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Show a THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS ““"""*" June 1, 2006 2 Hiking Skyline Trail South sweat. A quick look at the GPS shows that we are starting at an elevation of about 4900 feet. We leave the trailhead parking lot and cross SR 158. The trail starts to climb immediately—steeply at first; then more gradually. This is an early-season hike so we plan to go about eight miles total—four out and four back. As a trail on a south-facing slope, Skyline South from the Pineview Trailhead is clear of snow earlier than most of the trails in the area so it’s usually one of our first hikes in the spring. We’re hoping that on this day the entire route will be snow free. Right away we begin to see wildflowers. In late May, most are clumps of leaves with no flowers yet—lupine, hawksbeard, mule’s ears, wild geranium, and yarrow. Some, like yarrow, are about to pop open; others are probably a few ae a from blooming. ite May, on this section of trail, balsamroot is king. This wild- sagebrush in the high plains, meaning that it is a plant commonly found growing along side sagebrush. Balsamroot grows in large clumps and has large, daisylike yellow flowers. On this southernmost section of Skyline South, the balsamroots are not the arrow-leaf variety that we more often see in the area. With their incised leaves (versus arrow-shaped leaves), these balsamBalsamroots roots look like they might be a hybrid of white birds are easy to spot with their cinna- At about mile four and 6900 feet in ele- arrow-leaf and Hooker’s balsamroot. Another guide calls them simply “balsamoot.” Balsamroots (scientific name Balsamorhiza) are named for the sap that is in the plant’s large woody root that smells like balsam fir pitch. Native Americans used the roots for medicinal purposes, and made a type of bread with flour ground from the plant’s seeds. Modern herbalists use the plant to fight infections = boost the mon chests. They’re in the same family as grosbeaks and sparrows. Last year in the spring, we saw dozens of spotted towhees along this same section of the trail. Today, we see only a couple. They have black and white backs and orange sides. Their distinct feature, though, are their bright red eyes. At about mile 2.5, the trail finally starts to flatten out, and we reach an area of sha vation the trail changes again and becomes quite wet. Just up ahead we see the first bit of snow on the trail. We go through it easily. Then there’s another patch, and another. We pause at this last patch ne —_ our options. As we ponder, I and see a large print in the snow. ” Baia 5 . too big for a fox or coyote; maybe a big or a mountain lion. We measure the print—about 3% inches wide and just slightly less in length. Two lobes are very distinct at the top of the interdigital pad, and there’s no claw marks. Yes, it looks like it’s a mountain lion. We look around for more signs, and we see more of the same tracks. Perhaps it’s a sign, and we decide to turn and head back. Wow! Maybe he (or she) is watching us right now. We straighten up and walk tall! We wonder what it mune — sys- ] change dramatically. Now we see lots of ball-headed waterleaf as well as yellow wood violets, western spring beauties, and creeping Oregon grapes. ¢ False Solomon’s seal is just coming up. and reservoir and heads northwest. Soon we are going back and forth on long, sweeping switchbacks. As we go in and out of the sun, we see a few new flowers—waterleaf, western serviceberry, and chokecherry. one single patch of a small, white flower that we’ve never seen before. A quick look in the guide gives us no clear answer, but it might be a sandwort with its small white flower with five petals and green center, and its long, thin leaves. At mile 1.75, at the turn of a switchback, there’s a narrow side trail that leads to a wonderful view of Ogden Valley. Just past this point we hear—then see—a couple of chickadees. Their distinctive “chicka-dee-deedee!” makes them easy to spot, even though they flit around and don’t stay in any one place for long. Members of the wrentit family, these small birds are black, gray, and white with a black cap on their head and As we watch ‘the chickadees, we see two lazuli buntings fly past! These blue and eats to survive here—surely, not moose; probably deer, the tracks of which we’ve been seeing all morning. Our trip back down seems like it takes no time at all. The warmth of midday has Glacier lilies—also known as avabrought out the lizards, and we see them lanche lilies—are everywhere. These darting across the trail before us and hear flowers come up as the snow recedes. If them scampering among the leaves and you don’t hike in the spring, just after the twigs on the ground to the side. How many snow melts, you won’t see them. Each thousands of them there must be in this plant has just a few large, yellow flowers. small area alone! Each flower points to the ground and its Back at the car, there are more people six petals are curled backward. Each out now and several boats on the reservoir. flower has six long dark stamens. Other A beautiful day—and a beautiful hike. names for this flower are trout lily, fawn Best of all, we know that if we come here lily, curly heads, and dogtooth violet. again in a few weeks, it will seem like a At mile 3 and about 6350 feet in elevadifferent place as the trees will be leafed tion, we come to the spot we refer to as out and different flowers will be in bloom. “the watershed sign.” Until recently, there was a sign here that asked trail users to keep the watershed clean. Now, one sees only a pile of rocks and an old sign post lying on its side. No trace of the sign itself. This is a good place to stop to enjoy the views of Ogden Valley to the east and Snowbasin/Mt. Ogden to the south. Sometimes, we turn back at this point. Today, we push ahead. From this point for the next mile or so, it’s straight ahead to the north and pretty flat going. Then, we come to a wooded area and turn slightly west. We’ll stay in these woods for the rest of our hike; unless, that is, we decide to go beyond the fourmile point. It all depends on the snow level and how we feel. We see snow along A beaver was busy at Snowbasin this the trail in shady spots, but so far the trail spring. Photo courtesy of Snowbasin, itself is clear and dry. A Sun Valley Ski Resort. Glacier lilies Zi Ballhead Waterleaf a: It’s a perfect morning for a hike—there’s a bit of a chill but with a clear sky, the sun will warm things up quickly. Today we’re hiking Skyline Trail South, starting from the Pineview (or Skyline) Trailhead. We decide to leave our jackets in the car as we know that we'll soon be climbing and working up a Q oO By Helene Liebman Busy as a Beaver Celeste C. Canning PLLC Attorney at Law 2 kitchens, finished walkout basement deck overlooking stream. 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