Hiking to Cecret Lake

Grandma Stoker wanted to take us on a hike she had done about this same time of year with her sister Jane and some of Jane's grandchildren.  the hike was at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon above Alta to Cecret Lake.  Julie's kids were sick so it was just Kirk's family, Kara, Darcie, Arik and me, and Grandma. 

After getting lost a few times and a couple U-turns, we ended up at the trailhead.  Below are the before pictures.  Don't we all look peppy and fresh?

 

Off we go up this trail. 

 

 

The wildflowers were blooming everywhere. Summer is a short three

months in the Albion Basin which averages more than 50 feet of snow per year.

 

 

 

We had to cross over a few small streams.  Most of the time we could step over or step across on the rocks.  A few feet got wet. 

 

 

Now we are starting to spread out along the trail.

 

 

 

Then rest on a few rocks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a super steep final climb, we reach Cecret Lake. 

 

 

 

 

 It was worth the steep hike climb up - an easy trail for people used to hiking in the mountains - but a tough one for Virginia softies hiking at over 10,000 feet. 

 

 

Kirk carried Quinn the whole way plus a whole lot of water.  He says he is the pack mule when his family goes on hikes and walks. 

 

 

We discovered potguts who were very interested in us and had no fear of approaching.  Potgut is the local slang name for the Uinta Ground Squirrel (thank you Google). 

 

After lunch, Kirk took the kids around the lake so they could touch the snow.  It was harder, longer, and more difficult than anyone expected.  If you blow this picture up really big you will see Kirk in white, Isabelle in red, Arik in black and the other kids hidden among the rocks (like Where's Waldo). 

While Kirk was on his Pied Piper adventure with the kids, some dark clouds gathered and we heard thunder and felt some raindrops.  Time to go.  The sky was bright blue when we started the hike but gray and raining by the time we reached the parking lot. 

 

Kara in blue at the top.  Arik in black on the side climbing up.  Also on top are Darcie, Seth, Emmeline, and Isabelle

Arik got his mojo back toward the bottom of the trail and wanted me to take his and Seth's picture on this rock. 

 

The End