Sept 26 - Twin Lake Reservoir

Last day before a Fall Storm drops temps and bring rain to the valley and snow to the mountains (down to 7500 foot levels -- at least that's the predication). Probably the last time to see the full Fall colors in the higher elevations. (The winds yesterday were really knocking down leaves on my hike to Desolation Lake and the winds are supposed to be stronger today.)

I originally was heading to White Pine Lake. But after yesterday, I just don't feel like a 10 mile hike. Thought about Albion Basin, Brighton Lakes but decided to go to Twin Lake Reservoir and, hopefully, Twin Lakes Pass.

Beautifully sunny in the valley this morning but as I get closer to the Big Cottonwood entrance, there's a big dark cloud hanging over the mountains --- there's no threat of rain this morning so the cloud is curious to me. But up I go. Many more people heading up the canyon this morning -- it was empty yesterday.

I pass Millcreek D parking lot (from yesterday) and I'm in an explosion of yellow aspens. Really very pretty!

I park at the Nordic Center and have located the big black cloud -- right over the ski resorts (and the Nordic Center). Ugh!

But I take off anyway. It's a little cool. Not many people out but I think the kids must not have school today because there's a bunch of kids running around. Hmm!

It's already very windy --  hopefully, it'll blow the clouds away soon.

Despite the shade, the meadow, in all different shades of tan, looks great as the foreground to the mountains. I walk around counter-clockwise to get to the TH faster. There's some nice reflection is the smaller pools of water this morning. (The lake has a lot of algae on top.)

I start the trail through aspens -- so beautiful. And up above Silver Lake. I wait for an opening in the clouds for the sun to shine through to get the best experience.

Then its just a push uphill over a very rocky path to the Twin Lakes.

Very windy up here! I find a nice rock on the beach and enjoy the view - and watch the clouds zoom over -- they are moving fast, but they just keep coming :(.

There some nice yellow/orange trees down the beach from me.

I finally get tired of waiting and start to head back but first take a little detour on a trail that goes above the lake -- the one I would take if I went to Twin Lake Pass (which I'm not because its too windy). I stop to get an above view of the lake.

Now I'm heading down. Spot a Field Crescent flying around -- very low to the ground, out of the wind.

Many more people heading up now even groups of kids.

I get to the trail above Silver Lake and the sun has peaked out of the clouds and there's some awesome views.

I see a Pika on the rocks.

Back down by Silver Lake, it looks like a Saturday/Sunday -- so many people, strollers, etc. Time to go home. :)

But the views heading back around the lake are sure better than they were earlier. What a difference a little sun makes.

Shorter than expected day, but still good.

Sept 25 - Fall Colors (Desolation Lake - Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Fall colors are at their peak (and probably fading) in the higher elevations right now. Took an unplanned vacation day to get up there and chase the colors before this week-end's rains and snow knock down the leaves.

Today, heading for Desolation Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon. I have never been there before so I'm pretty excited - something new. The trail is 3.3 miles to the lake and starts at 7295ft; the lake is at 9232ft. Another 0.5 miles and ~500ft get me above the lake on what is called the "Spine" - or the Wasatch Crest -- a ridge separating Big Cottonwood and Park City (~2400ft in elevation gain).

I actually get an early start; at the TH around 8:30am. Not many cars -- as I would expect for a Thursday. Although its light out, the sun is still blocked by the mountains in spots -- so the trail is mostly in the shade. I'm sure there are some nice yellow leaves on the mountains (I see the yellow-leaved aspens as I pass them) but the rising sun is fading them out. (They will be better on my way back I'm sure.)

The trail is a pretty gradual incline as it rises above the canyon floor.The trail parallels the canyon floor for a bit before curving away.

The aspen have definitely changed colors but the scrub oak are still green - they are the latest tree to actually change to fall colors.

