Squaw Peak

So this week was Pioneer Day week. I decided to take the kids up to Rock Canyon for a little hike.  Being new(ish) to the area I had never been up there so it turned out to be a fun adventure.  Ben didn't want to go, but once he found a hiking stick he was all for it.  We made our way up to the second bridge and then thats when it all came undone.  Another hiker pointed out a rattle snake in the bushes and Abbi lost it.  I tried to push on up the canyon but it wasn't going to work so we decided it was a success and headed down.  I always love getting out doors with the kids.  Its where I feel that we can connect and have fun with them.  Most of all I think it helps them disconnect from all the electronics and distractions of home.  

At the second bridge

After the run up timp last weekend I decided that I needed a bit of a off weekend from major climbing and decided that I would hit Rock Canyon and head up to Squaw Peak.  It looked simple enough.  I got up early, I guess a little to early for rock canyon.  I got there at 6:30 and not a sole was in sight except for a mountain biker.  So I took off the canyon ran past some sleeping teenagers at the bottom and then I was all alone till I reached the peak and came back down. 

It is always an awesome feeling being alone in the mountains.  Sometimes I am scared to death and jumping at the sound of every bird and other times I am in complete peace.  This one was just nice to be up in the mountains.  I did not know however how steep the trail was up to the peak.  What a quad burner.  The peak was nice, I sat down for a while and snacked on some trail mix that I brought and then decided I wasn't tired.  

Looking around I could see the Squaw Peak parking lot on the road up from Provo Canyon.  I thought it would be fun to run the loop from there to the campgrounds at the top of Rock Canyon.

"Wow I could have sworn there was a tail here".  At least thats what I kept telling myself as the scrub oak was slicing at my skin causing me to bleed all over my legs.  There was no trail, only steep oak covered mountain side.   I was almost elated if not exhausted by the time I finally hooked back up with the trail that runs along the road.   From there on it was all smooth sailing until I got back to the second bridge.

Being careful to avoid where I saw the rattle snake with the kids just a few days before I ran past to a fork in the trail.  I was too busy worrying where by feet were landing when I heard that familiar rattle.  Just about 3 feet from where I had planted my foot off in the brush was yet again another rattle snake.  But this one was bigger much bigger and very angry that I had scared him to death.  I backed up to get a look at it before moving on to leave it in peace.  Although a girl who was climbing with some guys heard it rattle and wasn't too happy that there was a snake near by.   Interesting run but I think next time I will stick to the trail instead of bush whacking it.