Aug 12 - Maybird Lakes (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

Heading into Little Cottonwood Canyon this morning to hike to Maybird Lakes. This a 3.75 mile (one-way), 2000ft hike with the ending point at Maybird Ridge (9742ft). Maybird Ridge has great views of Pfeiffernhorn (11,326ft) and overlooks 2 small lakes and a huge boulder field. It's a very pretty hike but it's not one that seems to have much traffic. I never understood why but I like the solitude - which you can't find at Red Pine or White Pine lakes.

It's a beautiful morning - sunny and somewhat cool as I arrive at the trail head around 8:20am (heading for a high of 90 in the valley today). It's a popular trail head as it's shared by White Pine/Red Pine/Maybird Lakes trails so there's quite a few cars already parked..

I get started walking along the shady trail crossing the first bridge and starting uphill towards the second. A few flowers here and there (asters and pussytoes mostly) - the big summer bloom has definitely ended here.

After about 0.8 miles, I arrive at the 2nd creek and then head up the trail crossing the creek on a foot bridge

and head towards Red Pine/Maybird Lakes. The trail is still in the shade and I expect it to be most of the way.

I'm a little startled to find a hornet/yellow jacket nest just off the trail - eek!

A little further along, I see a Pika as I cross under a rocky area.

The Salt Lake Valley is looking good this morning.

After 2.5 miles, I arrive at the trail split - Red Pine heading straight, Maybird heading right.

I turn right crossing the foot bridge over the creek and continue my uphill climb. There's a few more flowers here (Monkshood, Paintbrush, Coneflower).

After an initial climb, the trail levels out some. The terrain is a bit rocky but mostly thru the woods.

Soon I see the rocky ridge line that means my destination is near.

And then my 1st glimpses of Pfeiffernhorn. There's water in the lake! (Last year, there was no water.)

I so love the rockiness of this location!

I make my way off the trail heading down along the boulder field to the near lake. Great views along the way towards Pfeifferhorn

and down canyon.

I head around the lake. There are flowers here -- Bluebells, yellow composites, Columbine

and a flower that looks like a daisy.

And Frits flying and a Hoary Comma too.

The peak is barely visible over the boulder field in front of me.

I find a nice flat boulder along the lake for a rest. (I have all this to myself - no one else around.)

I can hear the high pitched calls of Pika but can't find any - they can be anywhere with literally tons of rocks/boulders everywhere.

It's a little nippy out with a very cool wind blowing - feels good.

I see a shorebird.

After a short rest, I head around to the other side of the lake.

And the continue back.

The trail is sunnier now and in areas with flowers there are more Frits flying. On the way down, I also see a Mourning Clock, Margin White, Purplish Copper and a bunch of Woodland Skippers.

It's so clear, I can see Antelope Island!

Awesome day!