Snowbird Glacier and Hut

 I tried this hike last year with the Valley Wanderers and we had to turn back at the top of the pass overlooking the glacier, because it was totally fogged in. We started out at 9 this morning and were worried because all of the mountains were totally fogged in when we got to the trailhead. But today's forecast didn't include rain and sounded very promising. As we started up the Reed Lakes Trail we still had some scepticism, but kept the faith and kept walking. Occasionally we did see touches of blue sky and we hoped it would clear. As we took the trail to Snowbird, it really looked grim, a huge fog bank was sitting on the top of the ridge. But we kept on. Soon after reaching the old mine ruins and getting into the long traverse across the valley, things began to open up. We crossed many fast moving streams and I worried my dog Bella might get swept away. I wasn't sure what hazards we might encounter, so was using my dog carrying backpack, just in case. I did have to lift her over a couple of creek crossings, but otherwise she was fine. Once we got into heavy boulder scrambling, I had no choice but to turn her loose, at which time she raced to be the leader. There is not much of a trail at this point, but more of a route. We picked our way for hours through the rock boulders. This part was kind of painful for me since I was still having lots of discomfort from my fall on Lazy Mountain just a couple of days before. But I had no intention of giving up! The mountains at the far end of this valley remind me of the Grand Teton. So enormous and so rugged. We started to encounter fresh snow from all the rain of the last two days. But it wasn't making our walk more difficult, although it helped to obscure the correct path a bit. There were some fresh footprints that we followed in some places, which actually was quite helpful. It was breathtaking to finally reach the pass we had reached last summer and actually see the Snowbird Glacier in the valley before us. By now we had mostly clear blue skies. The path down to the glacier was quite the rock and boulder scramble. Quite often, Bella was the one who found the best route. She was pretty amazing. leaping across rocks 10 times her size. We finally reached the actual glacier, which was completely covered with 4 to 6 inches of fresh snow. Happily, some hikers had walked out earlier and left a nice trail through the snow for us. I'm not sure how long the glacier walk was but I think close to one mile. Once across the glacier we had to negotiate at least a half mile through the biggest boulders yet, to get to the hut which we couldn't even see from the glacier. I think each one of our group of  7 took a different route through the rocks to the hut. At one point I stepped on a gigantic boulder and it went crashing down below me. I screamed to warn others below me and fortunately it didn't hit anyone! That was really scary. There is a gigantic boulder partway up the mountain that has a big red arrow painted on it, pointing the correct direction to the hut. Once we got to that rock, there was a semblance of an actual trail that was somewhat easier to follow. Once I got to the hut, Bella was sitting by the picnic table mooching food off the folks who had beat me to the hut. It was so warm and sunny there. One could never have guessed what foggy dreary weather we'd had at the start. We stayed and ate lunch and explored a little. I looked over the ridge to Snowbird Lake below. How I would love to keep on wandering from there over to Bomber Hut and all the other little Mountaineering Club hideaway huts that dot these mountains. But we had only packed for the 10.5 mile day hike so after a nice break we had to descend and work our way back to the Reed Lakes Trailhead. Bella helped us through some strange parts showing us the easiest routes. I love how even a tiny Yorkie is able to do that. We put on our microspike grippers again to cross the glacier and climb back on the ridge through the snow to the pass at the far end of the glacier. By now, big cumulus clouds were forming and it was cooling down, so we knew we needed to keep moving even though it was tempting to sit in the sun and keep admiring the view. Bella sat down on a sunny rock and acted as if she had no intention of going any further. But once she saw us heading down, she jumped up and was back in the lead. By the time we reached the old mine ruins we were once again back in the clouds and fog. The Reed Lakes Trail was so wet that it was more of a creek than a trail. Thank goodness my boots were waterproof, but Bella was soaking wet. She preferred walking right through all creek crossings so was a wet muddy mess. I had to wrap her in my dry gear bag to keep her from destroying Jane's car as we drove back to Turner's Corner where 3 of us had left our cars. This was one of the most extraordinary hikes I've done yet. Those mountains are absolutely spectacular. I can't wait for the next time I venture out there.