Fire started Thurs night (suspected lightening strike). Because of the remoteness of much of the island, the fire was not noticed until Friday night. When I went to bed Friday, they estimated the fire to have burned 200-300 acres. Overnight the fire reached the ridge line and spread. When I awoke, about 7000 acres (1/4 of the islands 28,000 acres) were burned. :(
It may sound weird but the fire is very upsetting to me as I obviously have a very deep connection to this place.
On Saturday, they had 75 firefighters, 2 planes and 2 helicopters working on the fire on- their goal: protect the historic buildings (e.g., the Ranch) and as much of the north and east side of the island (along the road) as possible so the animals will have enough to graze upon until Spring. When I went to bed Sat night, about 13,500 acres burned - about 1/2 the island!! (But the fire was 35% contained.)
40 additional firefighters are coming today (Sun). Last report I saw, seems to suggest that the fire fortunately did not spread all that much Sat night (estimate 13,700 acres burned). And they are plotting creating a northern fire break to prevent the fire from creeping north if the southerly winds return.
They report the animals are fine as they move north and east away from the fire.
I know fire is just a natural process and when next Spring arrives, the island's young plants will green everything up again. (Just hoping the animals find enough to graze on until that happens.) But still upsetting.
Hoping lots of progress is made today.
That said, life moves on and it's a sunny day with the temps rising to the mid-90s. So I'm heading to Catherine's Pass in the Albion Basin for a wildflower check.
I arrive just before 8:30am - got one of the last parking spaces.
It's a wonderfully cool morning up here at 9400ft.
Off I go up the trail thru the flowers for 1.5 miles (800ft) to Catherine's Pass (10,200 ft).
The trail, at the beginning, is still mostly in the shade. The views of Devil's Castle are wonderful as it is sitting in the morning sunshine (and I am still in the shade).
I meet a lady coming down from the Pass who informs me that there are 5 moose in the big meadow - yea! Hopefully, they will still be there when I arrive.
Soon the trail turns east for a little more sunshine.
I arrive at the meadow and I don't see any moose. :(
A guy passes (on his way down) saying the Mom and 2 calves have move off recently.
But perhaps the 2 males are still around so as I walk thru the meadow, I'm looking for them. And there, in the shade, are 2 large male moose bedded down. Yea!!
I continue up to Catherine's Pass.
With all the cars in the lot, I'm expecting a crowd at the Pass but there's only 2 people there -- wonder where everyone is at.
And then I head up the trail to Sunset Pass.
Many new flowers along the way.
Then continue to the Pass and the wonderful views. The wildflowers are awesome! (This is one of my favorite spots in the Wasatch Mts for flowers.)
I take the trail south and west towards Devils Castle. Wonderful flowers and wonderful views along the way.
A quick pass thru the woods before leading to the next ridge. Then I'm back in the open and sun. Tons of red paintbrush here!
I head over to the ski lift (still not sure of the name, but it's at 10,400ft). Along the way, I see what looks like a baby robin. And then a Yellow-rumped Warbler.
I look down from the lift. Pretty awesome!
Not many butterflies flying but I do catch up to a Boisduval's Blue and Variable Checkerspot.
Time to head back.
I stop at the Pass one last time and get to watch a hummingbird feed.
Continuing down, I make a stop to look down on Lake Catherine. Lake Mary is visible (and a little low in water).
I head down to Catherine's Pass and then continue down.
As I near the Big Meadow and I wonder if the 2 moose will still be there.
Just one left!
I continue making my way down thru the flowers
and back to my car.
Good day!
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