The trail traverses through conifers, aspen and other deciduous trees. There are still some flowers mostly purple asters and yellow composites but there are a just few paintbrush, geraniums, mint still blooming (not many though).

A man coming down the trail tells me that there are 2 large moose at the creek. I'm not sure where the creek is but I'm heading towards and hopefully the moose will still be there.

I'm winding thru forest, on ridges looking down into canyons (and summer houses), and in wonderful meadows - these look like perfect moose habitat but nothing so far. Some of the meadows have a background of mountains covered by yellow & green aspens.

I see a single dragonfly in one of those meadows. And in another, a Milbert's Tortoiseshell.

I come upon the creek. I slow down to check both sides of the creek for the moose but see nothing.

The creek eventually disappears and I stop to look around. An older man passes me by and says "No moose." He talked to the same guy I had, and told me that we have past the area. (Grrrr!).

So after I'm at a split in the trail -- go left and head to Dog or go right to Desolation Lake. I'm heading right -- only 1.9 miles to go.

Pretty much the same landscape along the way. I finally come to a large meadow. Lots of yellow aspen here. (A lot of aspen are just tree skeletons as their leaves have already fallen.  I also see a ridge ahead and I'm pretty sure that's the "Spine". The single trail splits into three. I don't see the lake and not sure which trail to take but I take the right fork and within feet see Desolation Lake.

The lake is pretty but the water levels are low. But it looks pretty cool as the beach isn't flat it dips --- like a bowl. And I can see the previous levels of the lake as they are different colors.

I decide to walk to the other end of the lake. The water is perfectly clear and calm. I see something that swims like a frog but could not get a good look due to the glare of the sun.

Along the shore are some huge hoof prints. I'm thinking moose but I've read that elk tend to hang out there. (Have never seen a UT elk -- someday.) There are also tinier prints -- probably deer.

At the other end of the lake, I stop to rest on a log. The view is stunning.

It's not 11am yet but I'm hungry, time for some cheetos :) (Quick energy fix!)

I make my way around the rest of the lake. I even scare up a pretty battered Mourning Cloak that was sunning itself on some rocks.

After rounding the lake, I'm torn as to whether to go up to the "Spine" or head back and do another trail --- still looking for more leaf color. I decide to go up -- I've walked over 3 miles to get, another 1/2 mile is nothing.

I meet the older man again -- he's heading down. He tells me that the view is perfect up there - crystal clear. Now I really need to go up. I spot a very low growing plant with a yellow flower. Looks like a miniature Wallflower.

Before I know it, I'm on "Spine". Really windy up here. But its a perfect view. I can see down on the lake. I can see all these wonderful fall colors --- including a line of aspen with absolutely no leaves -- really stands out. I can see down to the Salt Lake Valley and see the Kennecott Copper mine on the other side.

I turned around and I'm looking down on Park City and the ski resorts. Beautiful colors on this side as well. Just an amazing place!

I find some shade under a few pine trees. I look to my right and Park City is below.

I look left and there's Desolation Lake down below.

Not a bad spot for lunch :) And also a stealthy one, while there I had 3 bikers ride past and 2 hikers and no one saw me.

After lunch, I decide to go just a little further up the "Spine" - just trying to get far end of the lake.

I get high enough that I can actually see what looks like the Great Salt Lake over the mountains.

I could go further but its time to start heading back.

The trail back is sunny -- and the yellows are more vibrant.

And I'm seeing more people -- all heading up.

The whole day there's been small noises in the forest -- just chipmunks, squirrels moving around as I pass. But this time, its a big noise. I catch a view of a tan body --- must be a deer -- but there's lots of brush in the way. It moves into a small opening and I see its a 4-point buck. Its just a quick look but I stand still. The deer knows I'm there. Then he moves behind a big tree and looks back.

And the disappears.  More that woke me up!!

I get back to the creek area. I see a Hoary Comma on the rocks. And there are at least 3 Mylitta Crescents flitting around.

