Big Water/Little Water Loop to Dog Lake, Millcreek Canyon, Wasatch-Cache National Forest- October 2022

Warmtober continues and though I have wrapped up my Uintas adventures for the year, the Wasatch had one more day in store before moving to winter. I have a Millcreek Canyon pass and I had not been up there yet this year with it. I decided to hike the Big Water/Little Water Loop up to Dog Lake. This is a favorite of mine because it has such a variety of terrain and things to see, and it gives you a feeling of what the Wasatch looked like historically. I made my way up to the Great Western Junctionon the Big Water Trail, then kept climbing the Big Water side. Most of the trees have lost their leaves, but there was still color and leaf litter everywhere. The ocassional tree was still holding its golden leaves.

After 2.5 miles I came to the Big Water/Little Water split, and headed up to Dog Lake. Thes temps here for Mid-October were absolutely perfect! A short hike up hill, then down to Dog Lake! There were a few people, and of course K-9 friends playing and chasing sticks into the water! I personally don't have a dog, so I walked myself to Dog Lake. The views were beautiful and I circled the lake. As the sun headed west, the light became beautiful up there! The lake view of Reynolds Peak was spectacular and the one last hold out aspen with leaves by the lake was awesome!

The Little Water Trail to complete the loop is not as long as the Big Water Trail, but has much steeper sections. On the way down I found the last of the fall colors in groves in the aspens. The light mixed with the golden colors was so amazing! I spent some time just wandering up hill off the trail to see them. Gorgeous last of the fall colors for sure! The trail had shadow the rest of the way out for it being evening. This was the last warm day of fall as the very next day our mountains got anywhere from 1-2 fee of snow! Enjoy the pics! It was a great day hiking! Looks like winter had reclaimed the high terrain. So foothill hiking and the winter activities are on tap! If you liked this blog post make sure you watch my YouTube video from this trip that I have linked below! Please like, share, and subscribe! More adventures to come!