August 15 - Albion Basin

Off to Albion Basin today. Wanted to check out the flowers or what's still blooming as its going close to be Fall in the upper elevations.

Beautiful morning today.

The dirt summer access road has seen better days, getting pretty bumpy and there are large holes. Definitely a shock/strut test for the car. The small parking area has a good number of cars already; kinda surprising for a Friday. It's a balmy 52 degrees.

I get out of my car and realize there a really strong wind blowing today -- my favorite hiking cap blew off my head into a large muddy puddle of water :( (Lucky I carry a spare.) Kinda chilly for shorts and a t-shirt but I do have a long sleeve shirt. I'm sure I'll get warm with the climb.

Would be warmer if the sun were totally out but there are large poofie clouds for it to deal with. Since its windy, I'm not going up Sunset Peak; I just need that perfect day - I know I'm not going to get blown off but its still a warm fuzzy for me.

I start up the trail slowly looking at what's left of the flowers and for moose, deer and other critters. There's a fair number flowers still in bloom: a few Geraniums, Lupine, lots of Paintbrush, mint and various Asters, etc. I think the two "flowers of plenty" are:

I spot a small herd of deer (including a buck) walking up the flower-filled hill from me. (There were 4 doe.) They looked at me and slowly walked into the woods. Must be the harem for the Fall rut.

I looked further up the hill and there was a larger buck.  Both buck were still in velvet.

I continue up to Catherine's Pass. The yellow/brown of fading flowers is evident in spots. But there are more than plenty bright colors of still blooming plants.

There are plenty of fuzzy lupine seed pods but equally plenty purple flowers.

Catherine's Pass is wonderful as always. The sun is at the perfect angle and Catherine Lake is glistening in the still early morning light - ok, its around 10am but the sun is just making over the mountain.

Lots of chipmunks out today and they are not afraid of people; they're just doing their thing which today is chowing these yellow flowers.

I walk up on a few of them and they are oblivious. Must be good eats!

I stared at Sunset Peak, even talked about it to a group of 3 people - I was just wondering if the trail is exposed. They said no and of the guys even offered to go up with me. I declined but it was really nice of him to offer. (Still can't get over the wind - crazy I know, I'll get there.)

On the way down, many folks coming up -- must be a lot of folks off today or maybe it's the last hurrah before school starts.

Did find an Elephanthead plant still in bloom -- just one.

Saw a hummingbird nectaring on Paintbrush.

Short but good day. (Time to go mow my lawn, love the rain we've been getting.)