Millcreek Ridge Traverse
It is becoming an annual tradition for me and friend Joe to traverse the Millcreek ridge from Mt. Grandeur to Mt Air. This past Saturday was my third year for this snowshoe hike from the base of the West side of Mt Grandeur to Mt. Aire summit. I met Joe at his home in Millcreek at 5AM. We drove in seperate vehicles up to the winter gate in Millcreek Canyon where I left my car. We drove back down canyon and then around the corner to the trailhead car park. We Began hiking at 5:50AM in darkness and fog. We set in a quick pace up the mountainside trail and I was strong enough to keep up with Joe. We arrived at the summit of Grandeur in 1:45, snapped a few photos of the pretty sunrise, then quickly hiked down the other side toward our next leg of the route.
The trail down the East side of Grandeur was packed so snowshoes were not necessary. A short time later we donned our snowshoes when we left the main trail to follow the top of the ridgeline connecting Grandeur to Churchfork Peak. Last year we made a wrong turn in this area and began following a spur ridge North instead of East. I realized we had gone the worng way when I could see we were moving toward I-80 in Parley's canyon. We had to backtrack up through deep snow and right our course. This year, Joe made sure we stayed on the correct route, and because of this, combinded with the good snow conditions, we made excellent time.
The distance from Grandeur to Church Fork peak looks deceptively close, and as the crow flies, it probably is. But it took us 2 hours to reach our second peak. I arrived at the summit rock pile about 30 seconds after Joe and simply said "Let's keep going." From Church Fork Peak to Mt Aire is another long section of ridge characterized by deep snow and a winding route. It took another 2 hours to summit Mt Aire. The hike up Mt. Aire was the most difficult snowshoeing of the say. We had to break trail, and the snow was heavy and crusty. At the summit we met two skiers and chatted for 15 minutes. Our plan for the day had been to continure to Millvu Peak about a mile further, but Joe's feet were getting cold and he was set on finishing the day where we were.
We hiked down the trail and connected with the Elbow Fork trail, then we emerged onto the canyon road and removed our snowshoes. Every year at this point the scene is the same. There were several dogs and their masters hiking up and down the road, skiers sliding past, young couples, cute young women, moms and dads with bored-looking children. Every year we see snowshoers coming UP the packed Millcreek Canyon road. And every year I wonder why they wear the snowshoes on hard packed snow. Don't they see us, walking perfectly easily over the road?
Our total time from car to car was 7:38. This was a much improved time over last years 10+ hours, and last year we never made it to Mt. Aire summit.
Millcreek Ridge will be on my mind next year. | 