#14 Baer Canyon Hike

Found this on Adventure Quotes...Couldn't agree more!

It was a beautiful Spring day in late April and my husband and I decided to hike Baer Canyon. It is considered a difficult hike. because of the altitude gain. As we were hiking along the beautiful, fast moving creek, we were met by piles of snow on the hill sides. We hiked and  crossed the creek a couple of times until we decided to stop and enjoy the view and have a snack. At this point on the trail we would have to cross the creek and head up the hill towards Francis Peak and the water towers. 

www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/baer-creek-trail

We decided that due to the snow, we would forego climbing further. It was still a great hike. Beautiful and serene.

What you need for a great day hike:

• water
• snacks
• a rain jacket
• lip balm
• sunscreen/bug spray
• a bandana (for nose wipes or to dip in the stream to cool you off on your head or around your neck)
• basic first aid
• hand sanitizer
• a pocket knife

Happy Trails!

#13 Running a 5K

• "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
  -John Bingham, running speaker and writer

I am a walker. A pretty fast one. I can out walk my husband and sons who have a much longer stride, my daughters who are much younger than me and every neighbor or friend I have ever had the joy of walking with. I love to walk but I am not a runner. I want to be one, sometimes.

 For my 13th challenge I decided to run in a 5K. There was a cause I believed in and so I jumped in! I ran in the Women for Decency Pummel Pornography race. April 23, 2016 in Lindon, Utah.

To help me prepare for the run I exercised as often as I could...mostly doing some in home videos that I found! I will add a link to them after this post. I found the Jessica Smith videos and was able to work out whenever I wanted, no matter the weather. I also rode my bike a couple of times and tried to run with my son (17, loves to run, much younger and more fit than I) and once  my daughter rode her bike to keep me going. The night before the race I still hadn't made it the whole distance. 

The day of the race was pretty chilly. I prefer that to sweating my guts out. I was determined that I would run the whole distance even if that meant I was shuffling along! I had invited two of my nieces to join me and one of them brought along her boyfriend. 

I was pretty proud of us! I learned a great lesson that day...keep moving, don't stop, even if you're slow at it just keep moving your feet and heading toward the end goal. It's also helpful to have someone run with you. It makes it so much easier to keep going.  One of my nieces ran with me all the way. She had to slow down to my pace but we got into a rhythm and kept at it. By the middle of the race I was feeling pretty good. I couldn't believe it! We talked the whole way and before I knew it, we were crossing the finish line. 

I was one of 55 women running that day. Some older than me but most of the runners were younger than I . I was 49...just three days away from my 50th birthday. I tied for 15th in the women's category. I couldn't have been happier. 

Thank you to all the great sponsors and especially to Women for Decency for putting this on!

Here are our times  35:25.7

Just beyond the finish line, hidden by these bushes were two punching bags. I loved pummeling them in  honor of those struggling with pornography addiction. Proceeds from the race were awarded as scholarships to counseling for those affected by the harms of pornography. Great cause! Great run!

My young supporters! I have an awesome extended family!

jessicasmithtv.com  Here is the link to some great exercises I found that helped me prepare for the race. I love her indoor mile runs with weights! Many fun variations. Great exercise.

#12 Farmington Canyon Walk

This was my first adventure with my oldest daughter and her husband. She's pregnant with my first grand baby so we didn't go too crazy! My husband and youngest daughter were also with us. It was a beautiful day. The temperature was perfect... We did gain some altitude but we took things at a leisurely pace and didn't go too far. Probably only a couple of miles in all.  It was fun to have my youngest along. She sees the beauties in the world around us. She also picks up trash  along the way to make things better for those who follow. That's my girl! (and especially that's her daddy's girl...she learned that from him). 

#11 9th Street Rapell

First rappel of the year! 9th Street in Ogden.  My husband went to a rappel class last Spring and we enjoyed some amazing mountain descents last year. Being the first in several months, I did have to take a deep breath and do a little self talk that everything would be fine before I could take that first step off the mountain.  After that first time down I was hooked again! There is nothing like it. It is so fun and something  I long to share with friends and family. 

