Michelle had misgivings on going because the weather forecast was pretty ugly. The forecast was for 30% chance of rain and at the bottom of the hike there was a sign advising that there was a 70% chance of rain. We considered moving it to next weekend, but Brian just wanted to go for it so we did. Luckily we didn't get a drop of rain, but it was quite cold towards the top.
Krista didn't have a very good experience for a few reasons. 1st she was overly tired before we even started. 2nd she got elevation sickness. 3rd we left her at the cabin near Emerald Lake - she ended up being there alone for almost 3 hours and was really cold. 4th she was too picky to eat much of what we brought - she like the French toast and pineapple, but after those were gone a couple of hours into the hike, she wouldn't eat: sandwiches (they had mustard), trail mix type 1, trail mix type 2, yogurt, nor string cheese. (Dennis Patton gave her a Twinkie and she did eat a little trail mix.) So by the time we were heading down she basically had no energy because she hadn't eaten much of anything since about 10 am.
The view from the top was clouds. It would have been a bummer if that had been our first time to the top, but it was fun to hike through the clouds from the saddle to the top. The 1/2 mile hike over the snowfield was a surprise and a few slips in it made us even colder. We started hiking at 6:30 am and finished a little after 5 pm. We headed straight to Tepanyaki with huge appetites.
This sure is a beautiful hike! But the Timpanookee side is still my favorite.
Michelle, Krista, & Brian
Us at the beginning of the hike, That's Dennis Patton from looking on in the background.
Krista in front of some wildflowers.
The view down to Aspen Grove.
Brian enjoys the wildflowers just below Emerald Lake.
Krista & Michelle pose in the meadow below Emerald Lake.
This snow cave was awesome!
Relaxing for our 10:30 lunch break at Emerald Lake.
Emerald Lake.
One of the many waterfalls in the endless switchbacks.
Aren't the cute?
This picture doesn't quite capture how steep this section was. It's about 45 degrees about to merge with the Timpanookee trail just before the saddle.
Brian about to start crossing the snow field on the way up. This snow field was forever long and a major pain to cross. We both fell on it about 4 times. (Although Michelle's falls were a lot more spectacular than mine.)
The view from the top into Utah Valley. We've got to do something about the smog!
In the shed at the top of Timp.
On the switchbacks near the summit.
At the saddle about to hike into the fog. It was really cool to hike in the fog. Honestly it didn't really restrict sight much - you just couldn't see down the mountain at all.
Signing the log book at the summit.
A view of Emerald Lake at the summit. To the left of the lake is the cabin where Krista spent 3 hours shivering.
Michelle crossing the snowfield on the way back. She especially like the lit up mountain in the background.
Another view of Emerald Lake from the top with a few clouds. The interesting thing was how Timp was protecting this side from the clouds. The were rolling up on over the mountain keeping it clear down below.
Michelle walking under a waterfall. I accidentally deleted the picture of Krista & I under this fall :(
The results of Michelle's 4th fall in the snow. She actually had a layer of wet, the a layer of dirt, then a layer of snow on her. For some reason Michelle found the next 45 minutes or so of the hike to be very cold after this fall.
A view of below on the way down. This is probably the favorite part of my trail. This is between the switchbacks and the paved part of the trail.
A view up. The tough part of the hike is the hundreds of switchbacks to get up and over that ridge.
Hiking down through the pines on my favorite part of the trail. (I had lots of times to take pictures on the way down with Krista going slow from not eating.)
A shot of Krista & Michelle hiking along. If you look closely you can see how small of steps Krista was taking when she wasn't feeling well.
Another pretty view from the switchbacks.
Getting close to the end of the hike...
There were little streams crossing the trail or running down the trail all over the place. I thought this one might make a good photo.
The left side of the first waterfall on the trail - I think Scout Falls?
A picture of the first waterfall - Scout Falls?
Krista and Michelle hiking down towards Scout Falls?
A view of the paved part of the trail. I think they pave it to prevent erosion, but hiking on black top after a long hike is NOT pleasant - but the greenery sure is pretty.
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