Temple Fork Sawmill

The Temple Fork Sawmill hike has always been, and will always be, one of our favorite hikes.

 

When our group began hiking over 4 summers ago this was one of our first hikes.

We have loved it since!

In fact, it was on a Temple Fork hike in which a great idea was born. The idea began with a photo taken of our hiking shoes. We all stood in a circle and someone snapped a photo while we looked down at our feet. The image from the photo is now fabulously placed on the back of our Likin Hikin t-shirts. Who says hikers aren't creative? Probably no one. But we like to think we are either way.

 

 On this day there were 16 hikers who made the trek to the Temple Fork Sawmill site.

We have more fun than should legally be allowed! We also use the word "trek" lightly because this hike is easy peasy and not much of a trek at all.

Many photos have been taken on this bridge of the Likin Hikin Ladies.
LuWana and Nancy were the first to arrive on this day. Check out those victory grins!

This bridge is located about 1.5 miles into the hike and is located right of the trail.

Once past the bridge the trail follows along beautiful Spawn Creek.
 Both trail and creek wind their way through the stands of aspen and cottonwood.
Fall, summer, spring, or winter, this trail is beautiful in all seasons.

The beaver dams are said to be abandoned but we don't believe it. There are always

changes in the dam formations and evidence of beaver markings on the trees. 
The beaver dams

are intriguing to us as they show how busy those beavers really are!

The trail comes to an end at the Temple Sawmill site. We have taken many photos of the site but unfortunately not today.  There is a small monument and a few artifacts that provide a little history of the mill and the wood used to help build the Logan Temple. 

 

If you go: The hike is a distance of 2.75 miles and is rated easy. The starting elevation is 6000 feet with a change at only 675 feet. Temple Fork road is located 15.2 miles up Logan Canyon. Turn right and cross the Logan River on a bridge.  Immediately to the right will be a parking lot but the Temple Fork Road is suitable for cars for another 5 miles.  We often walk this road if the gate is closed however. There is parking and a restroom available near the trailhead. The trailhead is located south, right of the berm.

Willow Creek / Maughan Hollow

Our hike to Willow Creek / Maughan Hollow brought out all the colors of the rainbow.

This hike is a favorite that we enjoy hiking and snowshoeing.

On this beautiful fall day 19 ladies wearing various colors showed up to spend a few hours with hiking friends in the mountains.  This was our largest hiking group to date. 

Our line of ladies kept coming and coming.

We didn't stop to rest on this hike. 

We stopped to take in all the beautiful colors.

Autumn has arrived and the vibrant colors were all around us.  Each season brings beauty to the mountains but nothing compares to fall in our beautiful canyon.

The fall colors were true to Logan Canyon style.  

Colors of vibrant red and yellow dot the mountain side.

We were more than happy to welcome back Tracii, one of the original hiking ladies.  She surprised us when she showed up after being gone for almost a year or more.  We couldn't help but shower her with hugs and smiles.  Work had taken her away for a while but we hope she's back to stay!  She is, after all, the one who taught us our theme song, "Fridays" and she is also responsible for naming a certain flower which we will not mention here. 

Welcome back hiking friend!

The hiking ladies are pictured at the high point of the hike. 

The photo doesn't show the fall colors too well but, you get the point.

From here we hiked down through a small canyon area full of more beautiful fall colors.

All too soon the hike ended and it was time to go home.

One problem...
we still had visiting to do and no one seemed to be in a hurry to leave.

We picked an easy 4 mile hike and the ladies showed up en masse.  

The general consensus was the colors were at peak today and we were all thankful
to have enjoyed them.

If you go:  Drive 9.5 miles up Logan Canyon to the Right Hand Fork turn off.  Turn right on a paved road heading east.  In 1.6 miles you will see Lomia Girls Camp.  However, stay left on the gravel road for 0.6 miles to Right Hand Fork trailhead and parking area.  Starting elevation is 5520 feet.  Hike east through a shady riparian corridor and in about 0.4 miles you will pass the mouth of Ricks Canyon on the right.  The Maughan Hollow trail forks off the Willow Creek Trail to the left after passing the fork to Ricks Canyon.  The trail will lead to a big switchback once leaving the Willow Creek trail at the bend.  A faint trail then leads to an open area of aspen groves and meadows.  The high point of the hike is 6520 feet.  The trail continues down through a moderately steep grade in a narrow part of the canyon. This hike is rated easy.