ADVENTURE - Mill Creek Canyon - first snowy hike of the season

The road up the canyon is closed for the winter so folks can cross country ski. We went up last weekend to check out the conditions. We decided to hike since the snow was pretty crusty and thin. After the storms we had this weekend - the road should be great for skinning or skiing on.

Penny had a wonderful time romping around in the snow. We walked up the road to Elbow Fork and took the Pipeline Trail back down towards the car.

This is a typical scene - Penny running back towards us. We had to leave Wiley at home because of his injury. 

ADVENTURE - Deseret Peak Wilderness

We took a lovely hike up (most of the way) Deseret Peak - the highest peak (11,031 ft) in the Stansbury Mountain Range just west of Tooele. It was a pretty steep walk up and well worth the views. It was our first hike in the Stansbury Range and it gave us such a different vantage point of the lake and Salt Lake Valley. 

Penny and I working our way up the trail.

Rob and Penny waiting for me to hike down - this was where we had to turn around because Penny was whimpering. We still don't know if it was because we were hiking too slow or if her hips were hurting her. To be safe - we decided to head down before she ended up in the backpack...

 View of the peak from an open meadow down below. We were able to run down the trail and get out of there in no time. The trail was so steep, running was easier than putting on the brakes.

Penny sure didn't seem tired or injured on the drive home. 

And, here's a shot of the amazing harvest feast at our house the following day. Friends brought an item that they prepared using local, fresh, and or home-grown produce. It was quite a spread and a great excuse to visit with good friends. 

Happy Fall!