Sept 29 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

Well it's a sunny Friday with high near 70 degrees. Normally, I'd be heading into the mountains after work but my knee is still a bit grumpy from Wednesday's hike thru the snow. I still want to get out and enjoy the weather but have to find a relatively flat trail -- very hard to do around here. But the Mormon Trail is somewhat flat especially the first mile or so; so that's where I'm heading.

Haven't been here still early August; hoping for a little Fall color. (It's definitely late this year.)

As I drive up the dirt road, I finally see some fall colors!!! Definitely far from peak but still colors.

I park and start up the trail.

Everything is so dry but there are a few (just a few) purple asters and yellow composites.

The aspens along the trail are starting to turn yellow. Some are farther along than others.

My plan is just to hike to the pond which is about 1.25 miles.

Along the way, I see several Satyr Commas (on the trail and in the parking lot)

two Common Checkered Skippers

a single Mylitta Crescent

and 5 Mourning Cloaks.

Lots of bees out today all flying very low to the ground -- I think they might be getting water from the wet trail.

The big flying grasshopper numbers are down. I do see a few of ones with red wings. But there are a good number of the smaller grasshoppers.

And there's a few Chipmunks moving a bout.

Plenty of seed heads from Yarrow, Goldenrod, Thistle, etc....

As I enter the meadow before the pond, I see a good sized wasp's nest that was destroyed alongside the trail.

I reach the pond.

Just a few dragonflies flying here.

I just loop around the pond hoping to kick something up -- no luck.

Time to head back.

When I reach the end of the trail, I see a butterfly. I just think it's another Satyr Comma but when it lands it's quite a surprise -- it's a California Tortoiseshell!!!

I've seen them on this trail but everytime about 3 miles down the path. Pretty exciting!!

Lovely day!!

Sept 27 - Desolation Lake and Wasatch Crest (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Taking the day off for my annual migration to Desolation Lake to look for Fall colors. Based on the amount of snow the mountains received since last Friday (around a foot), I'm pretty sure I'll be seeing more Winter White than yellows, oranges, and reds. I'll soon find out.

Cool morning - low 40s in the valley - but the sun is rising, the skies are clear with a high of 67 in the valley today.

I'm really not too sure what to expect with respect to snow; I'm just hoping the first mile or so are clear and someone has already hiked up to Desolation Lake already so I can just follow through the snow.

The hike itself is 3.3 miles and around 1900ft to Desolation Lake. Then it's another 1/2 mile and 500 ft to the Wasatch Crest; a trail along the crest of the Wasatch Mts. Once up there, one has views of Wasatch down to the Salt Valley on one side and Park City on the other. The elevation at the crest is 9710 ft.

As I drive up the canyon, the splashes for reds and oranges are growing bigger. But the aspen have barely changed. Along side the road, there's no snow even at the trail head.

It's 41 degrees at the trail head. The low vegetation is a bit frosty this morning. But there are pops of color above the trail.

Snowy peaks on the other side of the road.

I start up the trail paralleling the road for a bit before turning north up a canyon - Mill D Creek to be exact. The trail is more or less clear for almost a mile even though in spots it is surrounded by snow. (Not sure how that happens.)

At around the mile mark, where the trail and creek meet, the trail becomes a mix of packed snow, frozen footprints or frozen ground.

The creek is flowing and there are some icicles hanging from the vegetation near some of the tiny water falls.

Aspens are still green - though they are starting to turn.

I manage to find a couple of asters and composites that look damaged by the snow and frost but they're survivors!

Sure is pretty out.

Soon I reach the Dog Lake / Desolation Lake split. I'm hanging a right and heading east through the snowy aspen / conifers forests.

Going is slow because of the snow and ice.

A little further along, I pass through a meadow and get peeks of snowy mountain tops through the trees.

And further still, reach a little snowy canyon. With great views back down towards the valley.

Several chipmunks scurrying along the top of the snow. They are much closer to the flower seeds now and are definitely feeding.

Finally, I reach the meadow where Desolation Lake is. There's a little bit of Fall color here.

But many aspens have already dropped their leaves - the snow is covered by them.

I head directly towards the lake blazing my own trail through the snow. Someone was creative and built a snowman!!

Pretty sure the lake will not be frozen - and it's not. But it's sure pretty as always - especially with all the snow!!

This is the first time I've been here with snow on the ground - pretty cool!

I make my way to the other end of the lake along the shoreline. Then head back to the opposite side for a quick rest on a rock.

So peaceful out!

Time to head up to the crest. I'm not sure how people know where the trail is when it's snow covered but I'm sure happy a few people have taken this climb before me.

Soon I'm on the crest trail with wonderful views of the lake and the Salt Lake Valley in the distance.

On the other side is Park City with clear view of the Uintas Mountains in the distance.

There's lots of snow on the Park City side of the crest (no Fall colors). Pretty clear on the Wasatch side (it gets more sunshine).

