Swan Peak

A short 2 mile hike offering a beautiful unobstructed view of Bear Lake?

You bet!

On this day 10 friends made the hike with no regrets.

In fact, Swan Peak is considered one of our favs and we don't like to miss it.

Swan Peak offers an elevation of 9082 feet and is located north of the North Sink area.  Take the Swan Flat dirt road north (about two miles east of the Beaver Mt. turn off).  At this point there is about 3.8 mile drive to the trailhead.  Park in the trees on the west side of the road and begin following a distinct trail east of the road.

We had barely left our vehicles when almost immediately we were faced with the most strenuous part of the hike.  On this 0.5 mile stretch we gained about 650 feet.

We give credit to our "snack in the back" for this experience.  She suggested we keep going straight up the trail verses taking a more gentle trail that veered off to the right through the aspens.  Both trails lead to the top but we chose the difficult one and lived to tell about it. 

Thanks Teresa!

The trail eventually leveled off and we enjoyed easy to moderate hiking through the aspen and pine trees.

We sometimes see ant hills while on our hikes but never one of this magnitude.

We didn't stop to look for long, obviously. 

How an old box springs found its way to the mountainside was beyond us but

we didn't hesitate to try a jump or two.  After all we're all young at heart.

What is it about a fallen tree across the trail that shouts for a photo op?

We continued following the trail to the south in time taking an

indistinct path heading eastward up the mountain.

Suddenly there it was...

a beautiful panoramic view of Bear Lake.

It's no wonder Swan Peak is one of our favorite hikes.

A cairn marks the top of Swan Peak. 

Just below the cairn is a flat ledge with large rocks where we sat and admired the view.

Sunshine,

hiking,

 good friends,

majestic views,

 and

beautiful Bear Lake

always make this hike a huge success!

We also started a new tradition.

Yup, raspberry shakes at La Beau's.

{And just when we thought this hike couldn't get any better.}

Steam Mill Lake

This is a beautiful hike, about a 10 mile round trip, in the high mountains of Logan Canyon/Franklin Basin.  It starts out going through aspen and evergreen trees, climbing moderately. 

 It then opens up and levels out into meadows along a lovely stream.  

There are showy wild flowers along the way.

The trail and lake is named for the old steam mill that is still there, along the trail.  

A mile or so after the steam mill one comes to a small mountain lake which was our destination.

There are plenty of rocks and shade to sit and rest, eat lunch and take in the view.

This year was very dry as evidenced by the dry pond that you come upon just before you arrive at the lake (or just as you are leaving the lake.)  The following 2 pictures show the  pond this year and last year, which was a much wetter year.

It is a fun hike with lots of beautiful scenery.  As an added bonus there is a legend of buried treasure near the lake.  If you find the treasure, please share with the Likin' Hikin' Ladies.

If you come from Logan, you drive up Logan Canyon along hwy 89 for more than 20 miles until you come to Franklin Basin road.  This is a dirt road on the left.  Soon after you turn you'll drive past a parking area and then a bridge.  Right after the bridge there is a small road on the left.  Take it and then take one of the forks to the right.  This is a very bumpy, rocky road so if you're in a car drive cautiously.  Toward the mountain you'll see an open area, near a stream where people often camp.  You'll see several large boulders along a parking area and a sign.

This is where you start the hike.  There is a new bridge over the stream at the beginning of the hike.  The trail is well traveled and easy to follow.  It's a popular horse trail.  The only place where you may question which way to go is when you reach the steam mill.  There is a fork there.  Take the right fork, along the stream, which leads to the lake.  

Have fun!  We did.