Sanford Canyon, Cleman Mountain — Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017

Sanford Canyon is less traveled since the closure of the Mud Lake Road on the North side of Cleman Mountain.  I went to check out the fall color in the aspen grove about 1.5 miles from the pull off spot on Highway 410. The game trails up the valley are pretty hard to follow with lots of loose basalt to navigate through.  Creek crossings are brushy.  When the aspen are at their peak, the trip is definitely worth it.  I usually see mountain sheep but didn't on this trip.  I did spot what I think were two golden eagles soaring above me.  Good workout with about 1,500 feet in the 1.7 mile trip up to the aspen grove.  Sadly, they still needed about 7-10 days to be at their peak color. Still a beautiful late fall day with temperature in the mid 60s.