Rob's Trail

I arrived at an empty parking lot at my trailhead - do you get what I just did there? My name is Rob, and the trail is called Rob's trail... Anyways, no cars or people in sight as I began my hike up Rob’s Trail on a Friday morning hike before work.

Trailhead for Rob's Trail

My legs were still a little bit sore from my Sunday hike up to Lake Blanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon, but they loosened up as I steadily progressed up the trail. After a couple of switchbacks the trail headed Southeast through the forest and I was able to catch my first glimpse of Park City in the morning sun.

View of Park City from Rob's Trail

Soon I was hiking through some Aspen stands, and eventually reached my first intersection with Colins Trail. Taking a right to stick on Rob’s Trail I then reached another intersection with Rosebud’s Trail, and there was a sign indicating the next section of the trail only allowed uphill mountain bike traffic.

Uphill only for mountain bikers

After the intersection with Rosebud’s, I followed Rob’s trail West and I passed through a mix of aspen and pines. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating : I love hiking through aspens. I can’t help myself from taking numerous pictures every time I pass through an aspen stand. I’m sure if I lived in Utah and hiked, biked and skied through them all the time, they would lose the luster, but for a pacific northwesterner, it’s a novel experience.

Aspen stand along Rob's Trail

More aspens on Rob's Trail

Walking through the pines on Rob's Trail

Eventually I passed a memorial bench for Sam Jackenthal, a local freestyle skier who competed internationally. It looked like a nice place to take a break, but I opted to keep moving along. Popping out of the forest, I had views of the ski runs at Canyons. I had to do a quick consult of the map to figure out I was looking at Super Condor. The last couple of times I was in Park City over Christmas, Super Condor hadn’t opened yet, and everything looks different in the winter...

Wildflower or weed along Rob's Trail?

I finally reached the end of Rob’s trail, or more specifically, a junction with a couple of other trails. Not being familiar with the area, I checked my options for proceeding on. Looked like Moose Puddle Trail would take me to the Olympic Park - the trail network in Park City blows me away, I think you can probably get to any attraction purely on trails. Moose Puddle was closed, and I did need to get back for work, so I decided this was a good point to turn around.

Moose Puddle Trail closure sign

Heading back down Rob’s Trail I encountered my first person of the day, an older gentleman hiking up. It had been a quiet day on the trail so far, but that changed as I descended further. I ran into a number of groups, both hiking and biking up the trail.

Memorial bench along Rob's Trail

Father down along I made sure to not get distracted at the trail junctions and continue on Rob’s Trail to the parking lot. Reaching the small parking lot at the trailhead, it was completely full. Not surprising, given it’s a beautiful summer day.

Full parking lot Rob's trailhead

It was a fun, quick morning hike. I’m glad I showed up early, as I got to hike up in solitude and not have to deal with a full parking lot!