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Show Volume X Issue V THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 3 June 15, 2004 Wolf Creek Canyon Trail By Helene Liebman, Chair, Ogden Valley Pathways Wolf Creek Canyon Trail is a jewel; no kidding. I hiked it in early June and was amazed at its beauty and serenity. The trailhead is just up the road from Wolf Creek Golf Club, but it’s so quiet and the views are so good that you feel like you’re really far from civilization. This 3 mile pathway slowly climbs up the side of Wolf Creek Canyon on a wide, shady track. At the trailhead, go through the gate. About 200 yards up, take the right fork heading uphill. Within a few minutes of walking or riding, stop and look back. The views of Ogden Valley are wonderful! As you go further up the trail, the views only get better. Just under a mile from the trailhead there is a flat shady area that looks perfect for a family picnic. The trash barrels that you see here are not emptied by the County or Pathways staff, so please take out any trash you bring in. Further along, you’ll come to a section that goes through a forest of old evergreen trees. It feels and smells like the Pacific Northwest; not a place you’d expect in Northern Utah. After the trees, the trail bends to the left and crosses a shallow creek (it was running in early June). From here, the trail gets a bit tougher as it narrows. If you go further, you’ll come to a downhill section before you start to climb again. The trail gets narrower. In places you’ll have to scamper around small ponds and make it through bushes and other growth. The trail dead-ends in a grassy area close to Wolf Creek. You can hear the stream cascading down the side of the canyon. Look back and see a stupendous view of Snowbasin. If you go the entire way, you’ll walk or ride 6 miles (3 up and 3 back). In total, the trail gains just under 1600 feet, but the climb is gradual so it does not seem steep. In addition to the views, you’ll see lots of wild flowers. Sticky geranium, lupine, hawk’s beard (yellow daisy-like flowers with spiky leaves), forget-me-nots, many-flowered stickseed, and penstemmon (the tall and short vari- eties); plus shade-loving plants like baneberry (tall bushy plants with white flowers) and woodland star. I also saw some Indian Paintbrush tucked away in the woods near the start of the hike and lots of wild onion plants. Wolf Creek Canyon Trail has lots of recent history as it is part of a 160-acre parcel that was sold by the County a few years ago, thereby closing it to public access. Just last summer a group of persistent Valley residents won their court battle to get the land back. So now we can hike or ride Wolf Creek Canyon Trail and enjoy its beauty. The trailhead is at mile 8.2 on the highway to Powder Mountain. Just as you pass the gates used to close the road, look to the left. You’ll see a trail heading off through the woods behind a white rail gate and an area off the road where you can park your vehicle. Ogden Valley Pathways Needs Your Help In coming weeks, Ogden Valley Pathways volunteers will be doing trail maintenance on pathways throughout Ogden Valley. We will cut and mow brush, repair signs and fencing, and collect trash. We will also begin work on an extension of the Pineview West trail around the reservoir. If you can make it, we sure could use your help! We work every other Tuesday and every other Saturday. During the rest of June our schedule is: Tuesday, June 15, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, June 19, from 9:00 a.m. to noon Tuesday, June 29, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Meet at the North Arm Trail Head (off State Highway 162 in Eden) for work session assignments. For more information, call Brandon Fuller at 645-6060 or Melodie Hansen at 745-3545. Ogden Valley Pathways July Meeting Ogden Valley Pathway’s next meeting will be on Wednesday, July 7, at 7:00 p.m. at the Ogden Valley Library. Join us as we begin planning our activities for the Ogden Valley Balloon Festival. Also come hear an update on our trail-related work, including new construction on the Eden Trail and East Eden Pathway. Everyone is welcome! For more information, contact Helene Liebman at 745-1799. Subscriptions available for out of area residents at $18.00 annually. Send payment with mailing address to: THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS P O BOX 130 EDEN UT 84310 The Ogden Valley Trail Hike By: Taylor Jensen and Lauren Endicott On May 24, 25, 26, and 27, 6th grade classes from Valley went on a hike to one of the many Ogden Valley trails. We hiked the North Arm Trailhead and picked up garbage and pulled dyer’s woad. Mrs. Evans said, “One class pulled over 2,500 woad plants for a load that weighed over 400 lbs. Multiply that by four classes and that is a powerful positive environmental impact!” Mrs. Hogge expressed her appreciation for all of the volunteers from Pathways who hiked with us. Mr. Weight thought the trail was absolutely beautiful. He was excited about the plant and animal life found along the way. Mrs. Tatton looks forward to taking her family along the trail. Here are some other people’s comments: Shantel said, “We should go next year when we are in Jr. High.” Rachel said, “I recommend this trail to other people! It was so fun! I loved it!” Katelyn said, “My feet hurt, but it was fun!” Saige said, “I think it is a very good place to get away!” Nikki said, “I’m dyers woad’s worst nightmare!” Tanner said, “It was really fun to see the wildlife!” Travis said, “I learned not to mess with man made holes!” Chelsey said, “It was really fun to see the plants and animals!” Lauren said, “I think it was really fun to go on this field trip! The rangers were really nice!” Taylor said, “It was awesome! We got a lot of dyers woad! My hands were really green after the hike!” We recommend this hike to all people who just like to get out! The rangers were really awesome! The wildlife was great! There were tons of flowers and other plants. If you go with your family, friends, or even by yourself, we are positive that you will have an awesome time! We appreciate Ranger Barbara Burgan, the other rangers, and our guide. Thanks to Ogden Valley Pathways members Rita Booth, Deborah Wheatley, Helene Liebman, and Ed Radford. Does Emma, the Booth’s dog, count as a Pathways member? She was very trail friendly. She kept the trail clean and walked nicely. She also let us pet her and scratch her ears. We appreciate parents who came too like Mrs. Radmall, Mrs. Beck, and others. And in all, everybody wants to go again. What a great morning of school! Congratulations Winners! Congratulations to Ogden Valley Pathways essay contest winners Russ Carnahan, Nicole Kendell, Katelyn Johnson, Saige Goodin, Megan Pollock, Myrika Martin, and Shaylee Stocker, These students wrote the winning essays for the Pathways contest. They submitted some very thoughtful and well written compositions about maintaining the trail system for Odgen Valley. Their essays will be published in the Ogden Valley News. The students will be receiving a cash prize of $25.00 each (compliments of Ogden Valley Pathways) at awards ceremonies at Valley Elementary School. To all who submitted essays, and to all who share in this community-minded effort, our thanks. |