I head down the crest a bit

I find a spot on the crest and break for lunch.

Views are quite different than all my other trips. Not sure if I prefer the Fall colors or this snow. Either way it's pretty incredible!!

Well, it's time to head down. The trail is now is muddy, slushy, and a flowing creek in many places.....messy but easier walking. And the views are still nice.

Along the 1st mile of the trail, I find a couple of Hoary Comma

and a Mourning Cloak (both overwintering butterflies).

Very little Fall colors but an incredible day!!

Sept 19 - A Snowy Twin Lakes Walk

Well, I missed the 1st mountain snowfall of the season last Friday - just wasn't enough to head up on Saturday to view.

But today it rained hard in the valley and of course, that fell as snow in the mountains. This one I can't miss so after work, I grab my stuff and head up Big Cottonwood Canyon to see snowy peaks.

My "quick" choices are either Lake Mary (Brighton Ski Resort) or Twin Lakes. I choose Twin Lakes (even though I was just there) - I like the walk better.

I arrive around 4:30pm. It's 41 degrees and still mostly cloudy. There is some blue sky and sun but it a little north of me.

I walk out to the boardwalk -- not bad!

Looks like just a couple of inches fell around the lake. The boardwalk is snow covered - flattened by lots of feet walking around. If it don't melt soon, it'll be a bit slick tomorrow morning.

I head counter-clockwise around the lake to get to the trail quicker. Lovely views!

I get to the trail and take the direct route to Twin Lakes (instead of the loop to Lake Solitude). I head up through the still green aspens. The snow is melting and falling through the trees. Getting a bit wet from the dripping trees and occasionally, a clump of snow falls on my head or my shoulder.

The ground vegetation and small pine trees are heavy with snow - looks nice.

Soon I'm out of the woods and crossing above Silver Lake.

Then it's up, up to Silver Lake.

Almost there!

I arrive and it's quiet, crisp and fresh! The lake is perfectly still.

I try to find a place to sit but the rocks are either wet or snow covered so I just wander around.

Then it's time to head down.

Stopping for one chipmunk having dinner.

Back across the ridge above Silver Lake. I hear a couple of Pika but only find one.

When I get back down to Silver Lake, I continue around the Lake.

Great evening!!

Sept 17 - Lake Solitude - Twin Lakes Loop

Heading into the mountains today; specifically going to hike the Lake Solitude - Twin Lakes loop. It's been about a month since I've walked this loop and with Fall arriving very quickly, it's time to check out if the leaves are changing yet.

Cool night, down into the 40s again in the valley. Since it'll be even cooler up near 9000 ft, I've drug the mittens and fleece for my hike today.

As I head up the canyon, there are trees that are changing - some red and oranges. But the aspen are still green - just a few patches of yellow.

When I arrive around 9:15, it's still in the 40s with a light wind but sunny (well, mostly sunny). Quite a few folks out already walking around Silver Lake.

I hear a guy talking about 3 moose - a Mom/Calf and a big male - on the other side of the lake. I can see the Mom moose at the water's edge on the other side.

And walk as fast as I can in the counterclockwise direction to get closer. I do make a few stops to check out the arrival on Fall at this elevation.

I get to the other side and am walking in the direction of the Moose. I get just past the dock and I'm stopped by a volunteer. The moose (the big male) is just ahead in the trees next to the trail.

The volunteer is preventing anyone from passing for safety reasons.

I go back to the dock hoping to see the female but she is no longer in the open. So it's time to head for Lake Solitude and start my hike.

As I pass thru the aspen, not much color change in the trees yet. The ground vegetation is mostly dry and brown. There are still patches of purple asters along the way.

It's a quick walk to Lake Solitude.

Then the climb to the ridge above Twin Lakes. I'm not thinking about butterflies today -- it's very cold but as I round Lake Solitude in some blooming Asters, a very worn Ruddy Copper flies and lands on an Aster! Surprise!

Many chipmunks running around the lake looking for food. With the touch of snow on Friday, I'm should their winter preparations have picked up.

I continue up the big hill and soon arrive above Twin Lakes. Wow! The lake levels have really dropped!! Just a month ago, there was still water flowing over the spill way.

I head to my "perch" so a short break to enjoy the view.

There's a few young Northern Flickers (I think) flying.

Time to head down to the lake to explore the beach front property. But before I get there, I see a Fritillary trying to warm up rock.

Then it's time to go to the beach.

A quick stop atop the dam.

And then it's time to head down to Silver Lake again.

As I pass above Silver Lake, I look for the moose below but don't see them.

I can hear a Pika but never see it.

When I get back to Lake Solitude, I head back to where I had gotten spotted several hours because of a moose. When I get there, a guy who was there several hours is still there. I don't see the moose so I ask him if it was OK to pass. The volunteer stood up and said not yet as the Moose is now bedded down but he's not far from the trail. Oh well, time to head home.

Great day!