Didn't think I'd do any hiking because last night the weatherman said Monday will be cloudy and sunning up in the afternoon -- so I made alternate plans. But when I woke up --- it was sunny! (The weather has been totally opposite what was predicted for the last 5 days -- I got lucky today.)
I head off to Little Cottonwood Canyon --- the canyon trail. Haven't been here since the end of Dec so its time to check out how the trail is --- its at the lower part of the canyon so I curious about the snow -- how much is left.
I check the main entrance first --- the road is clear but the gate is still down. So I drive up the canyon to the alternate entrance. No snow at the lower end of the canyon and none on the south facing slopes. But for the north facing slopes there is snow and the further up the canyon I go, the more snow there is.
I park and check the hill I have to go down. I can actually see gravel on the upper part; but the lower part is still snow packed. I get to the bottom and it really doesn't look like there's been a lot of traffic down here in a while. There is a trail thru the snow but its a tiny one and none of the shoe prints look very fresh. And there's a fair amount of snow down here
-- but definitely melting (its about 44 degrees).
But onward, I go towards the end of the trail at the old brick building. Even though there are few footprints, I'm following moose tracks -- they are actually going the opposite direction and they're big. Even wider when their toes are splaid. Kinda of fun to think about a moose discovering and easy way through the woods made by humans. :)
The snow is hard to walk on because its melting -- in some spots its icy (but I have my YakTraks which grip me in), in others its hardpacked and easy walking, and in the rest, just wet melting snow - slip, slip.
The water is flowing pretty good.
I wander thru the snow to the creek -- I'm in my favorite position, over the knee in snow -- but I get to the river and hop on some rocks in the middle of the creek for a better view.
Further up the trail, I got off the trail again to get to the little bridge that crosses to the building.
I don't go across but rather head to the end of trail viewpoint just ahead. I can see the thick snow along the river -- seems like its in many layers than on solid piece. I'm assuming it reflects the amount of snowfall for each storm over this winter.
The little box where I've eaten supper many times is just packed in about 3 feet of snow -- I'm standing on it to view the river (I was actually expecting to fall thru the snow but it never happened.) Time to turn around and head down to the other end -- and maybe find that moose.
Now I'm heading in the direction of the tracks --- I'm scanning the woods because although I'd like to see a moose -- I don't want to run into a moose. :) I do find Fir cones; Douglas Fir cones with their little mouse tails sticking out and a bird's nest from last season. I do find a moose track showing that they do slip sometimes. And perhaps a raccon track.
Nice to follow the trail and hear the creek flowing. I get to the first water station -- see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell (bfly) amongst the snow --- he finds an unsnowy rock to soak up the sun.
On the other side of the station, no more water flowing. A little further is a bridge that crosses over the creek - nothing but snow in the creekbed.
Also I'm curious what the moose does at the bridge --- will he cross? Nope, his tracks disappear and their not in the snow covered streambed below -- not sure where he went.
The lower I go in altitude, the less snow there is, especially in the woods. The creek starts to flow again --- the mountain runoff. Not very heavy but I can hear it. I come to another footbridge (smaller than the other) still following the moose tracks and he doesn't cross bridge, instead his tracks go thru the water.
I'm heading still lower to a larger bridge and waterfall --- there's actually a dirt trail now and I follow it to the bridge. There's water flowing but not a lot. I see a greyish bird on a rock in the creek. He's bouncing up-n-down. Then he dives into the water and comes out the other side of the bridge. He then continues to bounce and get into the water. At one point I thought he'd get swept down the small falls but he never did. (I think it may be a Dipper???)
But no moose and its time to turn around and head back up the hill (and back into the snow).
That hike (because of the snow) was harder than it should've been - whew!
Decide to head up to the ski resorts to check out the mountains --- it's sure is beautiful up there.
And I got to watch a guy shovel show off a roof.
And I make a quick stop and the Red/White Pine Trailhead --- lots of snow!!
Great day!
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