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!!