One of the hardest things about wearing heels most of the day is walking in flats for an extended period of time. However, after sustaining a large cut and bruise on my leg from a non-hiking related incident [sometimes you have to sacrifice for a great photo op] I felt it best that I make this hike in tennis shoes. With the straight incline, my calves and shins were screaming, but the views made it worth it. Had I worn heels on the way up, my legs would have loved me, but they would have cried on the descent.
Forget a stairmaster, Mill D is uphill ... one way. A constant incline, you definitely feel it in your thighs, but the grade is not so severe to say that it's difficult. There is one dip just past a grove of Aspens where the path meets the creek, but that is your only ascent on the way back. The disparity in travel time: 57 minutes up and a mere 37 minutes back.
At the top of Mill D, the trail splits; stay to the right and you'll end up at Desolate Lake in 1.5 miles. Stay to the left and you'll make it to Dog Lake in 0.6. The sign was severely damaged when I made it, but others have carved directions into the post if you get confused. To much disappointment, it became clear as the clouds took on a pinkish hue that my race against the sun would not allow me to choose either path. It will have to be revisited when I have more daylight.
The aspens mixed in with the pines bring in some of that intoxicating pine fragrance found in the Donut Falls path. The path follows the edge of the mountain with a rushing creek below, which meets the path at about the 40 minute mark. The incredible variety of flora, the deep rust and copper color of the rocks in the bed of the creek, and groves of trees make this hike worth the thigh master burn. I did run into a deer on my way down, but she was kind enough to let me have the right of way.
The path is used substantially by bikers. While hikers do have the right of way, I was more than happy to step aside as they were coming down the path knowing that they were managing more with that kind of descent than I was on foot.
Apparel: Black Gap Lounge Pants, Gray South Brunswick Basketball t-shirt, Black Military Style Zip-Up Jacket.
Shoes: Orange, Black & Gray New Balance cross trainers.
Directions: 9.6 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Trailhead is on the north side of the road. There is sufficient parking. The trail is well marked and worn approximately 1.8 miles from the trailhead. The elevation gain is 1520 feet to 8760 feet.
I did it! I made it to Donut Falls in great time, in good weather, and in my 4 inch canvas wedges. There are reasons this is a very popular hike. The tall evergreens intermingled among the aspens fragrant the air in a soothing pine scent, an aroma therapy you can't beat. The rhythm of your feet on a well packed trail compliments the babbling water below, enticing you toward the source.
The incline is gradual making it a nice evening hike. My roundtrip time from trailhead to the falls took about 1 hour 5 minutes, allowing time for photos, waiting for youth groups to clear out of shots, and allowing others to come down the falls before proceeding upwards.
I was successful in hiking up and scaling the falls with dry feet in my wedges, but like many hiking shoe clad patrons, the way down was a bit of a splash. Overall, the hike was rewarding but not horribly demanding. A great hike for families. I've seen some recommending the same for the elderly, while the walk up would fit, getting to la piece de resistance requires climbing down some boulders. So unless grandma is quite flexible, leaving her before the falls might be a bit of a let down.
Apparel: Adidas track pants and John Lennon 1974 Worn Free Hoodie.Shoes: Green camo canvas 4" wedges
Directions: I-215 to exit 6, South on Route 190, turn right into Big Cottonwood Canyon. The road to the trail head is 9 miles up the canyon across from the Mill D trail head [about a 18 minute drive]. There is a huge "Permit Required" sign at the entrance of the road -- note that requirement applies to winter camping. Proceed up the road at 20 mph, through the private driveway area, and onto a graveled road. The gravel road has several potholes that come up suddenly on the way up and are more obvious on the way down. Parking is very limited at the trail head, though on a weekday evening night, there should be ample room. Note that the gate to the trail closes at 10PM so make sure you have enough time to make it up and back so you're not locked in!
Today I made my second attempt at finding and hiking the Donut Falls Trail. Chalk it up to the naivete of a city girl in the country, but note that GPS, Smartphones, and the like do not get reception in Big Cottonwood Canyon! I rarely print out directions to things because I always have my iPhone, which in this rare instance, failed me. While I remembered the description of the trail head, I failed to pay attention to just how far up the Canyon it was.
Yesterday, as it turns out, I was nearly there, however, I turned around thinking that perhaps that when I read Mill D, that I actually read Mill B, which comes up at about the 5 mile mark. Turns out the right mark is Mill D which is about 9 miles up.
One of the difficulties of trying to fit in hikes right after work is that I am not only trying to find trail heads, but also racing the sun. Today I made it the 9 miles up to the trail head just in time, with about 45 minutes of daylight to go, when I was met with lightening, hail and rain. Admittedly, I'm a chicken when it comes to thunderstorms.
So hopefully the third time will be the charm and I'll make it on the trail tomorrow.
I do have to say, the drive is fantastic, with all the twists and turns in the road, it was a great opportunity to see how my S40 handles. It made me love my car even more. I do not recommend racing the roads, or checking lipgloss in the mirror as you drive. There are many bikers, hikers, and other vehicles that make multi-tasking far too risky. But I do recommend cranking up the radio, enjoying the view, and leaning into some great hairpin turns.
One of the hardest things about wearing heels most of the day is walking in flats for an extended period of time. However, after sustaining a large cut and bruise on my leg from a non-hiking related incident [sometimes you have to sacrifice for a great photo op] I felt it best that I make this hike in tennis shoes. With the straight incline, my calves and shins were screaming, but the views made it worth it. Had I worn heels on the way up, my legs would have loved me, but they would have cried on the descent.
The aspens mixed in with the pines bring in some of that intoxicating pine fragrance found in the Donut Falls path. The path follows the edge of the mountain with a rushing creek below, which meets the path at about the 40 minute mark. The incredible variety of flora, the deep rust and copper color of the rocks in the bed of the creek, and groves of trees make this hike worth the thigh master burn. I did run into a deer on my way down, but she was kind enough to let me have the right of way.
