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Temple Fork Sawmill, 16 May 2021
Ten hikers gathered on Sunday morning for a spring hike to the historic Temple Fork Sawmill. We drove 21 miles to the parking area next to the highway (the gate was closed so our hike included a 1.2 mile walk up the road to the trailhead).
Fortunately we left the valley winds behind and started out under mostly sunny skies and calm conditions. We kept an eye out for the predicted lightening storms, but they didn't arrive until after we had completed our hike.
Much of our route paralleled the stream and provided us with views of beaver ponds, small waterfalls and spring flowers. We also enjoyed a display of flying skills as two American yellow warblers chased through the trees above the stream.
Editors note: The Temple Fork riparian area is managed for the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout (the State Fish of Utah), which also benefits the local beaver population.
Trip Summary:
- Participants: Jane, Dave W., Ralph, Susan, Teresa, Laurel, Christine, Dick, Dave P., and Brent (leader)
- Drove 21
miles to Temple Fork in Logan Canyon
- Started
hiking about 8:40, lunch at the Temple Fork Sawmill
site 11:00 - 11:20, back at the trailhead at 1:40
- Mostly sunny
skies, 50 ºF at the start of our hike and 73 ºF at the end
- Hiked 7.8
miles with 900 feet of ascent and descent (per Dave W.'s
GPS)
Thanks to Brent for the narrative and photos, Dick for photos and Dave W. for photos and GPS data.
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| There are signs explaining the life cycle of the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout, 0.9 miles from our start | |
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| After hiking
1.2 miles along the road, we came to the
trailhead and a large beaver dam |
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| An old beaver dam, about 3 miles from our start | The location of the old sawmill, after
3.8 miles of hiking |
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| Enjoying lunch near the sawmill
site |
After lunch we went to see the
nearby spring |
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| There was a moose skeleton at
the spring |
Beavers sometimes bite off more
than they can handle |
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| Hiking down the trail |
A snowy Beirdneau Peak was
visible in the distance |
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| We saw at
least three rubber
boa snakes on this hike, an unusual
occurrence |
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| Goose-foot yellow violet, Viola purpurea | Waterleaf, Hydrophyllum capitatum |
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| Spring beauty, Claytonia
lanceolata |
Short-style bluebells, Mertensia
brevistyla |
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| Back at the
trailhead, with another 1.2 miles before the end
of our hike |
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Our GPS track shows 7.8 miles
and 900
feet of ascent and descent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file. |
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