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Card Loop, 23 June, 2024

Ten hikers met for the Card Canyon loop: Ralph, Brent L., Brent J., Joan, Susan, Kamren, Dick, Jane, Dave W., and Dave P. (leader).  One spot on the dirt road to the trailhead had holes and loose rocks; the two trucks made it without a problem and the Outback finally did after three tries.

The hike up the East fork was cool and lovely, and we frequently went through waist-high plants and flowers.  We turned off the trail above a small beaver pond to follow a short-cut route we have used before, but at first we just waded westward through the field of bluebells.  We came upon a wildlife track which made the going easier, and followed it to another beaver pond and a 2-track road, which led up to the meadow between the forks.  We had to compromise on a place to have lunch because flying insects were around and we knew they would get us in the trees.  It was sunny and warm, but fortunately breezy, so we opted to sit in the open.

We were surprised that the meadow was not a sea of yellow flowers of mule ears.   There has been two unusual weather conditions that might explain why—very little rain in May and June, and a freeze on June 18.  But there is another interesting and rare feature to this meadow—it has small round pebbles called oncoids.  These are formed like stromatolites by biofilms that cause precipitation of limestone. Concentric layers of limestone can be seen when the pebbles are broken open.  But instead of growing on the sea floor or lake bottom, oncoids are rolled in shallow water.  The geological map labels this area the basal unit of the Wasatch Formation, which was deposited about 50 million years ago.  The oncoids tell us that this ridge-top meadow was a lake back then.  

The trail down the West fork is used by motorcycles, which made for difficult footing due to a V-shaped track and loose rocks.  The trail went through a few rock-fields that seemed impossible for motorcycles. In the archery range we saw a family out for some practice shooting at big game "3-D" targets.  It was a good hike but steep, and a hot afternoon, so everyone was pretty tired at the end.

Trip Summary:
  • 10 Cache Hikers:  Ralph, Brent L., Brent J., Joan, Susan, Kamren, Dick, Jane, Dave W., and Dave P. (leader)
  • Drove 10 miles to Card Canyon and another 3/4 mile over a rough road to the gate
  • Started hiking 8:30, lunch 11:55 - 12:15, back at the gate 2:00
  • Clear skies, temperature became very hot, from 69 ºF at the start to 94 ºF at the end, with an occasional welcome breeze
  • Hiked about 6.4 miles with 2200 feet of ascent

Thanks to Dave P for the narrative and photos, Susan for photos, and Ralph and Dave W for photos and GPS data.


Cache Hikers near the archery range

There is an archery range where Card Canyon splits (about 2/3 mile from the start)


Snow on the main ridge of the Bear River Range to the north
 Hikers admired the numerous wildflowers along the trail

A "standing stone" about 1.5 miles up Card Canyon East


Traveling off-trail through a field of bluebells
 		Beaver pond between Card East and Card West
Lunch in a Card West meadow 


No mules ear flowers on upper Card West!
 Oncoids are scattered on the surface


Sweet pea
 Larkspur

Scarlet gilia
 Penstemon

Ninebark
 Wild strawberry


Thimbleberry
 Mountain lover


Bluebells
 Snowbrush


Wild geranium
  Columbine


Bigleaf balsamroot
 Solomon's seal

Turkey vultures
Our GPS track shows about 6.4 miles and 2200 feet of ascent.
You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file.