shot in my left knee before I leave for Italy in September. Don't want to have things go out on all those steps and cliffs!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to meet up with folks from your past and get caught up. Wonderful photographs from your hike. Sounds like one to be very careful on.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful stay you had in Utah! I'd never heard of Little Cottonwood Canyon, though, of course, I knew about Snowbird. Smart cookies to take the tram up, hike down. Judging from your phone photos, the hike was truly scenic! Think you'll get in some hiking in Colorado?
ReplyDeleteLike they all say, the best camera is the one in your hand and the person behind it. Im impressed you did an 8 mile hike and going down too which I think is more challenging than going up.
ReplyDelete