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Quick Details:
Length: 1.58 mile loop. The Kiosk says 1.3 but we didn’t deviate that much so I think we are closer.
Trail Type: Loop.
Difficulty: DR3. Mild elevation gain, really easy going.
Elevation Gain: About 200 feet.
Restroom: Pit toilet at the trailhead.
Dogs? Yes, Leashed.
To Get Here:
This is at the top of Logan Canyon on HW89. Just east and below Bear Lake Pass. On the South side of the road.
The Trail:
The trailhead kiosk.
Right off the bat you will reach a trail split. We went right, and I think that is the better way to go. It seemed easier, and well, the interpretive signs are in order and make more sense this way.
I was probably influenced by these signs.
The forest is incredible up here.
This is an interpretive trail and has a couple signs talking about the area. This first one simply introduces that.
Pretty forest.
Thick forest!
I am just loving this rail. If you can’t tell, I quite enjoy a nice thick forest.
This sign covers a fungus affecting some trees up here called rust.
These little bushes are already turning colors.
So pretty up here.
This sign covers human interaction in the forest.
More forest.
There are quite a few benches to rest on along the way.
I think there is an example of the rust fungus in this photo. The tree on the right.
The pups are enjoying the forest as well.
More forest.
Pretty leaf.
Trees.
Neat bent tree.
Another one.
The next sign offers some insight. Heavy snow could have bent the tree over. And the leader branch may have snapped off so another branch too over the job as leader.
Tree’s are amazing at adapting to survive.
I think we are nearing the top of the ridge.
Yup the forest is thinning out a bit through here.
Fun clouds.
A preview of trail to come.
Gnarly old tree.
This sign covers an ecotone, or area of transition. I certainly noticed the change between the thick conifer forest to a thinned out area. It covers that something likely triggered the change. Fire, logging, etc. And aspens are usually the first to move in,
Up on the ridge.
The ridge offers a nice view towards Middle Sink. The sinks are neat places up here that trap colder air in them and have their own inversions. Peter Sinks which is southwest of here records the coldest temperatures in the continental US. Middle sink is almost comparable. I kind of wish we had gone down to explore it.
Panoramic.
This one covers how the wind affects the plant life up here.
Example of how the wind effects a tree.
Neat tree.
Definitely hitting more aspens.
So amazingly pretty up here.
Hitting the conifers again.
This sign covers how the firs are crowding the aspens out.
With a prime example.
Lovely stroll in the woods.
View from the other direction.
More forest.
The one covers the different species of wildlife (almost 100!) that depend on a fallen tree.
More fall colors.
This sign discusses the dolomite rocks that were deposited here when this area was under an ocean. Also how the water freezing in cracks breaks it apart.
Dolomite rocks.
More fun leaves. I wonder what kind of plant these are.
The trail again.
Neat trees.
The is a tiny… ~15 foot spur off the main loop towards this corral.
The tree the trail was named for. It is (2)560 years old! There is a discrepancy between this sign, and the sign at the trailhead. It is either 560 years old, or 2560 years old. I think the later is correct.
As this sign as explained. It also discusses that it is believed that a Clark’s nutcracker, which collects and stores seeds for later, may have forgotten a stash and the cluster of seeds grew up together, or it is possible a general cluster of seeds occurred naturally and grew together.
The tree again.
Some other clusters of trees.
More trees.
The old limber pine from the back.
Neat old stump.
More forest.
Looking up.
Heading down through the thick forest.
This sign goes over the twisted aspens. This is caused by heavy snow drifts that bend the young aspens into these weird shapes.
More thick forest.
Aspens. I bet this trail will be amazing in a couple of weeks.
Another low shrub getting a jump on the color change.
Little bit of color change on this aspen.
Looking up again.
Twin trees.
I think this is the trail we saw from above.
Fun clouds.
More trees.
I think these are junipers.
More conifers.
I am not 100% sure, but I think that is a prime example of the rust fungus.
More junipers.
I was starting to wonder if this trail was ever going to provide a view of Bear Lake, but there it is.
The final sign is a an overview of what you have learned and meant to reflect upon it. Kind if a nice closure.
Another view of Bear Lake.
Pretty hollow.
The trail is still pretty easy going.
Entering the conifers again.
We can see HW89 below, must be nearing the end.
More forest.
Little trail split. We took the right fork. It is more thin, but still seemed wide enough that it was established trail.
Forest along the wider path.
Along the thinner path.
Looking up.
More forest.
Back to the end.
Across the way.
I absolutely loved this trail! The forest was nice and thick, and super quiet. We only ran into one other couple coming down. I loved the informative signs, but really just enjoyed the nice quiet hike in the woods. Some of the views were absolutely incredible as well. Going with 10 out of 10 squirrels.
As for difficulty, for the most part it was pretty easy going, just a gentle climb up to the ridge and back down the other side. Going with a DR3.
Dogs are allowed, leashed.
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