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Spawn Creek Hike, 10 February, 2018

Change of plans:

In this unusual year of low snow pack, the trip leader (Susan) suggested that we switch the outing from the originally scheduled Mill Hollow / Spring Hollow area to Temple Fork. Evaluation of the parking situation and snow conditions from the previous weekend helped reinforce the decision. The group agreed and twelve trekkers, Susan (trip leader), Dave W., Jane, Dave P., Kathy, Catherine, Teresa, Gordon, Laurel, Keith, Clay, and Wendy, drove to the Temple Fork parking area in three 4WD vehicles.

The Temple Fork parking area was accessible to vehicles due to the extremely low snowpack thus allowing for avoiding the walk along the road from the Blind Hollow pullout in unsafe conditions.

The trekkers left the parking area at 10:45 a.m. and headed up the Temple Fork road bearing left at the fork after the bridge. After stopping to look at the beaver dam on the Temple Fork River, the group headed toward the Spawn Creek trailhead. We noted new beaver building activity on both streams.

The group stopped for a leisurely lunch at about 12:15 p.m. at the first large beaver dam on Spawn Creek. At the lunch spot, hikers took in beautiful views of mountains, valley, and beaver dam with a waterfall. Sunny skies and comfortable temperatures prevailed for the duration of lunch.

Dave W. forded Spawn Creek to check a water gauge station that the beavers had apparently “sabotaged” by building their dam above it.

The group then headed back to the vehicles with a return to Logan at about 2:30pm. Conditions in Cache Valley were sunny and breezy with a temperature of about 42 degrees F.

Note: Susan recommended that vehicles leaving the Temple Fork parking area turn right (east) onto Hwy 89 and then turn around at Ricks Springs (2/3 mile up the road) to avoid turning into fast moving traffic coming around blind corners in both directions.

Trip Summary:

  • Drove 18 miles up Logan Canyon to the Temple Fork parking area near the Logan River.
  • Participants: Susan (the leader), Catherine, Keith, Laurel, Wendy, Clay, Gordon, Teresa, Kathy, Dave P., Jane and Dave W. All hikers either used just boots or boots with "micro-spikes" (trail crampons). A few carried snowshoes on their packs (although they were not used) and most used trekking poles.
  • Limited snow pack with mainly icy or packed snow.
  • Variable weather conditions: graupel snow showers, clouds, sun, breezy.
  • Temperature: estimated mid+ 30s.
  • Started hiking about 10:45, lunch from 12:15-12:50, back at the trailhead at 1:50 and Logan at 2:30.
  • 4.2 miles round trip with about 350 feet of ascent and descent.

Thanks to Susan for the narrative, Susan, Wendy, Clay and Dave W. for photos and Dave W. for the GPS data

Starting out from the Temple Fork parking area

Hiking up the Temple Fork Road

Beavers rebuilt this dam after it washed out in spring 2017
A snow squall as we started on the Spawn Creek Trail Recent beaver activity
The Spawn Creek Trail was modified recently so now this sign seems out-of-place Water on the trail
Crossing Spawn Creek
A nice beaver pond on Spawn Creek
Our lunch spot overlooking the beaver pond
A "lay-down" fence near our lunch spot Beavers dammed up this stream gauge
Crossing back over Spawn Creek using a different "bridge" Beavers diverted water onto the trail here
Our GPS track shows 4.2 miles with about 350 feet of ascent and descent

You can look at our route using: Google Earth, the various map and aerial views of Google Maps or download our GPS file.