Escaping the foggy/smoggy/orange air quality day for the sun and near 50 degree weather up Little Cottonwood canyon at the Alta Resort. The plan, simply walk the Alta Summer Rd which leads into the Albion Basin.
The valley is nasty this morning (as it has been since Wed), dark, foggy/smoggy nastiness. But as I drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon, I exit the smog into a color of blue tinge everywhere, and then, there is blue sky and sun (yea!)
The drive is wonderful - love snowy peaks/mountains.
I drive thru the ski resorts and to the end of the road.
Lots of folks already up here at around 9:30am. Plenty of kids too - must be off due to President's Day week-end.
Not wearing snowshoes today -- the road is groomed and hard packed.
It's so pretty out!!
I start up the road and soon find a short cut up to the next switchback. In the summer, the area is flowers/grasses and some smaller trees. Today, nothing but snow. It's very steep but I trudge on up.
I reach the next section of road.
From here, there's a nice view down the canyon to the smoggy valley - and yes, I can see the smog layer.
To my left, I see another section of groomed trail continuing upwards; I believe this will take me to Twin Lakes Pass (which is on my list) but today I'm just checking things out as it's my first time here in the winter.
Ahead, I can see/hear the ski lifts and skiers as I continue up the road.
It's so clear, crisp and wonderful!
I reach the ski lift area and have a look around. There's Devil's Castle,
and the rest of the mountains surrounding the basin.
Cecret Lake is under Sugarloaf and I'm supposed to be able to continue across to Lake but again, for another day.
Time to head on down.
One last parting shot....
Awesome day!
No comments:
Post a Comment