Oct 31 - A Halloween Jaunt to Cecret Lake (Albion Basin)

Since it's Halloween and since its still unseasonably warm (mid-70s) with the bottom falling out Saturday afternoon/evening, time to head up one last time this year to the Albion Basin (road should close on Nov 1) and take a short hike to Cecret Lake.

This is my first time to Cecret Lake but not the Albion Basin. I just have to drive the dirt road about 1 mile further to be at the Cecret Lake parking.

Sunny day and already windy. 70s in the valley around noon.

The scrub oak on the foothills are loosing their leaves now. Some sections are pretty bare. Turning into Little Cottonwood canyon there are very few leaves left - that's to be expected its the end of Oct.

When I get to the ski resorts, there are strips of snow, they must have the snow making machines out getting them ready. But the only "real" snow is well above 10,000 feet - and it sure looks pretty up there.

The dirt road to the basin seems even worse then last time I was here -- looks like a mine field in spots. I'm not sure how crowded it will be just hoping to get parking. I know its not peak season and its a Friday, but I've never got here this late. But as I pull up to the 1st parking lot, I'm relieved as its empty!

I continue heading to the next/final parking. Very holey in spots, I'm driving on the very edge. When I get to the lot, there are only a few cars. It's much cooler up here at 9,900 ft - about 44 degrees - and very windy.

The trail is a short 0.8 miles to the lake and a gain of 458 ft.

Definitely a different view. I usually look down on the meadow surrounding the parking lot when I walk up to Catherine's Pass. Now, I actually get to see that trail as it goes up the mountain.

I'm not sure where the trailhead is but eventually find it and start the hike. Pretty quiet other than the sounds of the wind blowing. Flowers are gone; only brown, dry stalks remain. There's a few small creeks that are frozen in spots.

The trail merges into a road and strangely I have to step off the trail to let a sewage truck by -- maybe doing the end of season clean-out of the campground but definitely not something I expected to see.

I come to a trail heading off to the left and figure that's the way I have to go -- why would anyone stay on the road? I think I'm on the right trail but start to wonder when the trail gets a little more obscure and then splits.

Just on a gut feeling (I think the lake is to the right), I take the right branch.

The trail is on the edge of the forest and in one spot snow covered. I see two people ahead and ask if I'm heading to Cecret Lake. Their answer was not really (boy am I glad I took the right branch of the trail). I actually wasn't that far off and the trail I was on leads to the Cecret Lake trail. (I should've stayed on road - oops!)

Finally, I'm heading in the right direction. Beautiful views of the mountains which are getting closer with every step. Sun is just over the peaks.

There's a little climb up a mountain. It's a gradual climb with the mountain on the right and a meadow down below. I'm looking for any animal life but nothing.

Very rocky here -- mostly big boulders.

The trail comes into a little gorge. Very steep on the left. I can hear water running and there are large icicles on the gorge wall facing me. I'm kinda stuck as I don't know whether to proceed thru the gorge (which doesn't look fun) or go up and over. I just don't want pick the wrong way and have to backtrack.

I look back and see 2 young guys heading up the trail. I wait and ask them which way to go. This was their 1st time on the trail so they weren't sure but they just went up and over. (A little less cautious them me.) Once they got on top, they looked around and came back to tell me come their way. I'm not too excited about that (a little steep) so I turn around and head back down the trail.

I go about 50 ft and see that I actually missed the switchback - a little longer but much safer route -- so up I go. Two switchbacks later, I'm at my "stuck point" and probably should have followed them but I like the way I finally took.

Cecret Lake is a small glacial lake and is the source of the Little Cottonwood Creek. This area gets about 50 feet of snow a year -- lots of snow for skiing and water for the SLC area after the melt.

I head around the lake to the west. The lake sits at the base of a mountain - its not surrounded though. The water is definitely not calm today with the strong wind. Clouds have now covered the sun.

I find a nice spot on the western shore to enjoy the lake. There are only 4 other folks here: the 2 guys that past me and 2 ladies. Pretty peaceful. But I wish the sun would come back - it's sunny/blue skies everywhere but right where I'm at. :(

Getting a little cold so I start heading back. I don't get very far down the switchback when I notice that the clouds have almost passed and the sun should be out soon. So I head back to the lake and wait.

And I wasn't disappointed.

Time to head back.

Heading down a see a bluebird fly into the trees.

And a little further down, I see a long white weasel (Ermine) along the trail! He goes under a rock. I stop and wait. I see a white head pop out and try and zoom my camera in quickly for a look. But he runs off into the forest. When I pass the area, I look for him but nothing. Still very exciting!

