An "easy" hike to Lake Catherine
Last weekend we were in Park City for the "long" weekend. We had a timeshare week that was about to expire so we headed to the Utah mountains to use it up.
What do we like to do when we head to the mountains? Hike!
We used a new app on the iPhone and found an "easy" trail with only a 750 foot vertical rise. You know you're in trouble when you pull into the parking lot at the trail head and you're at the bottom of a ski run.
Our easy hike quickly turned into a trek up a mountain. Literally. And did I mention that the starting point of this hike was 8,700 feet? Up, up, up we went.
The air was pretty scarce so there were lots of "I gotta stop and breathe" breaks. Thank goodness the Wasatch Mountains have lots of large boulders to sit on. It was quite warm for the mountains too--upper 80s and 90s. Hot, when you're hiking a mountain.
The trail was quite rocky in spots. It could be tricky to maneuver and I, being a klutz, have to constantly keep my eyes on the ground or I'm bound to trip over the smallest pebble or root.
See Irv up there on that trail? That's the dam for Lake Mary way up there. How the heck do you think they built that?
Our final destination was to be Lake Catherine. After what seemed like an eternity we came across this sign. Only a mile more to go!
It was definitely worth the effort to get up there. Beautiful, crystal clear, cold mountain water. This is part of the watershed for the Salt Lake Valley.
So what do you do when you reach such a glorious spot? A selfie of course.
We did it...we reached 10,000 feet and snow! Snow on July 3rd.
Lake Catherine was a little underwhelming compared to Lake Mary, but then we got the most special reward for hiking all the way up there...
Look at this guy. A moose! A moose out in the wild just standing there eating away and not caring that we were there. (Don't worry, we were far away...my camera has a good zoom.) Do you think he was as thrilled to spot some humans in the wild? Thank goodness it wasn't a bear. Our bear spray is where it normally is...at home in the safe.
What a special treat!
Then it was time to go back down. Down, down, down we went. I love the moutain meadows, the aspen trees, the pine trees, and even the rocks. But you cannot imagine how thick the mosquitoes were on top of that mountain and we were without bug spray.
3 hours and 41 minutes later we were back at 8,700 feet and you know the best part (after the moose)? There was a pub at the base of the mountain that served a really great frosty local brew. No better way to end a perfect day (never mind the sunburn and 400 mosquito bites I got...I'm sure I have the Zeka virus now).
I love the mountains almost as much I love my sweet hubbie.
Personally, I think this hike needs to be reclassifed as moderate. It was challenging in spots.
What do we like to do when we head to the mountains? Hike!
We used a new app on the iPhone and found an "easy" trail with only a 750 foot vertical rise. You know you're in trouble when you pull into the parking lot at the trail head and you're at the bottom of a ski run.
Our easy hike quickly turned into a trek up a mountain. Literally. And did I mention that the starting point of this hike was 8,700 feet? Up, up, up we went.
The air was pretty scarce so there were lots of "I gotta stop and breathe" breaks. Thank goodness the Wasatch Mountains have lots of large boulders to sit on. It was quite warm for the mountains too--upper 80s and 90s. Hot, when you're hiking a mountain.
The trail was quite rocky in spots. It could be tricky to maneuver and I, being a klutz, have to constantly keep my eyes on the ground or I'm bound to trip over the smallest pebble or root.
See Irv up there on that trail? That's the dam for Lake Mary way up there. How the heck do you think they built that?
Our final destination was to be Lake Catherine. After what seemed like an eternity we came across this sign. Only a mile more to go!
It was definitely worth the effort to get up there. Beautiful, crystal clear, cold mountain water. This is part of the watershed for the Salt Lake Valley.
So what do you do when you reach such a glorious spot? A selfie of course.
We stopped for a little nourishment then we hit the trail again. Onto Lake Catherine!
We did it...we reached 10,000 feet and snow! Snow on July 3rd.
Lake Catherine was a little underwhelming compared to Lake Mary, but then we got the most special reward for hiking all the way up there...
Can you see it? Look really close.
Can you see his face?
Look at this guy. A moose! A moose out in the wild just standing there eating away and not caring that we were there. (Don't worry, we were far away...my camera has a good zoom.) Do you think he was as thrilled to spot some humans in the wild? Thank goodness it wasn't a bear. Our bear spray is where it normally is...at home in the safe.
What a special treat!
Then it was time to go back down. Down, down, down we went. I love the moutain meadows, the aspen trees, the pine trees, and even the rocks. But you cannot imagine how thick the mosquitoes were on top of that mountain and we were without bug spray.
3 hours and 41 minutes later we were back at 8,700 feet and you know the best part (after the moose)? There was a pub at the base of the mountain that served a really great frosty local brew. No better way to end a perfect day (never mind the sunburn and 400 mosquito bites I got...I'm sure I have the Zeka virus now).
I love the mountains almost as much I love my sweet hubbie.
Personally, I think this hike needs to be reclassifed as moderate. It was challenging in spots.
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