Oct 23 - Mill D South (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Taking the day off to take a short hike in the mountains. We had 12-18 inches up there Sat/Sun so I'm not heading all the way up Big Cottonwood; just to mid-canyon (where there should be less snow). My goal is to hike to the Cardiff Mine on the Mill D South trail. But if there's south perhaps I'll just go to my "normal" winter stopping point, the meadow.

It's almost 50 when I leave my house. There's sun out but there a tons of clouds not what I'm hoping for but it's what I have.

The drive up the canyon is getting leaf-less. There are still patches of leaves and colors but naked trees are becoming pretty dominant.

As I near my trail, I'm surprised by the piles of snow on the sides of the road; there really did get a bunch of snow at around 7000ft.

I think I'm just heading to the meadow this morning.

I check to see if the road to the trailside parking is open but it's now closed for the season. :(

I park in the lot alongside the road, gear up and start up the partially clear road. Where the paved road ends and the dirt one begins, I put on my micro-spikes; happy, that I remembered to bring them.

I'm looking for deer but seeing nothing.

I reach the actual trail head and pass the creek

head around the closed gate and start the uphill journey. Thankfully, other people have already been through but all the tracks make walking a bit difficult.

The creek alongside the trail is still flowing with water.

It's extremely quiet, no birds, no squirrels/chipmunks, no wind. Just the crunching of my shoes on the frozen snow.

At the turn off for Donut Falls, most of the footprints stop but I'm still following snowshoe tracks up the hill.

Along the way, I see some deer tracks, what I image are rabbit tracks and some moose/elk tracks.

I also, find large patches of snow that are flattened. There are a few of them along the way including one large patch with a smaller patch. I'm thinking they are from moose bedding down on the trail (they're are too big to be deer). Hmmm.

Soon I exit the trees and enter openness as I approach the meadow.

Unfortunately, it's cloudy and the sun has not yet risen over the mountains.

I continue along still following the snowshoe tracks.

I know my stopping point as I'm about ready to stop so do the snowshoe tracks; guess they were heading to the meadow too!

After a brief stop, it's chilly as the wind is blowing here, it's time to head back.

Good day!