Great day! Bring on the snow!!!

Happy Halloween!

Oct 24 - White Pine Lake

Forecast is for a 79 degree day in the valley - way above normal. But it's a great day to finally get up to White Pine Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon (before the temperature bottom falls out and the snow starts flying up there).

Warmish morning - mid-50s and very windy. The Scrub Oak on the Foothills are in full autumn colors - dark reds and oranges. But after driving a little into Little Cottonwood Canyon (and gaining some elevation), Fall is over. The leaves have fallen (yes, there are a few stranglers) and just the skeletons of the trees are visible. Stark reality that winter will get here ... eventually.

White Pine Lake shares the White Pine Trailhead with the Red Pine Lake and Maybird Lakes trails. I've been to both Red Pine and Maybird Lakes earlier this year. The trail to all 3 lakes share the same path for the first 0.8 miles before White Pine splits off to the left.

The trailhead was in 50s but it seemed really cold -- perhaps because the sun was not high enough but I started out with my fleece and gloves on.

Along the trail, the trees are leafless, the fallen aspen leaves covering the trail. I see only one Aster Plant in bloom on this first part of the trail. However, there are still green understory plants and some a golden color.

I finally get to the trail split and start my new adventure. The trip to White Pine Lake is around 4.9 miles with an elevation gain of 2400ft.(Starts at 7698ft.) It seems the hardest part of the trail will be mile 3 were it gains around 1000ft in 1 mile.

The trail follows an old mining road built in the early 1900s so its nice and wide and easy to follow. (And no vehicles are allowed.) The trail ascends on basically a switchback to a canyon overlook and a great view of the city this morning. (A moose has been here recently because there is a pile scat here.)

The trail continues upward thru a forest (a mix of conifers and aspen). The trail is mostly in the shade with peeks of sun here and there.

As the trail climbs, it weaves along several switchbacks - some long, some short -- some with good looks over a valley with mountains

and others thru thick forest and still others through meadows.

I cross a small creek (actually the creek crosses the trail). There's some ice around it from the cold night but there's no snow here.

Around 3.5 miles, I come out of the forest into a rocky (big boulder) glacial bowl and the climbing begins -- but the scenery is so rugged and pretty. This is the serous climb part of the trail.

I'm actually surrounded by mountains at this point - to my left, a meadow going up the mountain; ahead of me and to the right, boulder field and rocky mountains. And they keep getting closer and bigger. The trail to my right is a steep slope to the valley below. Its pretty funny that among all those boulders is a little island of evergreens.

The trail is now weaving itself through the boulder fields and up switchbacks to the final ridge. Quite honestly, I'm a little tanked at this point but I keep going, stopping to rest and enjoy views.

It's in the 40s up here and very windy. (It's time for another layer.)

Finally, I'm at the ridge (whew!). The trail levels a bit --- and what an incredible view everywhere.

I only wish the sun was higher in the sky so I have a better of the mountains to the south - they're pretty craggy. (Just have to come back in the summer.)

I traverse the ridge and spot White Pine Lake below. Not looking forward to going downhill to get to the lake (actually its the going back up is the part I'm not looking forward to), but I came this far, down I go.

The lake nestled in between some mountains. On the northern end is a dam.

The water is pretty low but there's enough to still be pretty. There's a path on the eastern side that leads to the dam so I head on down.

I pass-by the 2 ladies I passed early on trail only to have them pass me back up on that steep section. They said they were happy that I made it -- so was I. (Although I was struggling, I did make the 5 miles in just under 3 hours; my hiking books say it should take an average person/average pace 3.5 hours --- so I'm above average! :)

Got up to the dam

and looked down the other side, just a steep valley. There was a nice little camp at the dam and a trail that went off to the west after crossing the dam (I think this goes to Red Pine Lake).

I thought about lunch here but it was directly in the strong wind so I move back up the lake to a less windy spot. After over 5 miles, it was nice to sit down on a sunny rock by the lake.

While I was there, an ATV with 2 guys arrived. Thought no vehicles were allowed but they worked for the electric company that "owns" the lake. They were there to shut the dam for the winter.

The 2 ladies ask them if there was another way down to the trail below -- instead of climbing back up only to go back down. They said there was one through a boulder field. They asked if I wanted to join them - I declined (I'm not a mountain goat rather be on known trail.)

So we both left opposite directions. I climbed my 200 ft back to the ridge -- and the views were even more incredible with the higher sun and afternoon shadows.