My youngest had a wave of fear come over her. We tried to ease her into it. When we could see the fear was bigger than we thought, we set up a double rope so that my husband could go parallel with her. We thought it would work but this particular rock is a pretty abrupt descent. She was hooked up but something was holding her back. She walked away from the edge and had to go sit away from everyone for several minutes to process it. That is OK!! We have since been looking into some rocks that are more gradual and we will work on helping her breakthrough this little set back. She is a pretty adventurous young lady and I bet we can have her begging to go rappelling again!

My husband and I and our two sons that were with us enjoyed several rappels down the rock!

#10 Hike on the Deuel Creek Trail

"Life delights in life". William Blake

A hike with young blood! So fun! So good for me!! Me and four 15 year old boys. It was the first day of Spring Break for them. I felt super lucky they let me take them hiking. It was a beautiful day and perfect for a good hike. Although it is only about 1.4 miles up, we were able to trail run back down and that was a whole new experience for me. 

Deuel Creek Trail is so fun. It is beautiful to walk along with the stream rolling over the rocks! Who needs a playlist when you have nature's music. It was stunning. The hike is considered easy. Young children could hike this but you do want to be cautious at the beginning where there is a steep section next to a thin part of the path. Also, poison ivy can be an issue at times. We were in luck and didn't have any unfortunate anything to contend with. 

There is a bonus on this hike. There is a swing when you are almost at the end. You could end the hike there if you wish but there are some beautiful rocks and a nice place to sit and have a  snack or have a little fire in the fire pit up ahead.

I enjoyed my hike with these young guys. I'm glad they let me come along (OK, I was the only one that knew how to find this trail but still...they agreed to share this adventure with me and that was fabulous!)

#9 Hike to Frary Peak on Antelope Island

" There is no thrill quite like doing

something you didn't know you could."

Majorie Holmes


The day felt straight out of a campfire song, Home on the Range! We were definitely roaming with the buffalo and hardly a cloud in sight!


It was a beautiful Spring day. The perfect time to hike to Frary Peak.4,200 feet at the shore. Frary Peak is the island’s highest point at 6,596 feet. My goal was to avoid the lake stink, the mosquitoes and the heat since there isn't much shade. We accomplished all three! We set off at about 8:30 in the morning on the hike. We did gain a lot of altitude but the hike is gradual enough that it doesn't feel too strenuous. The hike is considered moderately difficult.







https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/antelope-island/


We saw buffalo. Lots of diverse birds including, but not limited to, hawks and a small, bright blue bird that looked like it flew out of an animated  movie, too bright to be real.

The hike was 6.2 miles. It felt so good to be out on the island,breathing fresh air, perfect temperature. Perfect.
We hiked on the trail to the top of Frary Peak but on the way back down we decided to boulder out. I think the bouldering was my husband's favorite part and it kicked up the adventure factor for me!

This beauty of an adventure has held up my blog for far too long. I need to learn how to transfer pics from an email to this blog. Well, pics to follow. Let the adventures continue!

#8 Flat Tire

"Adventure is not outside man,

it is within."

Samuel Butler

On our way to a church meeting out of town, we ran over a nail on the freeway. Why is this an adventure? Well, it was windy and the ground was wet with snow. We had a chance to test out what we had to take care of it...and what we wished we had. Our crew this day consisted of me, my husband, two sons and one daughter.




Jack to take off a flat tire...check. Tarp to kneel on to protect the suit...check. Now where to find the spare? I had wondered where it was. I was asked to look into it. We had downloaded the manual and had it at home on the computer.  I was feeling pretty rotten that I hadn't done it until we were in this predicament! Human nature probably...put off until needed tasks that seem unimportant at the moment!



Luckily I had google at my fingertips and it led me to this plug on the floor between the driver and passenger seats (plug is removed above) to reveal a rod to twist with the end of the jack which would lower the tire on a cable under the car.

Not seen in the picture is a handy tool...an air pump we plugged into the charger port when we saw our spare was flat. We filled up the tire and were on our way soon after.

Tools kept in the van at all times. These have come in  handy many times.  

A blanket we keep in the van it is actually protecting my two youngest from the wind and cold while we have the hatch open in the back.


Now for what we wish we had with us....gloves and hats. When we left for church we didn't expect to have any problems. Usually we attend a church a few blocks from our home but this time we were heading out of town for several miles. We will think better next time  and remember the cold morning on the side of the snowy, windy freeway and gather some simple items "just in case".

