Mt. Aire, Millcreek Canyon, Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah- October 2023

With winter rapidly approaching, and the upper road in Millcreek Canyon closing on Novmeber 1st, I took the opportunity to hike one of my favorite steep trails, Mount Aire! I got a parking spot and headed on in. Its the tail end of fall, so most of the leaves have come off the trees. But if you looked around, there was still some color to enjoy. The bridge is out at the Lambs Canyon junction, so be aware of that. The wind was brisk as I made the steep climb up to the saddle.

Upon reaching the saddle, I took a few minutes to drink some water before finishing the climbg to the summit. There are four very long climbing swithcbacks to go up to get to the top. The views continue to get better with each on you complete. Finally I topped out at 8,613 feet USGS! The views from the top were glorious! I took some time to just rest and take in the views while I was up there. After a bit it was time to make the return trip back to the Jeep!

The hike down was wonderful! The temps were perfect and the wind let up and the clouds cleared! I really enjoyed myself on the way down to the trailhead. Enjoy the pics! Be sure to check out My YouTube edit! More adventures to come!

Fifth Water Hot Springs, Uinta National Forest, Utah- October 2023

I decided to visit a favorite trail of mine, Fifth Water Fork of Diamond Fork Canyon in the Uinta National Forest. It was a full trailhead lot with only one parking spot available and I quickly claimed that. I put on the pack and headed on in. The light through the trees was providing beautiful color with the fall leaves still on the trees. It was a crisp Ocotber morning and I was happy with the cool temps on trail. This trail is not one for vistas and views, as much as it is the sound of running water and the colors that the trees put off in this place. It was a nice stroll for the firsty mile till I got to the bridge.

The rest of the way up was a hall of color. Reds, Yellows, and some Pink Leaves lined the trail as the last hold outs in the trees added a layer of color that was spectacular. This was a perfect day to visit this place and I was thrilled with every step to be here!

Arriving at the springs, I found it very busy at the falls. No matter, I have a secret spot I visit while I am here. I headed there and hopped in the swim trunks and got myself a nice soak. My right foot had been having some problems, and my soak in the tub seemed to really help it. After a bit I packed it up and made my way out. This was a really fun fall hike and so nice to revisit this magical place! Enjoy the pics and check out the YouTube video from this hike! More adventures to come!

2023 Annular Solar Eclipse Hike, Wasatch Mountains, Utah- October 2023

This year presented something that I will remember forever. A once in a lifetime chance to see an annular solar eclipse over Utah was upon us! Ocotber 14th, 2023, our area was in for a 80% eclipse, and I wanted to see if I could get some timelapse and an image from this cosimc event. I decided to not travel and deal with the crowds to see the totality. 80% here was going be enough to make it interesting. I hit a local trail near my home and started the hike just as the Moon was taking its first bite out of the Sun. It was pretty hiking in. Most of the front range was still in shadow, and there was a very nice Sundog showing off right over the ridge. I made it to my spot and began to set up my gear to try to capture this event.

Shortly after setting up my filters it went totality! As the camera gear ran, I watched through my eclipse glasses and it was quite the sight to see! It was like a halo around the moon that rotated around it as the sun went across the sky during totality! When totality ended the sun looked like a cheese wheel that the moon was taking smaller bites off of it before it moved completely off the sun! What a cool experince to hike to a beautiful sopt and experince this!

After a thrilling eclipse I wanted to loop hike my way out of the canyon and enjoy some of the fall colors on display! I am so glad that I did! The colors were fantastic and such a treat on trail. The leaves in sections covered the trail creating quite the experience with the light. A feast for the eyes to say the least. I had such a great time on this hike! Enjoy the pics and timelapse! Be sure to check out my YouTube video from this hike! More adventures to come!