I keep looking for the ladies crossing below for the mile or so down the switchbacks but saw only a pika scrambling along the rocks - stopping to scratch his face on a rock.

I continue downward.

Thought the ATV would pass me by at some -- its 5 miles to the TH -- but never saw them.

When I got back to my car, the ladies car was still there - I hope their "easier" route wasn't a bust.

Incredible day! Incredible views!

Oct 18 - White Rock Trail - Antelope Island

Heading to Antelope Island today. Hoping to find some antelope harems on the White Rock Trail.

Beautiful morning with a high around 72 degrees expected (well above normal).  Causeway crossing was pretty "fall-ish" today.

When I get there, I head straight to the White Rock Trailhead.

Lots of groups camping in the White Rock campground -- last time I was here, it was empty.

There are usually at least a couple of bison around the TH (old bulls), but nothing today -- last week when I was here, it seemed like every bison on the island was over on the east side, perhaps they wandered over as well.

TH is pretty busy today with lots of folks on horses - and lots of "road apples" to dodge on the trail :)

I take the left side of the trail as I normally do to get the climbing out of the way. Its a clear day but there is a layer of haze over the water. Still not a bad view.

Not a lot of blooming plants left - a few sunflowers and some yellow flowers on stalks - I think its a species of mullein but not sure.

I see a dragonfly. (The only life so far other than flies and a few mosquitoes.)

I notice a pink flower that I found back in August. There are only 2 plants with blooms.

I pass above the stockyard (looking north) which is empty now but next week it will be full of bison. On Friday, is the annual Bison Round-up and then, the Bison Physicals the following week-end. I attended the physicals last year -- it was fun.

The trail finally flattens out and I start seeing White Rock Bay to the west. And Frary Peak to the south. But I don't see animals in the valley below - at least no bison, they're pretty to easy to see. Perhaps there's some deer or antelope still hiding.

Its a little windier and cooler up here walking along the ridgeline south. To the east, Farmington Bay is pretty empty and the Wasatch mountains can be seen through the hazy sunshine.

As the trail turns west and starts heading downhill, life suddenly appears in the form of a female Checkered White butterfly. And a few feet away, several Common Checkered Skipper nectaring on a yellow composite. Further down, Clouded Sulphers. There are lots of Common Checkered Skippers flying.

I also spot Tiger Beetles. They are very active heading down the valley and heading back to the TH. I believe these are Cow Path Tiger Beetles. They have eyes, a mouth, and big eyebrows. :)

About 1/2 down the valley, I notice a very small butterfly, It's definitely a blue and the only one I know this small is a Western Pygmy Blue. I finally get a good look to confirm the ID - definitely Western Pygmy Blue. Having a wingspan of about 1/2 inch, this guy is the smallest bfly in North America (and one of the smallest in the world). Saw over 15 of them today. Some of them pretty fresh. (This is the 1st time I've seen these in UT.)

I pass by a still blooming Tufted Primrose and track down a Mylitta Crescent flying down the trail.

I turn to head back north towards the parking lot. Lots of people coming towards me some walking but most on horses.

Many Common Checkered Skippers and Western Pygmy Blues flying on this stretch as well.

I find just a few plant of Rocky Mt Beebalm still blooming (and with seed pods).

I wander off trail a few yards to get a decent photo of the bay and actually scare up my 1st mammal of the day -- a rabbit!

The bay looked great with fall-colored vegetation, white beach, water.

The lizards out today running between the rocks.

I add another bfly to my list today -- a Painted Lady.

After a quick lunch at the Bison Grill w/ a group of black leather clad bikers -- they sat at my table. Bet we looked a bit interesting; they all decked in black leather and me in my bright lime green shirt :)

Time to head to the east side of the island.

Find 5 bison pretty quickly by one of the water basins.

I definitely did find bison but the large herds of a week ago were smaller and further off the road. And there were more bison along this road last week.

But no antelope and no coyotes.

On the way back, I pulled off in a small parking lot just to look at the dry bay. Below down by what usually is water were 4 bison. I headed north a little bit and spotted 5 additional bison. They noticed me immediately and were staring at me for a bit

and then continued their feeding.

Another great day at Antelope Island!

Oct 10 - Promontory Point and Antelope Island

I have company!! My Dad and uncle arrived on Tuesday. After a rest day, it's time to show them some of UT (and anything with trains/planes/automobiles).

