April 27 - Little Cottonwood Trail (let it snow, let it snow, let it snow)

A good soaking rain yesterday and mid-40 degree highs brought snow to the mountains' higher elevations (5500+ ft). But even though is about 44 and cloudy this morning I'm headed out to the Little Cottonwood Trail this morning -- maybe I'll run into some snow at the end of the trail.

Lots of folks headed up to the Alta Ski resort this morning - I believe its the only resort still open - there's fresh powder to ski!

I'm thinking I'll have to park in the upper lot again (last time the main lot was still closed) but as I pass by, the lot is open. Unfortunately, I'm in a long line of cars and a quick stop/turn could cause an accident. I'll just follow my original plan.

Its cloudy in the valley but I can tell its still snowing in the upper elevations. As I continue to climb, there's fresh snowfall on the trees and ground (none on the road). Get to the parking area, the small lot is full -- now if people wouldn't leave a 1/2 car width when parking next to another car, there would be room for me and at least one other car. Oh well, I'll just go back down and park in the main lot. It also has some advantages 1) I get the uphill first 2) I get a longer hike 3) I can check out the flowers at the lower elevation.

Well it was 38 degrees at the upper lot, it 44 down here. I get my gear and start up the hill. There is some flower life down here -- blue larkspur and

the yellow Oregon grape is blooming.

There are no river sounds down here, just a dry river bed. I get above the electrical plant and now there's water flowing. Much more than a few weeks back but still far from the peak. The water is loud enough to drown out most of the car noises from the road above.

Its snowing now -- not very hard, just a very light flurry (better than a light drizzle when its barely above 40).

It see some Solomon's Seal; it does have buds but no flowers yet.

As I climb higher, I start seeing last night's snowfall. Just touches on the grasses and some trees. But as I get even higher, its more of a layer of snow on the ground, trees, etc. It's also snowing harder. It sure looks pretty.

I find a yellow spring flower that doesn't seem to like last night's snow/cold; hopefully it will recover.

I'm below the other parking area now. The trail is still a stream but only about an inch deep -- definitely cross-able today. (There are two men behind me and one mentions that yesterday, the trail was a rushing rapids --- oh what a difference a day makes especially a cold one.)

I take one of trails down to the river -- looks nice.

I climb up to the bridge before the trail end --- its covered in snow; not going across.

At the end of the trail, the old concrete building has a snowy ground and trees -- not something I'd expect in late April. And its still snowing.

I make a short stop at the end for a quick snack before heading back down.

Make a quick stop because the snow-covered moss looks pretty.

I take another one of the trails down to the river.

Also notice some Waterleaf just starting to bloom.

The sun is out before I get back to the parking lot. Hoping for some bflies but its still in the 40s -- not much of a chance.

Good hike. (A little strange though because there were no birds, no squirrels...)