Alpine Loop

Alpine Loop, originally uploaded by SoPhast.

This 20-mile drive winds through rugged alpine canyons of the Wasatch Range offering stupendous views of Mount Timpanogos and other glacier-carved peaks. The route follows Utah Hwy. 92 up American Fork Canyon and then continues through Uinta National Forest into Provo Canyon on U.S. 189. Timpanogos Cave National Monument and Robert Redford's Sundance are located along the route.

The Secret of Cecret Lake

Cecret Lake Shoreline, originally uploaded by SoPhast.

Another late evening hike up Little Cottonwood Canyon in the fall. Is there any place on earth more stunning that this...maybe? But this is pretty amazing.

Cecret Lake (pronounced like Secret) is a small alpine lake in Albion Basin near Alta, Utah. This area is also part of the Wasatch National Forest. Cecret Lake is also a protected watershed for Salt Lake City, Utah. It is not known why the name was spelled with a C instead of an S. Assumptions are that it was named by a miner working in the area. Ironically the USGS maps spell it with an "S."

A River Runs Thru Us

I went out on a Sunday evening to clear out the cobwebs and stretch the legs before Monday morning so I headed up to Millcreek Canyon. Kami was home grading papers and I was itching for some new photos, so I grabbed my gear and head to the Mt. Aire trailhead. It's about a 1 3/4 mile hike up a relatively steep trail with an elevation gain of 1,991 feet. The summit is at 8,261 ft. This time of year the weather is spectacular and this trail didn't disappoint. Lamb’s Canyon,Gobbler's Knob, Parleys Canyon, Mt. Olympus, and the Big and Little Cottonwood canyons are all visible from the summit starting above the pass.

Millcreek Falls 3, originally uploaded by SoPhast

Not too far below the summit in just through some aspen groves I came across a few moose.  The bull had already headed into the thick before I could get my camera out, but the cow stopped and looked my way for a Bullwinkle candid. Cool.

  

Millcreek Canyon Moose

I also had some fair views across the valley in all it's fall splendor, which is even more amazing. I just can't believe how lucky I am to live out here. I head out of our house, drive up the road and BAM! I'm in the mountains...with my pick of canyons to choose from; Millcreek, Parleys, Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood. A short drive further and I can head up Alpine Canyon to Mt. Timpanogos or through Provo Canyon and head up to Sundance. It really is a gluttony of wild outdoors here.

Sky in the Lake

Sky in the Lake, originally uploaded by SoPhast.

Or is it the Lake in the Sky. In between the storms and monsoon-like rains, the skies clear for one of the most brilliant natural light shows on earth...sunset over the Great Salt Lake.

The Sole Tree

The Sole Tree, originally uploaded by SoPhast.

Another tree...this one with shoes in it. The soles of past souls.

Tree Ent

Tree Ent, originally uploaded by SoPhast.

Traveling home from Cedar City, I took a quick trip up into a canyon to shoot some photos. I found this great looking tree from the road and went to take a few shots of it and headed back to the car. I looked back at the tree and for some reason wanted to go shoot a few more. So I headed back to the tree, and upon closer inspection...found this little guy carved into the tree. I couldn't help but reminded of the Ents from J.R.R Tolkien's novel, The Lord of the Rings.

In the Shadow of Light

Southern Utah, originally uploaded by SoPhast.

Just north of St. George, UT is where I got lost...if only for a moment. Everyone should get lost in the desert. This here is Abbey country.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Most of us lead lives of chaotic improvisation from day to day, bawling for peace while plunging grimly into fresh disorders.

Damp, humid green all over the place- gives the country an unhealthy look. I guess I really am a desert rat. The sound of all these verdant leafy things breathing and sweating and photosynthesizing around me all the time makes me nervous. Trees, I believe (in the ardor of my prejudice), like men, should be well spaced off from one another, not more than one to a square mile. Space and scarcity give us dignity. And liberty. And thereby beauty. -EA