Oct 12 - Catherine's/Sunset Pass & Cecret Lake (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

Taking the day off to go for a hike -- time is a ticking before the "real" snow starts falling and some trails become inaccessible for me to travel.

My original plans were to head up to Red Pine Lake. Always one of my summer favorites, the last 1/2 mile is steep and rocky which means when the snow comes, the trail closes for me. But when I woke this morning, I wanted to head up to Catherine's Pass (and beyond). It's one of my favorite places and last year I missed a late season visit because the snow came early. :(

We've already had upwards of a foot in the higher elevations a couple of weeks ago which caused a bit of a panic for me but no precipitation since then so I need to make it up there quickly. Today is the day!

Heading up Little Cottonwood Canyon is incredibly beautiful with the Fall colors in full force. Even the aspen are yellow -- much more colorful than Big Cottonwood Canyon!

I reach the summer road and head up  -- always bumpy but much better than I've ever seen it this late in the season. I arrive at the parking area; only 3 other cars and it's almost 9:30!! Guess once the flowers are gone, this place is just not as popular - fine by me.

It's a sunny morning but cold; it's only 29 degrees (I can see my breath) with a light wind. But it's so pretty out as the surrounding mountains (Devil's Castle, Sugarloaf Peak and Mt Baldy are still snow covered)!

What a treat as it's something that most don't see as the Summer Road doesn't open until July 1st at the earliest and most of the snow is already melted. So glad I came today!

Along the trail, there are patches of snow but this "beginning" area gets a lot of sun so most of it has melted. I start up the trail. Lots of dry seed heads and plants along the way and I can't find a single bloomer (obviously not surprising).

I'm looking for moose but see nothing - but I do find fresh moose scat in the middle of the trail near the foot bridge. Soon the trail turns and leaves the wonderful views of the Albion Basin and starts the uphill climb towards Catherine's Pass.

As I work my way up, the right side of the trail has snow - several inches.

The left side is pretty clear. The trail is basically frozen mud with a few slippery spots - could be fun on the way down when the mud melts.

At one point I stop to take a photo of Devil's Castle and notice a deer in my view. Surprise!

I finally see people; meeting two bow hunters on their way down; they saw deer - no moose.

Soon I reach the meadow. Although I'm pretty sure there's no moose, I look anyway and find none. But there are squirrels and chipmunks running around.

After getting thru the meadow, it's back to the other 1/2 half of the climb.

And then I'm at Catherine's Pass and it's pretty awesome!!

I want to head up to Sunset Pass (one of my favorite spots) but there's lots of snow. I check the trail heading up and it looks relatively clear so up I go.

Soon I'm on the backside of the peaks. A little more snow back here but still very much walkable - just have to tread carefully in a few slippery areas.

I reach the viewpoint down on Catherine Lake. (Lake Mary is in the distance.)

Upwards to Sunset Pass.

Once I reach the Pass, I head down a bit of the Sunset Peak trail just for a different view of Catherine Lake below.

Then back up to the Pass. It's a bit hazy this morning so Mt Timpanogos is very faint in the distance between the two peaks.

I head back to the trail as I want to head over to Devil's Castle but there's too much snow - at least 9 inches - so I take a break looking at Mt Timp.

It's still really early so I decide to head down and over to Cecret Lake (The parking is just down the Summer Road). It's not something I've ever done only because parking is typically a big problem but that won't be the case today.

Down I go back to my car. On the way, I almost step on a squirrel - I didn't see him (blinded by the sunlight) but I heard a rustling, looked down and there he was hugging his prized pine cone a foot from me.

(Scared me! But obviously, he wasn't.)

Once down, I drive over to the Cecret Lake parking - only 4 cars here. Time to head up the trail.

Soon I'm at Cecret Lake!

I have the lake to myself although there are a group of folks high above me on top of Sugarloaf Peak.

I slowly make my way to the other side of the lake as it's lunch time!!!

As I make my way around, I notice that there's been some trail maintenance done on the trail side shrubbery which has all been cut back. Curious.

I reach the other side and find a great spot in the sun for lunch. (It's still very cold out.)

Time to head down. (It's only 39 degrees at my car.)

Awesome day!

Oct 7 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading to Antelope Island today. It's a sunny morning with temps around 50 when I arrive on the island.

When I reach the island, I turn right to head to the Ranch -- my plan is to hike the Sentry Trail today.

There are two bison at the road intersection as I drive by.

The rest of the way to the Ranch, I pass several small (2-5 animals) bison herds. It isn't under I am 1/2 way to the Ranch when I see a huge herd of bison. But they are way in the distance near the mountains.

(There's a bit of Fall color out there too!)

I also see two doe. I would normally stop but I just passed a bunch of bikers that would run over me if I stop. :)

After passing the Ranch, I drive down the dirt road to the Sentry Trail. As I'm getting ready, I notice a herd of bison (small brown blobs) in the distance to the south. As I'm watching, I notice a few bright spots that are moving -- Pronghorn I bet. And then, there's a smaller dark spot moving toward the Pronghorn. It's a coyote!!

Pretty cool - Pronghorn, Bison and Coyote all together.

I look away for a moment and the Pronghorn are running with the Coyote following ... and then they disappear.

As I'm watching, two cars filled with a people pull into the parking lot. Seems they will be walking the trail too. No offense to the people but I'm changing my plans -- I like my solitude. I get back in my car and continue down the dirt road to see if I can catch up with Pronghorn or the Coyote. I'm successful in finding the Coyote!

I reach the end of the road and turn around. On the way back, I see 6 Pronghorn bedded down near the lake's edge!

