Wasatch Hike – 9/10/2013 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014 (Wednesday)

Had to get up real early (for us) – 7:15 AM. Yuck. But we were excited because we were going on a hike to Secret Lake. It’s about a 3 mile hike – going from 9,300 foot elevation to 10,000 foot elevation. We met over at the Snowbird Center at 8:30 AM. While we were waiting at the center, we saw two men who were fully dressed in lederhosen for the Snowbird Oktoberfest that happens on weekends here through October. Pretty neat.

Very pretty day. Cool, about 44 degrees.

There were seven of us on the hike – the leaders Adam and Krissy, Richard, Pat, Wes, Michael and I. With the exception of Adam and Krissy, we were all in our 60’s so I was thinking it would be an easy hike. WRONG. Michael and I were both gasping for air at several points along the way. Beautiful hike. We got to see mule deer, marmots, picas, and chipmunks. Also got to see some beautiful flowers and eat some currents. Wes and Adam were really knowledgeable and would point out interesting things. So glad we went but we are so sore (and going to get worse tomorrow I fear). Also glad Michael got me the hiking shoes because the others wouldn’t have been enough grip on some of the rocks we had to go over.

Wes was a fount. He is a rock hound and has a wonderful knowledge of geology. I learned a lot from him.

Our guide pointed out these sea shells. Wes advised it was actually coral.

We are above 9,000 feet and this life captured in the rock was from about 360 million years ago.

Once the bottom of an ancient sea floor.

Wes helped me understanding odd formations in the rock. — Wes helped me understand odd formations in the rock.

lots of beautiful views. — The bark beetle was killing some of the trees.

Limestone with fractures that filled in with calcium.

The calcium precipitates out of the rock and fills the cracks. — The calcium precipitates out of the rock in the rain and fills the cracks.

We saw pica's and mule deer. — We saw pica’s and mule deer.

Late 1800's miners home. — Late 1800’s miner home.

Nice views. Pretty woman in blue. — Nice views. Pretty woman in blue talking with Wes.

Adam, Richard, Krissy. — Adam, our guide, Richard, a fellow hiker and Krissy, who brought up the rear and made sure everyone made it back..

Adam, Richard, Krissy, Pat, — Adam, Richard, Krissy, and Wes.

Sandstone, baked by magma, under pressure, turned into quartzite.

Was a fun trail. — Was a fun trail with little streams.

We got back from the hike (around noon) and almost immediately headed out to Salt Lake City – WalMart – to get the rest of Michael’s medications. Before we went to WalMart, we stopped at a little Mexican restaurant and had linner. Michael had a burrito and enchilada, and I had a guacamole tostado. Very good.

We got to WalMart, got the medications, and then headed up the canyon back home. We’re tired. Once we got home we got into our swimsuits, took the laundry to the laundry room, loaded up the laundry, and then went to the hot tub. Felt so good to alternate from the hot tub to the pool. This is my favorite pool so far. Such a beautiful view and such a warm temperature that isn’t shocking. Was nice getting the laundry done while we were in the pool.

We had the 25 person hot tub all to ourselves.

When we got too hot we'd shuttle over to the pool. — When we got too hot we’d shuttle over to the pool.

We are back in our room, tired (Michael is actually snoring as I write this). Going to go to bed early, take some Ibuprofen, and maybe lather up with Voltaren. That was our day. Hope yours was great!