#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!