Well, time to head back up the island and to the White Rock Trail.

Along the way, I catch a quick glimpse of a few bedded down Pronghorn not far from the Ranch.

Soon, I'm at the White Rock Trail. Appears there's a 50K bike ride today -- I'm hoping they're almost done by now.

There's no bison to be seen around the trail nor near Bison Point. Time to start.

Still plenty of Dragonflies flying along the lower section. And grasshoppers.

After climbing the switchback, I stop to look a Bison Peak. Beautiful day!

Along this stretch, I scare up 3 Monarchs as I pass by.

It's about 2.5 miles of trail before I catch sight of the first (and only) bison along the trail.

Along that same stretch of trail I see a lone Pronghorn standing at the edge of the trail ahead of me.

I stop figuring he's going to run off. But he doesn't so I move slowly forward. He calmly crosses the trail and starts feeding on the other side. I pass 75 feet behind him and he's still feeding. (I'm surprised, they're usually pretty skiddish.)

Soon I'm at the 1/2 point of the trail standing above White Rock meadow staring at Frary Peak

I don't seen any bison down there but there could be Pronghorn; I'll be looking for them.

I start making my way down. Great view of the bay today!

On the way down, I see Tiger Beetle. Haven't seen one of these since Spring.

A single pink flower.

(Plenty of sunflowers still blooming.)

A Painted Lady, another Monarch and 10 Clouded Sulphurs.

The lizards are also starting to come out. At least two different species.

One last view of White Rock Bay before turning north towards the trail head.

I'm on the last stretch before the trail head when I see 3 Common Checkered Skippers.

Awesome day!

Oct 6 - Cardiff Mine and above (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Heading up Mill D North to the Cardiff Mine above to see the mountain ridge including Cardiff Pass. I've been on Mill D North before and attempted to get see the mountains but the many, many, many Private Property - No Trespassing signs eventually scared me enough to turn around (even though I knew that as long as I stay on the road, I'm on public property).

Well today's the day I get. And it's a perfect time to go as this is a mid-elevation hike which means there should be Fall color and the mountains will be covered in snow. It's a two-fer day!! (hopefully)

Cool morning, low 40s when I arrive at the roadside parking for the trail. Since it's so early, I decide to drive down the road (1/2 mile) to the actual trail head parking; it's very limited and I'm hoping there will be free spots.

As I head down the road, lots of yellow aspen color. Mt Reynolds just to the west is beautifully snow covered.

Ahead of me, I see a deer cross the dirt road and as I drive up there are actually three deer.

One is a male, one is a female and the other, well I didn't really get a good look but betting it's a doe. That's a good start!

I arrive at the parking and there is only a couple of cars, I have a spot!! (Saves me a mile of walking.) Plenty of blue skies but there are also plenty of clouds and right now it looks like I will be walking under one of those large clouds.

I head across the bridge, the stream is still flowing but it's low flow - plenty of dry creek bed.

Time to start heading uphill. The trail is 2.5 miles and 1660 ft to the Cardiff Mine at 9140ft.

The first part is shaded through the pines. There's a small creek flowing downhill along the trail. It looks nice!

As  I continue up, there are peaks of sun but still mostly cloudy.

Soon I arrive at the big meadow. Lot's of leaf color!!

Would look better if the sun was out -- hopefully on the way back.

As I continue up through the meadow and I'm coming upon a pile of rocks covered in vegetation. But there's something dark brown in pile ---- it's a moose!!!

She's got her eyes on me. She's not far from the trail but she's behind a big rock pile so I walk quickly past. When I'm on the other side, I turn and find her again with a clear view.

I watch for awhile; just trying to find out if she has a baby. Soon, she shakes her head and move away from me -- I don't see a little one so I continue up the trail.

A bit further up the trail, I finally reach the first mining tailing pile.

Lots of copper colored water still streaming over the road. It's easy to get over as there is a plank to cross.

Continuing on, I cross a dry creek bed and reach the start of the Private Property signs but I continue up the road. Along the way, I see a lone doe on the downhill side of the road.

Soon I catch sight of those snowy mountain peaks I want to get close to and the Cardiff Mine.

I reach the mine but again lots of Private Property, camera signs so I take a peek and just pass by.

I have a choice now, go left or right. Both roads have snow on them and no foot prints. I don't remember which way I went before but today I go right. Fortunately, it's only a short section of snow and I'm back on dirt. The trail heads back north above the mine before heading back south again.

It finally levels off and I get my first glimpse of those snowy peaks ahead of me!

Come on sun and blue sky!!!!

I continue along the road getting closer to the peaks with every step. But soon I reach the end of my road.

Since I can see only a portion of the peaks, I decide to head up the flat rocks.

It's only about 40 yards before stopping. (Elevation: 9400ft) Here I wait for some blue sky. I get peeks of sun and that will have to do for today,

Pretty incredible place!!!

I would love to wander up here - especially in the summer to see what butterflies actually are here. May be next summer.

(I definitely headed down the left trail last time because I was much lower on the mountain side.)

Time to head back -- it's all down here.

On the way down, I look and find that doe again and she has 2 friends!

All my times on this trail, the only folks I've ever seen are people heading to Donut Falls and are a bit lost. Today, I see 7 people (a group) heading up to Cardiff Pass.

Lots more sun now -- the yellow leaves are popping!

I even manage to find a few asters still hanging on.

I reach the meadow and look for that moose but no luck.

The meadow is pretty incredible at this point!!

As is looking downhill back towards the road!

Stunning day! One moose, two herds of deer, Fall colors and snowy peaks -- awesome time!!