Upper Bridal Veil Falls and Utah Olympic Park

It has been a bit warmer than usual here so we have had to adjust our activity level.  The combination of bright sun and warm temperatures has made long hikes difficult for our little furry friends.

On Tuesday, we decided to leave Annie Belle home and take Penny Lane to a trail near Bridal Veil Falls.  Bridal Veil Falls is a 607 ft double cataract falls near Provo, Utah.  There is a 1.3 mile path that is heavily trafficked.  We decided to pass on the heavily trafficked path and try another approach.

We parked at the trailhead for the Upper Falls and made our way along a rails to trails type path.  This path used to be a train track carrying a tourist train called the "Heber Creeper."  The Creeper took tourist on a ride along the base of the mountainside with a view of the Falls.

 After a bit of walking on the paved path, we came to a steep, narrow trail that headed uphill.  The trail was rocky and footing was a bit loose but it quickly led us to a waterfall.

As has been the case with most creeks and falls in the area, the waterfall was moving a lot of water over the edge.    Rob and I both noticed that the water quickly disappeared and continued downhill via an underground path.  We took in the beauty of the falls and then made our way back down to the RTR path.  The mountains along this path are ruggedly beautiful.

We had a nice hike/walk and decided to get Penny back to Lewis before it got too warm.  We had a bit of lunch and I spent some time outside getting photos of our local winged population.

TREE SWALLOW

SOME TYPE OF BLACKBIRD

A TRI COLORED HERON

CLIFF SWALLOW

BLACK BILLED MAGPIE

GORGEOUS BUTTERFLY

After a bit of down time, we got the dogs settled and Rob and I drove to Park City to the Utah Olympic Park.  The Utah Olympic Park is a winter sports park built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and is located 28 miles east of Salt Lake City near Park City, Utah, United States.

Anyone can visit the park and it is free.  There are quite a few things to do that cost money but it is very interesting to just walk around and look.  

While we were there, we got to watch free style skiers practice their acrobatics.

PRACTICE SLOPES

SEE THE GUY IN LINE WITH THE LIGHT POLE TO THE RIGHT?

UPSIDE DOWN

THIS GUY REALLY GOT SOME ALTITUDE

WHEEEEEE!

They were amazing and I could have watched them for hours.  

The park alters the practice slopes a couple of times in the summer and allows folks the opportunity to use them like a huge water slide.  Participants buy a ticket, choose their slide and yippee.....big slide, big air and big splash.  The water slide option was not available.  It is probably a good thing because I do not think I would have been able to resist having a go.

We walked around the park, visited the museum and watched the summer bobsled make a couple of runs.  

Utah Olympic Park is a nice place to visit.  You can spend money on quite a few "experiences" or you can just walk around an observe.  We did the latter.

We returned to Lewis and spent our evening with the girls.

Another great day in this thing we call life.