Tuesday 4-6 Summit Park Trail and 3 C's Trail

 

Get your hiking pole and let's go

When Larry woke up it was 60 degrees and it got up to 73. We had cloud covering on and off all day with a breeze. It was perfect weather for another hike.

Larry said the sunrise was beautiful, there was an open area in between the horizon and a cloud bank which gave the sun a magnificent color. He watched the sunrise from our living area window, I was sleeping.

After breakfast we went on a 2.5 hour hike for 3 miles. We hiked the Summit Park Trail, it is a self-guided trail with 12 points of interest. The trail was named after the Summit Park Motel that was built in 1889, this was the footpath people took to get to Fern Lake. Fern Lake was a man made lake the hotel visitors used to canoe and relax on. It was not deep enough to swim in.  

In order to get to the Summit Park Trailhead we walked the 3 C's Trail for a half mile. While hiking this section we saw a few deer in the trees. The Summit Park Trail is a challenging 1 mile loop, it took us about an hour and a half to complete. We stopped at each point of interest sign along the way. The first stop was at two large rocks where The CCC carved directions into the rocks, at first we didn't see them but after a couple other spots we came back to where the rocks were and found them. The second stop was a white oak tree. Third stop was Darling Spring, it was an orange color because of the iron compounds. It was known for curing illnesses. After looking at Darling Spring we crossed over a creek via a wooden bridge. Then we followed the trail up the mountainside back to the two rocks. The fourth stop was looking at dogwoods. The fifth stop was a rock slide which is common at Mount Nebo. The sixth stop was Crystal Springs. The seventh stop was a Den Tree, this wasn't too interesting. The eighth stop was Fern Lake. It was pretty little lake. As we walked around it frogs hopped into the lake. They were all over the bank. It seemed like every foot or two one would hop in the lake. There was a sign there telling the history of the lake. After resting a bit we continued down the trail. The ninth stop was an open area where there was a bench under a rock for you to rest on. The tenth stop was taking stone steps up the mountain, they were built by the CCC using hand tools and a team of mules. The eleventh stop was rocks that had bluish-grey organisms growing on them called lichens. The twelfth and final stop was a bench for you to rest on after your steep climb. There was a beautiful view of Spring Mountain. After resting we continued back to the trailhead. We hiked by Lover's Leap and over the stone bridge. We didn't hike far but it was a great workout climbing up and down the mountainside using stone step and some of the terrain was very steep. It was well worth it. 

 

Entrance to the Summit Park Trail

 

Darling Springs

Larry walking on a wooden bridge to cross a spring

Trail directions carved in a stone by a member of the CCC

Fern Lake

Larry climbing a stone staircase built by the CCC

A spring that flows under the stone bridge

Standing on the stone bridge

The Entrance Sign to the Summit Park Trail

Once back at the entrance sign we walked to Mount Nebo Visitor Center. We're suppose to get some rain tomorrow and Larry wanted to move sites and extend our stay another two nights. We were the only ones there and had no problems getting moved. Afterwards we took the Rim Trail for about a half mile back to the campground. We met a family of four and two dogs on the trail, they stopped and waited for us to pass. That was very nice. By the time we got home it was time for lunch. 

After lunch I did the Daily Challenges and the Event: Tri Peaks Mini of 5 games. It took me 11 minutes and 21 seconds, which put me in 22nd place in my group. While I played games Larry read.

After resting a few hours I decided to go on an hour and a half hike to get some of my steps. I hiked the 3 C's Trail in both directions, which was to Sunrise Point and Sunset Point. It was a total of 4 miles. It's an easy trail and is shared by bicyclist and hikers. While hiking the trail to Sunset Point from Sunrise Point I said hi to a bicyclist. When I was at Sunset Point I said hi to lady jogging. While walking through Sunset Point Park I saw a family walking around. It was a beautiful day for a hike, ride or walk. While I was hiking Larry read.

For dinner Larry barbecued sausages. After dinner Larry and I went on an hour walk to Sunset Point using the 3 C's Trail. Then we walked the Rim Trail around the point and to the Summit Park Trail sign. Then we walked around where some of the cabins are that were built by the CCC. As we walked around the cabin area there were two signs about two old CCC sites, one was the CCC Headquarters and the other one was the CCC Power. It is always interesting to learn about all the great things the CCC built. After walking around the cabin area we got back onto the 3 C's Trail and went back to the Minnie. By the end of the night I ended up doing 28,021 steps, which put me 5th place in my group.

We had a super day of hiking and enjoying the campground. Every evening families from the neighborhood come and play in the playground. It's fun watching people enjoying the facilities the state has to offer.