Lazarow World-Hike-About

A strenuous hike in another beautiful region to reach a lake surrounded by towering mountains. The 7 mile round-trip to gain more than 2,200 feet over some rocky terrain proves once again the hidden and overt beauty of this region, within the greater Salt Lake City district. It's not easy to find an area which contains so much of everything within a relatively small locale.  Tip-toe through the trees, shrubs and unknown. On the way up, we play peek-a-boo with a mule deer. After a 3.5 mile ascent, we reach the lake. The surroundings are overpowering. They usually are. Same lake, different position. In the early stages, we look at Little Cottonwood Canyon Road. Moving through a quiet avenue. The streams delivering our life-blood, always comforting and fascinating. Mom keeps an eye on us. Each day, we enjoy brunch in spectacular locations—truly a blessing. Cheers,  Jenni and Jeffrey

A view of Ceret Lake and the amazing cirque from close to Sugarloaf Peak. After completing at least 12 hikes in the Greater Salt Lake City region, we have a reasonable amount of experience in the area. However, in this compact set of mountains, if these giants can be compartmentalized, we have seen the beauty, the wonder, and sheer brutality of the region. (For the record, including current hikes and those of the past, it still amounts to a fraction available). Today was an example of all three descriptions mentioned earlier: Wrapped, strapped, and ready to go.   Unfortunately, no one told us what to expect in the package and thus, we found out the old-fashioned way—supreme effort, much sweat and a smidgen of fear. The question to ask is had we known of the dangers of the trail (and sheer climb), would we have pursued the hike? It’s a good question and we’d obviously like to answer in the affirmative. With humility, we seldom turn away from a trail. Perhaps a clue would be de...

Utah continues to fascinate, entertain and challenge us. The former two verbs create very pleasant experiences, the latter, 'no comment'.  Blanche Lake is terrific but then there's also Mary ("and Peter, Paul") and Red Pines and Desolation Lake and...  A nice surprise. We're not allowed to swim in Blanche Lake. Probably pollute it for the moose. Delightful reflections of life. Rising over the rocks finally, brings one to the lake, near on 3,000 feet from the commencement. Jen beginning the trek home. We're in the Twin Peaks Wilderness. Who could guess how the name came about? Overpowering wilderness. Part of the hike feels like it's through botanical gardens, only rougher, steeper and unforgiving. Maude Alge often comments that photographs are like paintings. This one probably fits the bill. Early in the hike, we enjoy flowing water. Makes a change from the deserts. Should it be close to 11:30am, Jenni will be making final prep...

The temperatures remain high, reaching close to the nineties at ground level. However, in the mountains, it's common to enjoy twenty to thirty degrees cooler mornings, even more in the early part of a hike. Wonderful! The lower temperatures affect more than the air; they begin to influence the forests, too.  Our favorite season in the mountains (and everywhere else.) A stiff but rewarding climb ahead.     Late bloomer? On the way down from the peak, an 'ever bloomer' meets periodic blooms. Cheers,  Jenni and Jeffrey