Mar 3 - White Pine Lake Trail (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

Today will be my first attempt to get to White Pine Lake in the winter. It'll be a partly sunny day in the mid-50s (even in the mountains). And since we really haven't had much snow since the end January, the trail should be packed (at least part of the way) and most importantly, the avalanche danger is very low.

To be honest I have no idea how far I will get - once I can't find a decent trail or I starting sinking above my shins with every step, it's time to turn around.

The lower parts of Little Cottonwood are starting to look a bit snow-free now -- mostly depending if the area is in the shade or sun. Bet I can find some bflies (Commas, Mourning Cloaks) on the Little Cottonwood trail if I walk it today.

But there is plenty of snow at the White Pine Trail head (7700ft) and a good number of folks already out at about 9:30am. I gear up and head out - not needing a jacket or fleece this morning as it's already 54 degrees.

I start my hike on nice hard-packed snow.

I can hear water running from the stream I'm approaching. Wow! The footbridge has over 3 ft of snow on it; anymore the snow will be over the railings!

Along the stream there are some really deep piles snow!

I continue on towards the Red and White Pine Trail split about 0.8 miles ahead.

I reach split. There's a creek here but I can't hear the running water as it's covered in feet of snow. If I were to continue to Red Pine (which seems to be the popular spot with X-country skiers this morning (6 of them)) I would cross over the snow-covered creek. I'm not going that way but I walk over for a look. There are 2 big deep holes in the snow - below, the running creek!

Time to head the other direction towards White Pine Lake. I know the trail now heads up a couple of switchbacks to a viewpoint at 1.4 miles. But what I didn't realize was what the switchbacks look like covered in deep snow. It is not a nice level trail cutting flat through the steep mountain side. Nope, it is sloping very narrow path that makes one walk funny (one foot uphill, one foot downhill) in hopes of not slipping/sliding while trying to get across. Kinda freaky stuff for me - but I made it up them (whew)! Not looking forward to crossing that again on the way back.

At the viewpoint (1.4 miles) the views are pretty nice down canyon. I can see across the Salt Lake valley to the Oquirrh Mountains - clear as day (no inversion).

The final switchback after the viewpoint is actually wider, less steep and I don't mind crossing. I can see a nice round-top mountain in front of me.

The trail finally turns southwest and flattens as it starts heading thru woods and openings. It's really pretty!

It's very quiet out but finally, I actually wake-up some wildlife -- squirrels. I can't see them but there are at least 3. The one starts calling to my left as I pass. It stops and another to my right starts. He stops and one ahead of me starts. Then its back to the one on my left. When I pass, it's quiet again.

I exit the woods to a little meadow with some open water.

Then back into the woods again. I exit into a bigger meadow (with lots of hills), I've got the views of mountains that I was hoping for today - Wow!

I continue along. Many more "trails" now from back country skiers. A little more difficult to find the "right" trail but I move towards those wonderful mountains.

I'm now stopped by the hills in front of me - basically the trail is ended - but I decide to follow a ski track (it's pretty solid, not sinking very deep) up a hill to see what the views are from up there.

Not too shabby!

I probably shouldn't continue but I want to see what's up the next hill. I continue to the next set of hills.

I can take the high route or a bit lower route. I try the high route which wasn't bad until the section rounding the hill. I take a couple steps and then end up post holing. Thank goodness for hips as I have no idea how much farther I would've sank. :) (There's still an 80+ inch base at the resorts.) Since I am already sitting, I spin, carefully get myself up (don't want the other leg to sink too - that would be really funny) and decide to turn back -- at least I tried.

I get down and then decide to try the less high route. I make it up and round the hill - again, Wow! Best views of the day!

I've had a great day; seen incredible views, and I think I've pushed as far I feel safe so it's time to head back. I just follow my tracks back to the main trail. Not a bad view heading back to the trail head either.

As I head down, I see a white ermine (weasel) scurry across the trail ahead. He stops and I can see his little head looking at me behind a pile of snow. Then he disappears.

I have lunch near that spot in hope he would show himself again. He never shows so I continue on.

Awesome, incredible day!