Heading to my nemesis from last year - Red Pine Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Made 2 attempts last year; the first was in early June and I got stopped by a snow field only 1/2 miles from the lake (and I did try to get across). And then again in the Fall and again at the very same point (2 1/2 miles in) -- this time by ice.
Today I'm going to be successful.
Beautiful morning; it's already 76 degrees at 8am heading for our first 100 degree day (hot hot).
Not sure if the trailhead will be crowded since its a holiday week-end but I'm hoping not.
I get to the trailhead and there are a good number of cars already but not packed. There are 3 destinations from this one trailhead so hopefully I won't run into many folks. (Its 72 degrees at the trailhead - 7700ft).
Red Pine Lake is a 3mile trip with an elevation gain of 1940ft -- which puts the lake at 9640ft.
And I'm off thru the pine/aspen forest. Tons of Geraniums, wild roses and wild strawberries in bloom along the shady trail. Not to far from the start, I run into about 5 little ground squirrels -- they've got to be babies.
They're a little reckless too -- as one pops out of the vegetation at my feet, does the "oh no! I'm going this way, no that way" dance and because I don't move, resumes feeding. Silly little guy. As I continue to walk they all duck into holes or back into the vegetation -- no alarm cries, nothing.
The brown squirrels are also out and chatting it up.
The red paintbrush is blooming.
Actually I see it all the way to the lake. As well as the Roses, White Columbine,Yellow Columbine (in the wetter spots), larkspur and Penstemon (some really dark blue ones).
After a mile of walking, I make it to the creek. It's still moving with some gusto. If I were heading to White Pine Lake, this is where I would head in a different direction/trail but I'm going to Red Pine so I cross the footbridge over the creek. And thru a wet wooded area with fun stuff like ferns, Twinleaf, Twisted Stalk, etc.
Soon I come across a small rock slide area, lots of chipmunks running around here -- counted 6 and I'm sure there were more.
Just past the slide was a section with the totally tubular Scarlet Gilia blooming -- such a bright beautiful flower.
Was expecting some hummingbirds around it -- it has to be a good nectar source for them.
And then came the overlook with a great view down Little Cottonwood Canyon and out towards the Salt Lake valley. Pretty clear today.
Its been a gradual incline so far but now I'm starting to climb. And its not just a sloped trail, its a rocky trail which means stepping on, over, between rocks (get those quads working today).
There's some nice purple daisies blooming now and those petal-less coneflowers, bluebells, and baneberry.
Finally, I get to stream and its tumbling pretty good down the mountain.
And the stream means I'm getting close the turn-off for Maybird Lakes and my stopping point for my last 2 attempts.
The trail for Maybird Lakes is 2.5 miles into the hike. So far I've gained 1400ft. This is the sloppy, muddy part of the trail but its has some pretty cool flowers: Shooting Star,
Elephants head (love seeing those elephant's trunks),
White Bog Orchids,
Jacob's Ladder and many others.
I'm finally made it to my prior stopping point; no snow or ice today (just mud). I'm making it to Red Pine Lake today!!!
There is still some snow around but not on the trail. It's only 1/2 mile and 500ft to Red Pine Lakes but I hit the wall. My legs are jelly. And there are lots of rocky trail to climb ... it's slow going.
I pass by a large rockslide - big boulders. Further along, I see Spring Beauties and Buttercups.
And then I finally see Red Pine Lake --- she's a beauty with peaks on the North and West Sides.
I think the big peak is Pfeifferhorn and there's still snow on her slopes.
There is an orange tent on the south west end -- not a bad place to camp. I see (and hear) a little (tiny) waterfall on the north-end. The trail tracks down the east side so I'm heading on over to check out the little falls.
The trail is surrounded by nice meadow with a few blooming plants, but in a few weeks it'll look amazing.
I get to the north side and the view down the lake to the south is pretty nice.
But its pretty tricky here because there's a big boulder field. I think this is what I need to go up to the Upper Red Pine Lake but my jelly legs are saying "no" - and my stomach is saying "feed me". I work my way thru the rocks and hook up with the trail by the lake and make my way to the little falls.
Along the way I see a very large water falls dropping down the mountain side into the stream which comes into Red Pine Lake. I need to get closer but first, food.
I find a nice spot by the creek and the little waterfalls for lunch.
Than afterwards I follow a rough dirt trail towards the bigger falls. I believe the water is coming from the Upper Red Pine Lake. Its uphill and I'm following along the creek.
I keep following the creek until I reach a large boulder field. I'm tempted to keep climbing along the creek. It's not that much farther to the top and probably Upper Red Pine Lake. But decide I'll get there another day.
When I turn back, the view back down isn't so bad.
Heading back down the lake, I see a blue butterfly (finally the 1st bfly of the day) and then a yellow Sulpher. They just fly through so I couldn't get an ID. Same for a Crescent, no ID. But I did see a Clodius Parnassian. And then the sun disappeared behind the clouds.
As I head back down, I see a very busy woodpecker. I think he's a Hairy Woodpecker.
Many people heading up to Red Pine Lake now.
I see a blooming Twisted Stalk along a wet part of the trail.
I've seen the plant a lot this year but it's always past bloom so I was nice seeing one blooming.
And even without sun, I see a Western Tailed Blue.
I have less than 1.5 miles left and I see a brown guinea pig like animal on the rocks. He's a Wasatch Pika! And he's so cute.
I would've thought they'd be higher up - so I'm surprised - but I am over 7700 ft. At least he is in a rocky section of the trail. (I checked when I got home and the Wasatch Pika is listed as endangered (species of concern). So seeing one is now even more exciting!)
Great day and I finally conquered Red Pine Lake!!! And saw a Wasatch Pika - my first!!!
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