The Rambler

KEITH JOHNSON'S OL TIMERS TORTOISE HIKE
August 20, 2011
Well, I stretched the truth more than a bit. I’m certain there is a Gold Fork Canyon somewhere in the
West, but not up Big Cottonwood Canyon. The idea of a Tortoise Hike was to reach out to folks who
once had been regular hikers, but even though they still love the outdoors, for various reasons they
no longer hike with the Wasatch Mountain Club. The people who met me at the Big Cottonwood Park
and Ride didn’t quite fit that description. All had been hiking this season, but were attracted to the
ideas expressed in the hike description (Rambler August, 2011). Most felt that the pace of WMC hikes
was too fast for them. One person said she could keep up for half the way but then was winded.
Three hikers said they could hike for miles at a slower pace. Some wanted to be able to stop and
examine nature along the way. Most of the hikers said that there was no guarantee that NTD hikes
wouldn’t take off and leave them in the dust.
When I met the group at the Park & Ride I had a hike in mind, but asked everyone for suggestions.
Norm suggested Silver Fork, and we headed up the canyon. There wasn’t a single parking space at
the Park & Ride Lot, so we started up in separate cars. Upon exiting the Lot, the Biel’s were able to
hook a ride up with Lowell. One of the crowd got separated going up the highway and didn’t arrive
with the rest at Solitude’s lower lot. I asked Norm to lead the others at an even slower pace, while
I tried to locate our lost person. I came back emptied handed and ran to catch my crew that had
headed up Silver Fork. Finally, I caught
everyone in front of the old Swiss style
house. Norm wanted to take the trail, rather
than the old dirt road. We did. The pictures
were taken as we broke for lunch a couple
of miles up the side canyon. Instead of gold
nuggets, Margie and Lowell were attempting
to identify the species of a flower. No, Sandra
didn’t want to trade two gold nuggets for
cherries, but was generous with delicious
fruit!
For me, the best part of the hike came as
we proceeded up toward the steeper section
of the trail. Just below that section, we
marched through waist deep flowers that
made up a wild flower meadow the size of a
couple of football fields. The trail was just
wide enough to hike. I suspected the trail
had been created by a succession of happy
wanders, and I wished the meadow could
be protected. A trail could be re-routed
Margie and Lowell closely examine
gold nuggets they discover in meadow
around the edge of the meadow and widened. It is most definitely a more picturesque and enjoyable
route, than the old road which was crowded. That meadow was the most beautiful of all those I’ve
walked by along my summer journeys. As some of us had scheduled other afternoon adventures,
we stopped short of going up through the fir forest and on to the top. Hope all made it to their
respective pleasures. Great mid-day hike everybody! Submitted by Keith Johnson
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