Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Our Fun P-Day Hike To Cecret Lake~

Many Years ago when my husband and I were teenagers, we discovered this lake. We visited it many times. Seldom was anyone there, so we considered it our Secret Lake. 
On our last P-Day we decided to travel up to Snowbird and Alta Ski Resorts for a picnic. It is nice that it is in our mission boundaries. The drive up was beautiful. When we arrived in Alta we stopped to have a picnic lunch. Then we stopped at the park booth and talked with a Ranger to get more information on a hike.  He told us it was a good day to hike up to Cecret Lake. Due to some Internet publicity this lake has become a very popular place to hike. He told us that today was a light day and we should be able to find parking at the trail head. 

Our hike up to Cecret Lake was suppose to be easy. It was just a one mile hike. However, it was all uphill in rocky terrain. I am out of shape so we had to stop and rest several times. There were a few switch backs and it was also pretty hot outside. We did have some water with us which I was thankful for. There were a couple of times when I really wanted to turn around and go back. However, I did want to see this lake so I put one foot in front of the other and trudged on.I discovered that I probably wouldn't be a very good pioneer. 
Then we arrived at the top of the hill and there it was, that precious lake of our youth. Right now it's a bit dry and all the flowers are pretty much gone. I think we will work on getting in shape and try it again during the early summer season next year.  



We met a couple and had a delightful conversation with them. They were from California and were visiting here. We encouraged them to take a moment to visit Temple Square. They said they did that 20 years ago and really enjoyed the experience. We let them know that it has changed a lot in 20 years and they should try to go again. It was fun to give them a pass a long card and tell them about our mission. It was a awesome experience. 

We had a great time taking photos of Squirrels and a few other critters. 

It was soon time to leave. The trip down was easier because it was basically all downhill. I will treasure these moments and look forward to a repeat visit. 





5 comments:

Debbie said...

WoW!! leann, what a fun post!! i have been in your shoes, pressed on and i was so happy i did. i'm sure you were as well. hiking a path like this is not easy and perhaps required some preparation.

how wonderful to have a secret lake, the views are so pretty and you photographed are area beautifully!! i think my favorite image was the one of you with the tree but i really enjoyed all of them as i am a nature lover!!

i hope you go back...

Christy Monson said...

Looks like lots and lots of fun. And you did missionary work besides! Good work!

Susan Anderson said...

Good for you for persevering! It looks like it was well worth your efforts.

=)

Barb said...

HI~

That looks amazing!! You did it!! What amazing photos, and you and Roger look wonderful, a mission has made you look very youthful...:0)

I love the story behind the lake, I wish you would have had a picture from your dating years by the lake, to go with the new picture, that would be very special. But, memories are awesome as well!

Isn't it fun to meet new people? I hope they re-visited Temple Square, it such a special place.

Hugs and Love,
Barb

Diane said...

I love that you just put one foot in front of the other and completed your hike and got to see the lake of your youth and even had a chance to do some missionary work too.

I was a bit sad to see how brown Utah was when I flew back last week. It could be because I have gotten so used to the green of North Carolina, but it sounds like it was a very dry summer and Utah is again in great need of rain. I hope you can get a snowy winter to replenish the beautiful scenery there.