I decided to head north to Promontory Point (a little west of Brigham City); that's where the Golden Spike was struck completing the 1st intercontinental railroad for the US. (My Dad had me here a long time ago (I don't remember), so now it time for me to take him back.)

The place is out in the middle of no where. Lots of wetlands and a Jet Propulsion plant are the neighbors. When we got there the brightly colored Jupiter locomotive (the Central Pacific -- RR from the west) was already brought out. Its a replica (as is the No 119 from the east (Union Pacific)). The Jupiter has a bright blue cow catcher and bright red wheels.

We had good timing as the No 119 was arriving in less than 10 minutes.

The No 119 chugged out, brew its whistle many times before taking its historic spot.

After walking through the museum, we head to the rocket "graveyard" (Morton Thiokol Rocket Display) a couple of miles west of the Promontory Point turn-off. There are many old rockets on display. All manufactured here including the solid rocket boosters for the NASA Space Shuttle. Pretty interesting.

Time to head home. But since we passed Antelope Island on the way north, we have to stop on our way south. I honestly wasn't expecting much -- it was 2pm but its always worth shot.

Headed down the east side of the island towards the ranch. Didn't see much until we ran into one big herd of bison along the road. I think my Dad and uncle enjoyed hearing them grunt/snort/breathe and chew. A little further down the road was another huge herd and another. I think every bison on the island was along the road this afternoon. (Pretty exciting because last year when they were here, we only saw 4-5 bison -- this time, they got the jackpot!)

In one herd, we saw a single pronghorn and he had pretty large antlers. (Must be an older male.)

A bit further down the road, a coyote was eating a catch right next to the northbound side of the road. I could only see his body and head, his legs were hidden by the road. (My first coyote in months!)

We turned around at the ranch and headed back past all the bison. The coyote was gone. But the pronghorn was still there  but this time we saw 4 other pronghorn. This maybe be his small harem for the Fall/Winter.

Pretty cool day!

Oct 5 - Albion Basin - Catherine's Pass and Beyond

Beautiful sunny but cool morning. Heading up into the mountains today. There was snow up there from the week-end. Most of it has melted but I can still see snow up on the northern faces. Time to see if I can pick a good spot and find the snow.

Heading to the Albion Basin. Getting close to the end of accessing it as the road closes around Nov 1. Not sure if that is a hard date regardless of snow conditions.....

Busy drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon this morning but I lose most of the cars at Alta. Can't see much because I'm heading East into the morning sun.

The access road is a bit holey. Hard to look around for fear of losing my car in a hole -- some of them are pretty big. But when I get to the parking lot, I'm car #2 at around 9am. (And that's fine with me!)

It's a "balmy" 33 degrees --- and I did find snow. The mountains to the north - I'm sure they have names but I don't know them -- were snow-covered.

Off on the hike to Catherine's Pass. As one would expect all of the plants are past bloom except there are still some purple aster blooming. Hardy little things surviving snow and frost to enjoy one more sunny day.

The trail in spots is frozen mud -- that could be fun on the way.

Again the sun is in my eyes but I'm looking west down towards the Secret Lake area trying to find moose. But no such lucky today.

Up, up I go. Traveling past snow-covered vegetation along the way.

I get to Catherine's Pass and am greeted by a wonderful view of a snowy Sunset Peak.

Catherine's Lake is still mostly in the shadows. I see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell flying at the Pass.

I don't stop but head up towards Sunset Pass. As always, great views from up here.

I'm thinking of going up Sunset Peak (yet again) today. And start heading down the trail, but there's snow. Can't do it, I head back up and then down the Great Western Trail.

Views of snowy mountains are always pretty. :)

Its pretty cold up here especially when the wind blows.

I decide to head further down the Great Western to see where it goes. There's a big rounded peak that looked like there was a faint trail. It would be a good view but I decided to take the actual trail which wraps around the rounded peak. The trail is clear but then becomes snow covered (maybe an inch).

The trail follows the curve of the mountain and there's a nice steep incline going up and down. I see a round below with some Fall colored trees. I think I'm in American Fork (or rather above American Fork).

The trail is headed thru some pines now. I see some snowy mountains but just can't get good views thru the trees. Too steep for me to head down into an opening.

When the trail starts heading down, I turn and head back.

This is actually a neat view of Sunset Peak -- never seen it from this direction.

Time to head home.

Catherine's Lake is now in the sun. I can see the yellow trees below.

And Lake Mary is empty. I know they use the lake water to make snow for the ski slopes but its a little early. Maybe that's why there's no one up here. Lake Mary is usually so pretty.

Good day.

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!!