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Providence Canyon Hike/Snowshoe, 13 March 2022

Nine hikers met at the Smith's parking lot for the scheduled hike to Long Hollow.  First-hand reports of white-out conditions near Beaver Mountain, along with the forecast for near 20 mile per hour winds, led the group to debate alternate options.  The consensus was a hike up Providence Canyon.  The group met at the parking lot at the mouth of Providence Canyon, crossed to the south side of the creek, and began the hike at 10:25am.  Several hikers choose trail crampons in the
hard-packed trail conditions while others donned snowshoes.  The temperatures at the beginning of the hike read 46 degrees on one digital thermometer.  The group traveled up the canyon under overcast skies and stopped for lunch at the 2 1/2 mile mark and 12:10pm. Forest Service fencing provided what one hiker described as "the best lunch seating" we had recently.  After lunch the group ventured about 3/4 of a mile further east, arriving at the lower end of the quarry at
1:07pm.  After a brief re-group, the hikers decided to descend the canyon on the road.  As the group descended, darkening clouds at the mouth of the canyon and increasing breezes brought a brief snow shower.  Otherwise the weather conditions were much better than those reported in Logan Canyon.  The snow-covered road gave way to dirt and gravel for the last 3/4 mile of the return to the parking lot.  The group arrived back at the lot at 2:30pm.

Trip Summary:
  • Nine participants:  David (leader), Michelle, Deanna, Susan, Jane, Dave W., Dave P., Ralph and Brent
  • Drove 6 miles to the parking area at the mouth of Providence Canyon
  • Started hiking about 10:25, lunch about 12:05 -12:30, started back about 1:15, back at our cars at 2:30
  • Overcast skies but comfortable temperatures on the way up, breezy and snowy on the way down
  • Traveled 3 miles up the trail with 1150 feet of ascent, then 2.6 miles back on the road

Thanks to David for the narrative, Ralph, Michelle, Jane, and Brent for photos and Dave W. for photos and GPS data.
Racoon
 Rocks
A toothy welcome at the trailhead parking area
 Does this weathered rock look like a moai?
Border
 Littlle Baldy
Signs marked the forest boundary A glimpse of Little Baldy in the distance
Lunch
Our lunch spot at a trail access point
Sign Hikers
  A sign of irresponsible shooters
 Heading back down on the road
Clouds
Storm clouds closed in as we returned on the groomed road, bringing light snow and a cold wind
Map
Our GPS track shows about 5.6 miles and 1150 and feet of ascent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file.