During our ordeal we had two kind carloads of Samaritans stop to help. We had what we needed and sent them on. It was nice to have them stop and offer to help. In truth, they didn't have what we needed but were willing to drive us to where we needed to go. Luckily we could take care of our flat and get on with our day!


We actually only missed a little of the opening song at the church meeting. It felt so good to be able to take care of this unexpected, unwanted situation without too much trouble.

#7 Extreme Sledding

"The less routine,

the more life." 

A.B. Alcott

My son Skyler was the inspiration for this adventure. He wanted me to go "Extreme Sledding" and he told me what that meant. Sledding down an untouched mountain trail,  through trees and curves. 

First I had to take my sled and make a trail. Then I got to benefit by sledding down the trail! It is a little tricky to not bonk into a tree or slip down the hill in an unwanted direction. At the end of this sledding trip was a sharp hill to the street. This type of sledding requires jumping out of the sled or at least being able to stick out a leg to stop a rogue sled. It is a little jarring but definitely exciting! It was fun forging my own trail!

At the end of the trail! Whew! Fun!

#6 Deep Powder Snowshoeing

"True enjoyment comes from activity 

 of the mind and exercise of the body;

  the two are ever united."

Wilhelm Von Humboldt

I've been extremely delayed in posting because I got stuck with a video. My video about this adventure is sideways. When I get it turned around it doesn't work as a video. I'll plan on posting this pic right side up as soon as possible!

This adventure was totally new for me. Deep powder snow shoeing. Thank heavens for the snowshoes. they saved me from sinking four feet down! It was fun. It is more work as you sink in (about 18 inches) and then come lift up and on to the next step. The snow was fresh. Fresh and fluffy. Little mini snow balls were running down the hill making trails. It was a blue sky, crisp, beautiful day. I was with my hubby and daughter but was the only one deep powder snowshoeing. They took a packed trail next to the hill I was snowshoeing down. 

I was up Big Cottonwood Canyon.

#5 Building and Sleeping in a Snow Shelter

This was huge for me! Way out of my comfort zone. The little voices in my head started to remind me that we were away from civilization (only a mile or so ) and it was cold, and quiet and I started to panic...What am I doing here? Why am I doing this? What if something happens to one of us? We could die!!!

We selected our spot, safe in the trees.  First we had to tap down a circle of snow to make our snow shelter border. Then we had to pile up snow. Next we tapped it down with our shovels and snowshoes and then we had to wait and let the snow bond.  It sounds so simple, but it took a long time. 

We built a "kitchen" area where we put our fire barrel for heating water and getting a bit of warmth. This is just up a path from our two snow shelters. While the snow is bonding it is time for some food to get some necessary energy for the next part of our project.

Hot chocolate and some hot food are a necessity out here!. We built quick snow benches to sit on with our bum pads.

 It was really cold but when you build a snow cave you are working hard and so your body stays warmer. The temperature was 6 degrees around 12:30 am when I checked. It was snowing and windy and pretty miserable. It takes time to build a snow shelter and you don't want to cut any corners. You want your shelter to be safe and solid.

After the snow bonds it is time to dig out the snow shelter. While someone is inside digging out, others are on the outside placing pipes in through the walls. The digger has to keep the walls to the desired thickness so they look for the pipes and dig til they see them . After the snow shelter is dug out it is time to wait again for the snow to ice over before you climb in. 

It looks so awesome from in here!

We finally climbed in the cave to sleep at 2:00 am. By then I was calm and happy and excited to be where I was, doing what I was doing! My fears had vanished. I knew I was with capable, experienced snow shelter builders but I had to overcome my own fears. Once in the snow shelter you change out of your wet clothes and put on a new set of snuggly warm ones. The best part is climbing into your sleeping bag. 

 We put a blanket over the door to keep in the warmth. Yes, it is cozy and warm inside a snow shelter. 

My cute snow buddy. Yes, those smiles were genuine! We slept great and were happy to be there!

Look at the strength of our  snow shelter! 

Snow shelters are hard work but where else can you get an adventure like this?  It was so worth it!

Be sure to go with an experienced snow shelter builder or study up on how to do it properly.  