What a great day -- set out to see the high elevation colors -- mission accomplished!!

Sept 13 - Naturalist Basin (Uintas)

This morning I'm off to a trail I've been wanting to do for almost 2 years - Naturalist Basin. Just the name of the trail makes me excited to see the "basin". But it will take just over 5 miles of hiking to get me there. And once there, its an 8 mile loop past 7 lakes and some hiking near 11,000 ft.

That's a backpacking trip; my goal is simply the 1st 5+ miles to the Basin. Thought about going to Jordan Lake (~6 miles) but that's 2 extra miles I have to walk -- that's a long hike at 10,000 ft of elevation. (There's always next summer.)

The basin sits behind Mount Agassiz which I saw yesterday from the Highline TH. The mountain is , named for a well-known Swiss-American naturalist - Louis Agassiz. Several of the lakes in the basin are named after students of Agassiz's -- many well-known scientists or naturalists as well - hence the name Naturalist Basin.

In the morning, start my trip back to the Uintas with a deer sighting. A doe, she just casually walked across the highway to a barbed-wire fence and leapt over it and walked away. Perfect start to the morning -- not too mention its a couple of degrees warmer today - yea!

Got to the trailhead (the Highline Trail) just before 9am. Plenty of parking available.

Although the trail is 5 miles long, there are some nice mileage markers to look forward to along the way: at 0.7 miles is the trail to Mirror Lake; at 2 miles is Scudder Lake; at 3 miles is the trail to Packard Lake and at 4.2 miles the trail to Naturalist Basin and the Highline Trail split. One more mile I'm there.

The trail starts downhill, pretty much the same landscape as yesterday - thick fir/spruce forest, running water, and big open meadows. The morning sun adds a nice glow to the forest.

The trail itself changes between just dirt (or mud), to a more tricky dirt with rocks/tree roots, to boardwalks, to just rocky - but it never climbs to steeply which is nice. Lots of little streams to walk by or over.

I stop to tie my shoe. My foot is resting on a long log when this little chipmunk comes running down the log in my direction carrying a pine cone in his mouth. He was oblivious of me until he got about 5 feet away. He spotted me (can a chipmunk look startled?) turned around and sped off very fast down the log. Cute!

The first meadow I came upon was really stunning with the golden brown hues of the grasses and red low bushes. (The mountains in the background weren't so bad either.)

Then came Scudder Lake. My book said it was off to the south but I thought it would be very visible. from the trail Not so much, only peaks of it through the trees.

I come upon the next meadow. I scan hoping to see a moose or other wildlife. But nothing. Then I look up the trail and there's a Mule Deer (doe) crossing from the meadow across the trail and into the woods. She stops and looks in my direction. I think she's trying to decide whether I'm friend or foe but she takes a couple of steps towards me and then freezes.

A few seconds later, she prances off into the forest. :)

The meadow has a nice view of one of the mountains behind it.

Soon I reach the Packard Lake trail -- I'm moving at a good pace - I like that. No views of Packard Lake because it's about 1.5 miles down the trail.

I actually find some flowers -- just a few purple asters.

There are lots of birds flitting around and I can hear the knocks of many woodpeckers.

Finally, I'm at the Highline Trail junction! Only one more mile to go!!!

At last, I see my first people of the day; 3 men coming down from an overnight fishing trip.

There's another meadow -- but not the one I'm waiting for. I'm really excited, I can feel it getting closer. And then finally, I hear the creek I'm expecting. Then I see the creek with beautiful red fall foliage along her shores AND with a large rock formation (the Uinta Cliffs) in the background.

Even down stream looks fantastic!!

I see a couple of Gray Jays flying around the meadow.

I walk on the stepping stones to cross the creek.

This is where the trail starts the circle of the basin. I'm not doing the circle or even a portion of it but I'm very intrigued and continue down the trail to the right for at least a little ways. I find a great spot for lunch. Can't beat the view.

