The Pfeifferhorn from up in MaybirdOn July 21st I hiked into Maybird Gulch from the Whitepine Trailhead in Little Cottonwood Canyon. This trailhead is located about six miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon on the right side of the road. It is a very popular trailhead for Salt Lake City residents and will fill up early on the weekends. The trailhead gives access to three different lakes basins- Whitepine, Redpine and Maybird- all about 3.5 miles from the trailhead. Last year I hiked up to Redpine lake and Pfeifferhorn and loved it (chronicled on this blog). Today I will hike into Maybird Gulch which is 3.75 miles one way and approximately 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
The hike: Leaving the canyon the trail climbs steadily out of the canyon passing the trail junctions for Whitepine first ( aprroximately 1.5 miles from trailhead) and Maybird Gulch second at 2.5 miles. Each junction is clearly marked with trail signs. The trail to Maybird leaves the Redpine trail and crosses the creek before climbing into Maybird Gulch. Snowbird received a record 780 inches of snow so their was still extensive snow in Maybird Gulch making it necessary for some route finding skills. However, the hike offered great views of Little Cottonwood Canyon and the Pfeifferhorn. This year the wildflowers in the Wasatch were pushed back because of high snow levels in the Wasatch.
Penstemon up in the canyon
Columbine off the trail
Cottonwood Canyon from the trails
One of the avalanche shoots on the northern side of the road
Extensive snow in the gulch
Hey Brett - Its fun to read about the cool places you've been visiting! Glad someone is getting out and enjoying, even with the late snow in some areas. I had a great week up in the Frank Church Wilderness earlier this month and saw a little bit of snow on the 25+ mile backpack out across the Salmon River. We saw lots of wildflowers there too. FYI your 'monkey flowers' are really penstemons. :) Hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the clarification. I will make the cange as soon as possible.
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