Here's a place you can look for more information: 

http://outdoorswithdave.com/camping/building-snow-cave

What we took with us:

1. Clothing: Base layer- sock liners, thermals, glove liners.  Middle layer-leggings or other polyester pants, warm shirt and or sweater or jacket, Warmth layer- warm socks, snow pants, winter coat, gloves, hat, scarf, boots.
2. Sleep clothing- You need a new, dry set of clothes. Start with new underwear, thermals and some cozy polyester pj's or whatever  you prefer, a warm fleece jacket, a hat for sleeping, some warm socks. Keep your wet clothes at the bottom of your sleeping bag. In the morning they will be dry and ready to put on for the journey out.
3. Personal hygiene- lip balm, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, go-girl- can I say how nice it is to not have to bare all in the freezing cold? Awesome device! But practice before with it at home to be sure you get it right (see www.amazon.com) and TP, take a ziploc bag for your device and used TP to keep it separate, bandana (my choice for runny winter nose)
4. Sleeping- Tarp, we took rolls or carpet pad, closed cell foam pads, fleece sleeping bag liner or blanket, warm sleeping bag
5. Food-We take freeze dried meals. This time for dinner we had Beef Strogonoff from Daily Bread (Delicious!) and Biscuits and Gravy by Mountain House for breakfast, hot chocolate and a bag of snacks including Clif bars, trail mix, beef jerky, fruit snacks and Gardettos. Water put into pouches to keep them from freezing. At night we buried water bottles 14" down in snow. It didn't freeze. You also need to have plenty of water for drinking all through the process and with you in the tent to drink. Plan on drinking lots of water. You will need to replenish and stay hydrated after all your hard work.
6. Eating Gear-We take metal cups with their own cozies made out of closed cell foam, food cozies made out of closed cell foam, spoons,
7. Building gear- pvc pipes cut to our wall size to push into the snow for digging guides, small shovels. We took a wool blanket to put over the door.
8. Cooking gear-We had a stove, gas bottles, a fire barrel, fire wood, a water kettle. We have since thought that we could probably forgo the stove and heat the water on the fire barrel and save ourselves some gear.
9. A sled to put it all in. Bungies to tie the tarp across all the gear for hauling. We had backpacks full of our personal gear. Some of us put them in the sleds and some kept them on our backs. Snow shoes and trekking poles.
10. Take a buddy! 

#4 Night Snowshoe Hike at Guardsman Pass

We're hiking up about a mile in the dark, snowy night. I had never hiked pulling a sled of equipment before. All was beautiful and the hike was not too bad. It is a little tricky to navigate a loaded sled downhill though.

Big Cottonwood Canyon[edit]

Westbound SR-190 through Big Cottonwood Canyon

Signs of urban development quickly disappear as the canyon walls get closer together. The route passes many trailheads and picnic areas within the canyon, as well as historic water- and mining-related infrastructure and a few areas of cabins, before passing Solitude Mountain Resort and looping through Brighton.

Guardsman Pass[edit]

After looping through Brighton, the route connects (with some backtracking) to a narrower mountain road across Guardsman Pass, terminating (with a non-state-maintained connection through to Park City via SR-224 and Midway/Heber City via SR-222) at the top of the pass as it enters Wasatch County. This part of the road is normally closed all winter.

What we took on our journey:

1. Winter clothing Layers:
1. Base Layer- thermals, glove liners, sock liners
2. Warmth layer-snow pants, warm shirts (some wore sweaters), hats, scarfs, gloves, warm socks, snow boots
2. Snowshoes, trekking poleswater, food
3. Water, food
4. Equipment needed for Adventure #5
5. Adventure buddies- this time I have my husband, my 13 year old daughter, our friend Matt and his friend Scott
6. Go-girl 

1. Amazon.com: Go Girl Female Urination Device, Lavender ...

   1. www.amazon.com › ... › Aromatherapy
      

      
      

      Amazon.com, Inc.
      Amazon.com: Go Girl Female Urination Device, Lavender: Health & Personal Care. ...Report abuse · See all 980 customer reviews (newest first)

#2 Elephant Rock

" Write it on your heart that everyday 

is the best day in the year." 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

