July 15 - Broads Fork (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Heading to Broads Fork today. The trail head sits at the S-turn of Big Cottonwood Canyon sharing parking with the more popular Lake Blanche trail.

I set my mind on this trail yesterday but this morning I really wasn't feeling it. Wanted to go to Catherine's Pass instead. But I need to get to Broads Fork now; last year I went the first of Oct. Fall colors were awesome but very few flowers and I want to see the summer flowers with the entire basin and Twin Peaks and Dromedary Peak in the background.

It's a hard trail covering ~2.2 miles and 2000 ft in elevation (starts at ~6190ft); hoping my indecision this morning doesn't make the hike even more difficult.

It's sunny and around 73 when I arrive around 8:30am. There are some light wispy clouds moving in from the west but there's no chance of storms (even in the afternoon). Surprising, I get parking in the main lot (guess it helps I'm here on a Friday morning).

I head to the west end of the parking lot and start on the little foot trail but something doesn't seem right. The trail is not very wide, its level, and there are logs to walk over; nothing like I remember from last year. I'm about ready to turn around when the trail ends. I head back and find the real trail a few feet to the left (blocked by a car).

I start up this trail and it's what I remember; dirt path and uphill through the pines paralleling the road. In about a 1/4 mile or less, the trail turns south. Not many flowers in the deep pine forest but there are small openings that are filled mostly with Horsemint, some yellow composites, and Aspen Fleabane (I think).

And an opening with a wonderful view down into the Salt Lake valley.

The first destination is a stream crossing on a foot bridge. The bridge is about 1.3 miles and 1000 ft up. The forest is wonderful; it's quiet (except for the squirrels); the openings provide a bit of variety but I'm struggling with the hike this morning; not mentally ready I guess - still thinking about Catherine's Pass. I feel like turning around but I can't let that happen.

I finally start hearing a running stream so I know I'm getting close to the bridge. I make a quick spot at the creek.

And then head to the bridge to cross the creek.

Definitely, not stopping now, I've only got 0.7 mile to go!

And I've finally exit the woods!! And I find some Paintbrush.

The trail will be a mix of aspen/mixed forest and open meadows.

In the meadows. just tons of flowers with Mints dominating. There so much lush vegetation, the flowers (and other plants) overhang the trail. Instant close-up connection as I brush against them as I move through. So cool!

The bees are buzzing around.

And a few butterflies out this early enjoying the nectar bonanza!

Weidemeyer's Admiral

Western Swallowtail

Purplish Copper.

Soon I start seeing the rocky faces of mountains. My destination isn't that far off.

I climb by a large rock slab.

What a wonderful views when I turn around.

Continuing on, it isn't far before I pop out of the forest in the Broads Fork basin. Immediately, there's a side trail to the right that goes up the right (west) side of the basin. I continue straight towards the pond. But first take a short detour to get a better look at the basin. After taking a look at the Stonecrop,

I get my first views of Twin Peak and Dromedary. Not too shabby.

Dropping back down to the main trail, the Sego Lilies are blooming!

I continue on towards the pond when there's another side trail which heads through the masses of flowers. I have to take it.

Back on the main trail, I once again look down towards Big Cottonwood canyon.

It's so incredible everywhere I turn!

In one of the masses of flowers, I see a Clodius Parnassian flying. I go in for a closer look.

Heading to the pond, the flowers continue.

To get to the pond, I cross several bunched up logs over a stream and then over some rocks. I'm expecting a nice pond (there was a moose at the pond last year when I was here) but only puddles of water in the pond. (Again, no mountains showers yet this summer.)

I walk past the pond for a bit as this trail continue up to the mountains but soon turn around; maybe the other side is better.

So I head back to that first side trail and head up.

I see two guys sitting on some rocks (the only people I see today). I continue pass and soon get another view back towards the canyon.

I continue just a little further until I find some rocks to take break on.

On this side, I see Western Swallowtails, Clodius Parnassian, Purplish Coppers, some Blues (but they never stop) and a Variable Checkerspot.

Time to head down!

The meadows I pass thru on the way back have more butterfly life. I catch up with one of the flying blues; it's a very old/beaten Western Tailed Blue. I also see Western Swallowtails, few Purplish Coppers, a Mylitta Crescent, a Northern Checkerspot, and a small Duskywing (a Persius or Afranius).

A pass the bridge and head back into the pines.

One of the sunny openings has several butterflies nectaring on the plants. I see Mustard White, Russets Skipperling

and a Taxiles Skipper

Awesome day! Definitely worth the effort to experience to such a magnificent place.