Alta to Cecret Lake

This past weekend my buddy, Ty, and I wanted to do something fun. After a some polling from family and friends about hikes off of the Salt Lake Valley, we decided to start at Alta and hike to Cecret Lake. I had been wanting to explore some areas other than the Utah Valley hikes that I'm more used to. 

We parked at the Goldminer's Daughter in Alta which probably wasn't the best choice given that we walked up the resort under the transfer tow up to Albion where there were closer parking lots. Oh well, we were out for a hike anyway, right?! From there we followed the main trail all the way to Cecret Lake. On the way we saw lots of beautiful scenery including tons of colorful wildflowers and also two moose. We got some pretty good photos of the first moose as he was laying in a meadow and later when he got up to munch on some trees. The other one was more hidden in a cluster of trees. 

Shortly before we got to Cecret Lake the rain started to pour down. Although we got wet and kind of cold, it was nice because it cleared out almost everyone from the lake. The whole hike took us around 4 hours and I figure it was about 2.5 to 3 miles one way. Good times!Alta

Cascade Springs / Alpine Loop

A few weekends ago my buddy, Fabian, and I were a little restless. Since we are both photographers I suggested that we head up to Cascade Springs. I hadn't been there in a long time and it seemed like it would be a fun place to take photos. We stopped along the Alpine Loop for a few photos too. Good times!

Bryce Canyon Weekend

Last weekend several friends and I made another quick weekend getaway to another national park. This time it was Bryce Canyon. I hadn't been there since I was a toddler with my family. I don't remember being there at all as a toddler. So I was pretty surprised at the sudden grandeur of it all. It was a short walk from the wooded parking lot to the edge of a this beautiful canyon. It was all just so sudden! Of course I brought my camera. Fortunately so did my good friend and photographer, Jace, who captured this shot of me above. See more of his work at http://jacerichardsphotography.blogspot.com/.

We stayed at the Sunset Campground which was just a short walk to the canyon rim. After getting our tents set up we headed over to the rim to take in the beauty. So spectacular! The photos really do not do it justice. We had to stick to the main trails because we had my buddy's dog with us and dogs are only allowed on paved trails. We wondered down by the lodge and then back to the camp to get a car and head to dinner. This is how we camp! :) It was a short drive to Bryce City where there were a few options to chose for eating. We opted for Ruby's Inn Canyon Dinner. Then it was back to the campground to enjoy the outdoors and play some games. The weather was beautiful despite the weather man threatening us with rain.

The next morning I got together with Jace and we headed to the canyon rim to try and get some photos with the morning light. It was fun as always. It was this trip that he took the photo of me above. By the time we got back to camp everyone else was up. Well everyone but John who had tried most of the night to keep his dog from bothering anyone else. After he was up we headed out for our hike of the day. Matt stayed with the dog since his hip was giving him grief. The other 4 of us headed down the Queen's Garden Trail into all the "hoodoos" and then it was back up on part of the Navajo Loop Trail going through Wall Street. The hiking wasn't nearly as strenuous as the Zions trip but it was beautiful and the company was great!

Freedom Fest, Fun, & Friends

This fourth of July I decided that rather than having nothing to do, I would get some Stadium of Fire tickets. After all, the headliner for the night was Kelly Clarkson and I love her! I thought Cirque du Soleil would be cool too. As far as Carly Rae Jepsen went, I wasn't expecting too much.

So three friends and I celebrated Independence Day with a little Mexican food from Los Hermanos. The irony is only now hitting me. ;) Then it was off to the Lavell Edwards Stadium at BYU. It was a super fun evening. The whole show was pretty great. The on field dancers had some interesting "dryer vent" accessories that made for an interesting show. Cirque du Soleil was pretty amazing as always. Carly was surprisingly fun and pretty good. And Kelly was awesome as always! I'm afraid that we might have annoyed our section a bit due to our standing and dancing. Too bad people! We were having fun.

Carly Rae Jepsen - Good Time

Kelly Clarkson - Mr Know It All