Find a mountain gentian blooming in the meadow.

After lunch, I decide to continue along the trail. I really want to get past the Unitas Cliffs to see the full mountain view. As I get further, Mt Agazzi comes into view.

But I start to climb heading up to Jordan Lake, time to turn around (for another day).

On the way back down the meadow, I spot a little pond to the left - don't know how I missed it.

I'm back to the stream crossing, taking one last look. I spot a Milbert's Tortoiseshell and surprisedly a Lilac Bordered Copper (he still looked pretty fresh -- surprised he's still flying especially with the freezing temperatures at night).

Now one last view and its just the long walk back.

I had a stare down with a chipmunk -- he just sat there barking and waving his tail.

Saw more people on the way back. There were 3 folks almost to Naturalist Basin; 2 guys on pack horses heading back to the TH; and 3 people on horses heading up.

Also saw a California Tortoiseshell -- again a little shocking for me due to the time of year.

I managed to get back just after 3:30 and boy am I tired and hungry. But it was a fantastic hike!! Can't wait for next year -- definitely getting to one lake and hopefully with the meadows filled with flowers.

Hoping for a quick drive back to Evanston but .... in my life, I've been stopped while driving by people, other cars, squirrel, rabbits, birds, cows, deer, bison but today, its a Sheep Jam!!!

A moving roadblock brought to HWY 150 by the WY sheep herders -- I'm assuming just bringing the herd back down to winter pasture. Totally hilarious!!!

Super day!

Sept 12 - A Uinta Mountains HodgePodge

Well, with summer coming to a close, especially in the high country, its time to go up and see some new sights in the Uintas before the snow begins to stick.

And this morning, feels like winter. 43 degrees in SLC, 39 degrees in Park City - I got a late start hoping that country 3000+ ft higher than Park City would warm up a bit before I got there. And it worked, it was a whole 43 degrees at 10am - break out them mittens!

I planned to hike Lofty Loop today - I did a portion of it this summer on a very windy day and turned back, I was hoping to complete it today. But, I changed my mind at the last minute and thought it was probably better to let my body to adjust to 10-11K ft for a day.

So my first stop was the Provo River Falls. I've been here before but it's really pretty and definitely worth a stop. The River Falls is a waterfall, actually 3 separate cascading falls.

Then there's a river and a second falls and then a third. I usually work my way over the rocks to the lower falls but today, surprise, there's a trail that actually goes to the lower falls!

I drove up the road a little bit and made a quick stop at the Bald Mt Pass Overlook --- I just had to stop because the moon was still out and it was large.

Next I stopped at Mirror Lake. I've been here a couple of times. Its a 1 mile hike around the lake. Many fishermen out today. Some of them are fishing from shore and other are in kayaks or other inflatable craft.

Mirror Lake is not much of a "mirror" today; many ripples due to the light wind = no mountain reflections. But the mountains still look awesome!

The vegetation around the lake is all dry but I can still find the stalks of once bloomed Elephanthead as I circle the lake. Surprisedly, its still very wet here - I can hear water running off the mountains. Many muddy spots to find a way around. The low brush here is a deep red - quite beautiful.

The only flowers I find are a couple of purple asters.

I do find some fresh deer tracks in the mud.

The one boardwalk still has frost on it and one of the water puddles is  frozen --- And to think I was actually considered camping this week-end (brrrrrr).

Had lunch at the lake and then I basically drove across the street to the Fehr Lake TH. (This was my Sunday hike  but it got moved up a few days.) I have never been here before. The TH is at 10,377 ft; the hike a 3.4mile round tripper; the elevation gain is about 475 ft - all on the way back to the TH.

Fehr Lake is actually the first lake about 1/2 mile down the trail. The start of the trail is a boardwalk crossing a wet meadow and then drops into a fir/spruce forest. Lots of wet still around; but thankfully no mosquitoes!

There are many squirrels running around.

