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!
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