50.27 Utah: Jack's Peak: More than Enough Snow for Jen—she summons a ride. Not Lyft, not Uber, not Jeffrey's shoulders—the woman has class (or is spoilt rotten).

Not too bad a start to the day.
A rough (steep) beginning but no snow at this altitude.

Jen ploughs through the snow to arrive at Jack's Peak.
Jen takes in the surrounds and states, "Enough. I'm not hiking down." 

"Okay," I reply, "But there aren't that many alternatives. There's Mount Wire across the way. You complained last week, too when you had to walk down."

What's that?" she declares. 

"That's another mountain. It's of no use to you seeing you've had enough."

"No. That there." 

"That's Salt Lake City. But you don't like cities, so you tell me."

"No, silly. That thing in the air." 

"No. Tell me you're not serious. That's a helicopter." 

"Exactly. Call him for me." 

Note the tower on Mount Wire, a little faint...then see a close-up, below.

Mount Wire, a tough hike (See above for perspective.)

"Have you gone nuts? You're losing it, Girl." 

"Stand on the peak and signal him." 

"And you expect him to respond, Sweetheart?"

"I'll wait here. Go on. Wave your hands. Pretend you're talking with someone—you know, talk with your hands, you're good at it."

"Have you any idea how complicated and expensive this is going to be?

I could not believe it. The pilot lowered the orange bag so I could place my 'old bag" into it and off he flew.

And there she goes, dropped gently into someone's backyard at ground-level. 

  Meanwhile back at the ranch (peak), the dodo is left alone to make his way down the mountain. Who's the smart one?"

The treat is mine as the sights are delightful 

  My marker. The skyscraper is the last big building on the north side of the city, the Capitol, further right.

For the record, some of our blogs have evoked reactions not intended. Therefore, we would suggest should we ever offer to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge, no matter how good the deal appears, walk away, maybe run. 

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

50.26 (Part A) Utah: Salt Lake City outskirts. Mount Wire and Red Butte, colors and positions to live for.

The odd color here and there. Our friends, Maude and Theo Alge, suggested counting the various colors. We'll take a pass but a nice idea.

It goes without saying that the foliage speaks for itself, certainly more dramatic than our words could ever attain. Therefore, with a few exceptions, we'll let the pictures choose their own captions.

A repeat photograph, but one obviously favored, on the peak near Mount Wire.

Downtown Salt Lake City from 'the Wire'.

Jen reaches one of the peaks surrounding Mount Wire, a better one in our opinion.

Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey 

50.23 Utah: Bell Falls: The bell tolls favorably upon them (for) whom complete this hike in Earnest.

"You light up my life."
"Let there be light" and there was in abundance and it was bright.
We've been fortunate to enjoy much variation in hikes, scenery, challenges and of course, a comfortable bed in the Salt Lake City suburb. Hot and cold running water has had a major impact on our lives. I find Jen does not smell that bad these days. (Oops! If that gets through, I'll be most surprised). 

By the way, when we mentioned our indulgence of ice-cream the other day, we omitted to reveal having a full-size freezer in the suite makes it possible.

This hike was close to the city but after a few steep steps, we could have been anywhere in the wilderness. We are running out of superlatives for the region. Nevertheless, we continue searching. The week of this hike was one in which we undertook solid research but found of the five hiking days, three involved additional climbing and walking because we missed junctions, were misdirected once, or just blinded by the spectacular colors. It never worries us to do extra because after all, who are the beneficiaries. 

Of course, getting lost (which we weren't), is never a pleasant experience. This is a good juncture to remind ourselves of David of Durango, who gave us a ride when we were lost on a mountain in that region many years ago. We never forget and hope that the stars always shine upon that young man.

Should you commence your day with some exercise and this sight, perhaps it will be a special one, indeed.
We can't find our way home, too harsh on the eyes. Toward the beginning of the trail.

Our first sighting of Bell Falls, an extraordinary flow of water.
I said to someone on the trails, 'A good altitude can make all the difference'. He looked at me strangely and hurried off.
It's not an easy place to reach, especially below the falls, as it's rugged, wet and slippery. Jen made it easily though.
Far better to go to the upper falls where danger lurks. Can't say it's the most intelligent of behavior. Jenni did warn me and I have to admit the scramble to that position had my fear level rising.  

 "How about I get a chance to 'wet my bum'?" I asked the youngster.

Then it got nasty when he threatened to throw me over the falls. I protested, "I did not bring a swimsuit. Besides, if Jenni sees you threaten me, you're in big trouble."

That was enough to put Chris in his place, sit down and sulk. People tend to underestimate how ferocious Jenni can be. Ask me, I've seen that behavior...I think it was in a nightmare I had years ago.
Scenes such as this change one's perspective of the world, of life.
Slow motion fall.
We can't get enough but we're trying. Some think, 'very trying', as we approach the trailhead on our return.
Jen will roll her eyes when I try to justify another lake picture. What can I do? I spend my life either in awe or worrying what she'll say.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey

50.24 Utah: Alta: Cardiff climb in serious snow for two 'non-snowbirds'.

  We suppose one has to accept all types of weather, conditions and challenges. To refuse them means that a person would spend much time indoors. We've found that, especially with rain, on most occasions we are able to walk 'between the raindrops'. Expressed a little more succinctly, a person has to plan wisely, play the odds against the chance of rain percentages, most importantly, be bold and finally, find a weather forecaster with a more favorable outlook. We do get wet but less often than one would expect. 

  When I did military service (1970), I was in the armored corp. There was a saying that went something like this: "A troep wat nie a kans vat is nie 'n troep nie." Like most translations, something gets lost. Basically, a trooper has to follow the rules but if you don't take a chance and ignore the rules at times, you're not really a trooper. 

The good news is that Jenni is showing a lot of characteristics of a troepie. "Ja-nee".

Here is a good example.   

'How dem slopes?' the Texans might say, should they have mountains.
Finding a dry patch, two minutes respite.
The station on Hidden Peak, a place we've hiked to on 3 occasions, each a different route.
Hidden Peak viewed 3 weeks before from a similar position. This was our first repeat hike because the snow caught us off-guard, in our planning for that day. It amounted to a fallback position.
Jen moves down over a tricky section. No handrails! See picture below.
Similar position to that above.
Stripped bare, toward the beginning.
Three weeks before, close to the trailhead.
It's a different experience, 'yep' it sure is. In hot summers, we whine for winter. In winters, we pine for hot summers. We're pretty easy to please.
Some slippery but gorgeous slopes.
Cheers, 

Jenni and Jeffrey