January 9, 2016. It was 32 degrees. I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, this will show how truly un-adventurous I have previously been, I didn't know that people went hiking in the winter! Ha! Now I've said it! When Max and I went to Elephant Rock I saw that my thinking that hiking wasn't a year round sport was very mis-guided! I love to hike and usually wait for the snow to melt so I can get back at it. The trail to Elephant Rock is well traveled. It is loved year round (Who Knew!- everyone but me apparently). We hiked in January and were laden with equipment that was mostly not needed because the trail is packed. Many of our fellow travelers that day, and there were many, were jogging in their sneakers up the snow packed hill, some were snow shoeing, some had on shoe claws and some wore snow boots. The higher we hiked, the more snow shoes were needed to pack down the deep snow. Not everyone is trying for Elephant Rock. There are lots of joggers that just go a mile or two. At Elephant Rock there are a couple of benches. We brushed off the snow and were about to sit down when a group of 8 or so women came up. We hiked just past the benches, hubby built a snow bench (or shelf) we put down our bum pads and had our lunch.(See equipment list below for more info on bum pads- make yourself one!) We wore snow shoes for a couple of miles heading down, just for the experience! It was a wonderful hike! When I heard 6.8 miles I wasn't sure I could go that distance but it was great and not too difficult. I would hike to Elephant Rock again! There are several different trails in Muller Park. 

 The hike is 6.8 miles round trip. The trail starts out in Muller Park in Bountiful, Utah at 5230 feet elevation. Elephant Rock is at 6255 feet. It's considered a moderate hike. 

Check it out on http:alltrails.com

What a beautiful day!

See that snow covered rock down there? That's it! Elephant Rock

This trail is a short distance from our home (25 minutes?) You don't have to travel far to have some serious winter fun!

A shelter we found on the way back down . We both didn't even see it going up! It was a short way off the trail.

What I took on this hike:

1. Clothing:

    a.  thermals, hiking pants

    b.  shirt and vest

    c.  coat, hat, gloves

 2.  Snow boots and gaiters

 3.  Trekking poles, snow shoes

 4.  Trail lunch, water, bum pad (closed cell foam pad - cut to a 12x12 square to sit on)

 5. Sunglasses

 6. Bandana (for nose), lip balm, hand sanitizer

 7. A buddy. I took my husband Max

 8. Cell phone for pics- you could also download the app found on alltrails.com to help you get there 

#3 Green Pond

"Happiness is not a state to arrive at,

but a manner of traveling."

Margaret Lee Runbeck

I'm excited about this one! A night hike to Green Pond. This trail is up by Snow Basin Ski Resort. This adventure was born out of a desire to find a place to go night snowshoeing. This is a trail we have taken our family on a couple of times in the fall. It isn't very long, .75 each way, nor very strenuous but it's covered in trees and has a great pond at the end for a picnic. 

At night I found that I was a bit more nervous than I expected. I wanted my husband to stay close because I started to scare myself with thoughts of the wild animals that were probably all around us. My husband assured me they were bedded down and I had nothing to worry about. Just a little paranoia. It was a beautiful night. Down in the valley we have inversions in the winter. Up in the mountains the air was clear and oh those stars! So many stars! Beautiful, peaceful, night. 

As we were driving back home the temperature showed it was 0 degrees. I was hoping it would drop one more, just because,  but no luck. It was cold according to the thermometer but we were dressed just right and I wasn't cold at all. 

My first time ever night snowshoeing!

The other exciting part about this adventure is that I got to repeat it twice at night and twice during the day with some of my friends! I love how others are wanting to try out some of my adventures. I loved sharing this trail with them.

At the Pond. There it is under the snow!

 Here's an article about the trail with  summer pics so you can see how beautiful it is when the trees are leafy and green!  http://www.sltrib.com/coolstuff/

Night time winter equipment for a short hike:

1.  Dress for the weather
     a.  Thermals
     b.  Snow pants
      c.  Warm shirt or sweater
     d.  Coat, gloves, hat, scarf
2.  Snow shoes
3.  Headlamp or flashlight
4.  Trekking poles, optional
5.  We had taken a sled with a fire barrel, wood and lighter. We propped the fire barrel on some wood. It was a fun treat to have some hot chocolate at Green Pond. You could also have a thermos full in the car for when you finish.
6.  Water to drink, always a necessity!
7.  Take a buddy. It's more fun and safer too.

Day time winter equipment for a short hike:

1.  Dress for the weather
     a.  snow pants
     b.  warm shirt
     c.  coat, gloves, hat
2.  Snow shoes
3.  Trekking poles, optional
4.  Water to drink
5.  Sunglasses
6.  A buddy- it's a lot more fun to go with a friend or two or 15!