This week-end (including today) will be hard on both the dogs and the sheep as it's supposed to be usually hot - in the 90s.
We're off by 8am. I would normally head up past Park City and then down to Heber and then Soldier Hollow for the competition. However, today I'm heading south down I15 towards Provo as I want to visit Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon. I figure it's a good time for me to visit for the first time when I have company. Besides it's really not out of the way as Provo Canyon goes right past Soldier Hollow.
Easy drive and about 50 minutes later, we're at Bridal Veil Falls. There's a trail that heads up closer to the Falls but we just walk the Provo Riverwalk to get a good view. Really nice waterfall.
(This Falls had to look amazing this Spring with all the run-off.)
Well we're done here so off to the competition passing by Deer Creek Reservoir (lots of boats out there) and spotting some wild turkeys along the side of the road.
We arrive just past 9:30 and find a spot under the canopy to be in the shade as we watch the competition. The competition is an obstacle course that the sheepdogs (mostly Border Collies) have to run sheep through getting points for completing obstacles and properly moving the sheep.
The course starts with the dogs running up a large hill where they will find a herd of 5 sheep. The sheep have to be moved done the hill
and thru a gate. Once thru, the sheep are moved to the Shedding Area will they have to be moved around a pole. Then up part way up the hill thru another set of gate. Then across the course thru the last set of gate before heading back to the Shedding Area. There the handler and the dog must separate the sheep - 2 & 3. Finally, the dog must herd the all of the sheep into a small pen. Not an easy task. (This dog got the job done!!)
Several dogs have already run the course with the top score at 91.
We watch at least 10 dogs today run. Most, I assume because of the heat, are having troubles moving the sheep. One dog even get disqualified for biting at sheep. But still fun to watch. Especially when the dogs finish the course and cool off in a tub of water.
We see two dogs pen the sheep but the 91 high score still stands when we leave just after 11am. The highest score we see is a 73.
Time to head up to the Uintas to visit Mirror Lake (10,050ft). Heading there from Heber takes me on the south side of the Jordanelle Reservoir and up to Kamas. From there is a crowded but moving drive to Mirror Lake.
As expected, Mirror Lake is packed - parking is full and I end up parking along the run. But the walk around the lake really didn't seem that crowded. Always a great little hike.
Even find some Gentian still in bloom along one section of the lake.
On the way back home, we stop at the overlook near Bald Mt Pass (10,715ft).
And then the Provo River Falls. Again very crowded with people walking on the Falls.
But still pretty despite all the people especially some of the lowers falls.
Lovely day!
