June 2 - Willow Lake and Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Well summer has arrived in UT today (close to 90 degrees) and getting warmer.

I'm heading off after work to find some "cool" in the mountains. My destination is Willow Lake about 12 miles up Big Cottonwood canyon at elevation  7800ft. Willow Lake is about 3/4 mile away and 650 ft further up. (Nice short hike!)

I arrive around 4:15pm.

There's a few blooming flowers at the trail head; yellow Balloonflowers, Wild Strawberry, Bluebells, and this little white flower.

Lots of green plants cover the ground but not much green above as the aspens have not leafed out yet.

On my way up through the aspen,

I see a Mustard White flying and a Juba Skipper nectaring on one of those white flowers.

I also see a Sulpher flying.

I stop at the creek flowing downhill near the trail for a quick look before continuing on.

Up the major part of the uphill, I go off trail to get a look at the ski resorts; a mix of snow and clearing.

As I continue to the lake, I spot a deer (a buck) working his way through the trees.

I arrive at the meadow before the lake to the songs of the Western Chorus Frogs. The songs are coming from the little wet area (still a little pond) in the meadow and Willow Lake a little further along.

There are a few Buttercups blooming around the pond - the bulk of the blooms will be coming soon.

The meadow is covered with a lot of those white flowers.

I see a few ground squirrels running around.

I stop around the other side of the pond for a look at the mountains

before heading to the lake - just following the frog songs.

I arrive at the lake and although majority of the snow is melted, it's still beautiful.

I see a Mourning Cloak along the shore.

I start making my way around the lake.

On the other side, I'm greeted by 2 very friendly Mallards (a couple). Appears they been fed a lot by human visitors. :) They are the only ducks on the lake.

I make my way to the other side and find a nice rock to have my sandwich. Not a bad view either.

As I'm eating, I see a patch of brown appear in a green area on the other side of the lake -- could it be another deer.....yes, a larger buck!!

After finishing my sandwich, I continue around the lake - will have to keep my eyes open for that deer!

The trail along the far corner is in the aspens. I'm looking for the deer and it isn't until I'm almost out of the forest when I scare up another buck. Love when they go bounding thru the forest! This one has shorter antlers than the one I was expecting to see -- guess that make 3 bucks on today!!

I arrive back at the meadow and see a Painted Lady nectaring on the flowers. I also see a Flicker.

Time to head down.

I see another woodpecker -- looks like a Hairy Woodpecker.

Well that was a nice hike!!

I still have some time and Silver Lake (8700 ft)  is so close I'm heading to check it out.

On the drive there, I see yet another deer today - this one's a doe.

I arrive at the lake and all of the snow around the lake has melted (except the far side as it's very shady). The meadow is still very wet.

I make my way around the lake just checking things out.

There are Glacier Lilies blooming here.

The one thing I do notice that I find strange is I only see/hear one Mallard Duck. Last year, there were many ducks; perhaps they haven't arrived yet.

Great day!