As I drop down to Fehr Lake, I pass a rock ledge -- almost looks like a terrace.

Then comes a huge meadow - all brown but one red paintbrush flower. Stuck out like a sore thumb.

Fehr Lake was much bigger than I thought it would be. On the right side was Bald Mt -- there a large patch of deciduous trees on the mountain that are turning a wonderful yellow.

The trail skirts the east side of the lake - lots of mud on the trail in spots.

The view from the far side of the lake is pretty.

Between Fehr Lake and Shepard Lake are more meadows and forest. In the one meadow, I find a large grey bird -- a Gray Jay.

There's a little pond on the right and there are Mountain Gentians blooming. Not a lot -- and they are very small - only a few inches high.

A little further down the trail is another pond; it's much bigger than the 1st. Found moose scat around the pond.

Along the trail, I find a still blooming buttercup (he was supposed to be done blooming in the Spring  - a very confused plant).

I finally see Shepard Lake through the trees and pretty soon, I'm on her shores. Big Lake. Like Fehr, she's surrounded by conifers and there's red-leaved low brush as well. And Bald Mt is still viewable from the shore.

I keep hearing water flowing. It sounds like a waterfall on the other shore. It takes some time but I finally find the small waterfall on the opposite shore. Still amazed it's still flowing at this time of the year when the snow's long gone.

The trail leads down the east shore of the lake. Quite muddy here -- and my left gymshoe can prove it (I knew I should've put my hikers on - oops).

When I get to the other end, I look for a trail to continue around the lake -- just want to see the waterfall. I couldn't find one but I'm sure if I were really ambitious I could make my own -- but not today. Instead, I just keep following the main trail to the final lake.

Which is Hoover Lake. She's at 9,220 ft and the largest of the 3 lakes. Still quite wet along the shores. I didn't go very far down the shore but found a nice rock to sit and listens to the sounds of the wind/water and an occasional bird.

On the way back, I find Harebells still blooming.

Back in the car, I make a quick stop at Butterfly Lake -- lots of fishermen here . And then at the Highline Trail. This is my starting point tomorrow.

I make my way off trail to a little pond/lake with Mount Agassiz overlooking it.

Now I'm heading to my hotel in Evanston WY.

The drive to Evanston was fantastic. I was looking for fall colors up there but forgot I'm for the most part too high in elevation (fir/spruce forest). But as I drop in elevation, I'm driving through the greens, yellow/green, dirty yellows and bright yellows of aspen. Pretty impressive at 55mph. And it's still not peak season.

I make a quick stop at a wet meadow that is wonderfully fall-looking.

Then comes the rangeland of SW WY - all nice and green from the late rains. Lots of hay farms; the hay has already been cut and rolled - still green. Some farmers have the hay rolls stacked while others, the rolls are scattered across the fields.

Lots of cattles, horses and sheep. It just missing those old falling barns to make perfect.

What a great day!

Sept 7 - Lake Solitude

Again, looking for something short without a lot of elevation change -- slim pickings around here -- but decide on the Solitude Nordic Center: a walk around Silver Lake and up to Solitude Lake (probably 3.5 miles total -- 300 ft elevation).

The drive up was pretty empty of cars, as were some of the trailheads; could it be the post-Labor Day blues???? But the runners and bikers were climbing. And winter can't be far off, saw at least 5 folks on their cross-country roller blades climbing the canyon.

Pretty morning, sunny low 50s. The mountains are set against a clear blue sky and brown ground vegetation. Looks very crisp this morning.

Not a lot of folks here yet but then its Sunday and 8:30. I walk around the right side of the lake to get to the Solitude Lake trail quicker. Hoping to see a moose but there doesn't look to be any around Silver Lake. Only a mouse or shrew running across the trail.

Still mostly green here mainly because of the large number of conifers. And surprisedly, the aspen are not really changing unlike my trip to the Mormon Trail the other day --- and its much higher in elevation here (8500+ ft).

