Ponderosa

May 15, 2015 - HIKE

   May and June are a kayakers prime time for excitement because summer’s warmth is bringing down the snow with recklessness and turbulence.  The Beaver river wasn’t going to have much high water this spring but the past rainy weeks have been a blessing.  On this weeks hike I want you to stand on the footbridge at Ponderosa picnic grounds and appreciate the mesmerizing effects of a river’s sound and rhythmic flowing waves.    

   Ponderosa opened for business last week and I hope it will be well used and loved this summer.  It is located at MM 9 up Beaver Canyon and most of my readers have great memories there of wedding receptions, school reunions, dutch oven cook-offs, and even retirement parties, Von!  But, I’ll bet only a  handful of folks have ever stepped away from the tables and firepits to see a beautiful, secret clearing only the cows have been enjoying.  This short hike gains two hundred feet elevation and is only a half mile long, so it is perfect for a family activity followed by a picnic and a game of horseshoes.  You can’t beat the five dollar per vehicle price for all the fun to be had at this lovely spot, assuming it has not been reserved for a private function which you can book on reserveamerica.com.  After crossing the bridge walk to the left of the amphitheater benches, through the horseshoe pit.  Cross the very small ditch and you’ll be on an old logging road which was most recently used in 1989.  No motorized vehicles have driven on it for 25 years so it feels just like a shady nature trail, soft underfoot with pine needles and fallen maple leaves.

   The halfway point up this trail is the drinking water spring surrounded by a fence to keep livestock and big game animals from contaminating it.  Another feature of developed springs is a frown shaped earthen berm above the spring which diverts rainwater and surface flows from bringing contaminants down into the source.  There is a patch of stinging nettle right on the trail below the spring and learning to recognize it can save you an hour long burning reaction.  This plant has redeeming qualities as well,  it is super nutritious when cooked, boiled, or dried out. I cook it like spinach and enjoy it at least once a year just for the novelty, reminding me that our ancestors used to live and survive off the land.  Any questions on my articles or plant identification, reach me at 801-243-0095.  Stay in the ravine to the west of the spring and you’ll pass a couple large and very old tree stumps, indicating lumber was harvested here over 100 years ago.  Soon you’ll enter a grove of all similar sized ponderosa trees.  These were planted by hand in the 1930’s or 40’s, perhaps by the Civilian Conservation Corps, following a lumber harvest.  It is cool to think some timber from those days may still be in floors, walls, or shingles of Beaver’s older homes.  Here the trail goes westerly and is only used by cows but it’s hard to get lost because the sage covered clearing is just two hundred yards ahead.  Walk out into the center of this grassy clearing which is encircled by mountain mahogany, juniper, and pinion pines to admire the views.  The dramatic cliffs to the north are below Skull Flat.  To the northeast you can see the recent burn at Big Cove which climbed to the ridgetops just south of Mud Flat.  If one could navigate the steep craggy slopes behind you to the south, they would find themselves at the head of Kane Canyon, east of Mud Lake.  The peace and quiet up here behind Ponderosa shouldn’t be only for the cows,  get out there and experience it!  

   This weeks tip is kind of a courtesy to all and touches on outdoor ethics.  If you have a choice, please refrain from using dirt roads and trails when they are wet and muddy.  The ruts made on one day when you couldn’t resist will last all summer, making the road bumpy and unpleasant for everyone.  When it dries out and warms up, let’s get out “Into The Tushars!”