But it still looks very pretty.

Make it down the side of the lake and start up towards Lake Solitude. All ground vegetation is pretty much bloomed out with stalks are turning yellow. There are a few asters still hanging out but only a few. The aspens are still green. Most of the walk is in the shade of the mountains.

I get to Solitude Lake and its still totally in the shade. No moose, no deer, no people. I think about finding the trail to head up to Twin Lakes but thought better of it. So I headed down.

Many more people heading up.

My favorite moment of the day: As I headed down the trail, there's a Dad and his little daughter (maybe 3 1/2yrs old) on there knees on the ground looking at something. As I get nearer the Dad gets up and tells his daughter that they need to go. And the little girl says "But I want to watch the caterpillar!". (So cute -- and exactly what kids are supposed to be doing, exploring nature!!) Then I stopped to watch the caterpillar -- a big guy w/ a blue antenna on his backside.

I get back to Silver Lake and start to complete the rest of the loop. Many more people around now. I stop at a little dock and there's a chipmunk on the dock looking for scraps. There are also some female Mallard ducks on the lake doing their morning preening. (Don't know where the males are - all females.)

Two ducks are swimming towards the dock making a nice little wave in the water. As they pass, I can hear them not quacking but slapping their bills shut over and over again. Must be some form of communication.

Around the other end, there are 2 blue dragonflies patrolling that one stretch of trail.

Another short, but good day!

Sept 5 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

Just a short hike after a tough work week (definitely the fresh air). The Pioneer Trail is the destination -- needed something kinda flat because of a sore knee.

The drive up Parley's Canyon is definitely getting colorful as more and more trees start to change. Mostly pops of red and oranges from the Maples so far.

When I start driving down the dirt road to the trailhead, the grasses are browning/yellowing and in addition to the red/oranges of the Maples, the willows/cottonwoods/aspen are starting to turn yellow. It's not an all out color change -- just in spots.

Beautiful day - sunny and a cool 72 at the trailhead.

The TH was empty as I started about noon. I wasn't planning on going to the end, only a couple of miles.

At the start of the "real" trail there are several bflies flying and nectaring on the asters and yellow composites: coppers, field crescents, woodland skippers and a Small Wood Nymph. But the bflies are in a flying and chasing mood today (i.e., hard to get good views)

I see this really cool seedhead - its purple and spiky 1/2in ball. Just a single plant and I have no idea what it is.

Not a lot of blooming plants - but the flower blooms are being replaced by colorful tree/shrub leaves. The maples (although not many) are really beautiful.

See a Western Tailed Blue shaking his little tail. He's missing the upper tip of both wings but he's flying fine. Lots on Woodland Skipper zipping a bout.

I see one Frit  and a little further down the trail, a pretty beaten Great Spangled Frit.

I arrive at the large meadow of the Pioneer Camp. The grasses (and plants) are pretty dry and brown. Tons of large brown grasshoppers along the trail - I'm hoping to avoid one flying in my mouth. :)

I see a Mylitta Crescent.

There is one spot of red above the meadow in a sea of still green leaves.

The wispy white clouds look interesting.

I get to the pond and quickly notice that there are not many dragonflies out. I do see a Darner (blue) and a Red Meadowhawk. I only see about 4-5 flying around as their season comes to an end.

I also notice 3 trails down to the pond. I'm wondering if these are new animal trails as there weren't here several weeks ago (and I don't ever remember seeing them before). The one trail goes up the hillside. I also find an area where the grasses are all flatten -- perhaps a animal bed. Hmmm...makes me want to come out here really early in the morning to see if these are deer or moose.

There's a Satyr Comma and Pearl Crescent flying near the pond.

I continue past the pond to about the 2 mile mark before turning back.

All day I watched bflies chasing each other, even different species of bflies and finally I see 2 Woodland Skippers sharing nectar from a single flower.

As always, good day!