Still mostly cloudy when I leave this morning but clearing skies are coming, I can see it. As I leave my house, it's in the mid-50s so it will be about 10 degrees cooler at the trail head @ 9400ft.
I'm taking a chance coming here due to the limited parking. During the summer an arrival after 8:30 on a Saturday would mean no parking. I'm hoping being mid-October that's no longer true.
Still plenty of color driving up Little Cottonwood especially in the lower elevations - mostly the Oaks now. A little higher, some of the Aspens are still holding their golden leaves. But lots of naked trees at this point.
No traffic which is a good sign. An even better sign is passing the White Pine Lake parking and there are still open spots.
The summer road gate keeper is no longer there and I proceed of the gravel (holey, bumpy road). Looking for moose or deer but only find dog on the side of the road sniffing around. Strange find since dogs aren't allowed in the Canyon -- one of the cabin owners must have a permit (I hope).
My worry about parking is no worry at all - there's only 2 cars when I arrive. (That's a good thing for potential future visits in the next couple of weeks.)
I step out of my car and it's super windy up here! I thought the wind was supposed to die down over night, obviously not. I throw on my light winter coat and start up the trail. Still mostly cloudy but there are spots of blue sky.
Devil's Castle and Sugarloaf Peak look wonderful with the light dusting of snow.
Trail is still in the shade as the sun is too low in the sky (and there's the clouds).
After a bit, I turn for a look behind me.
I make my way up looking for deer or moose. Instead I find the owners of the 2 cars in the parking lot; 4 bow hunters. They say they've seen no animals this morning. :(
Soon I reach the big meadow; I'm still looking for animals anyway.
After getting above the meadow, I look back towards Devils Castle and Sugarloaf.
And then continue to the Pass.
Lake Catherine is still in the shade below. There several people walking around her shores.
There's snow on Sunset Peak - looks great!
I continue up to Sunset Pass, stopping to enjoy the views of Lake Catherine along the way.
It's really windy up here! My initial plan was to walk over towards Devils Castle but the wind is just too strong (and nippy).
I arrive at Sunset Pass. No snow here either but the views towards Mt Timpanogos are wonderful as always.
I head about 50 yards towards Mt Timp just to get a better look.
Before turning around; however, I make one stop heading to a spot just below Sunset Peak. It overlooks Lake Catherine.
Now it's time to get head back to Catherine's Pass to get out of the wind for a bit.
When I arrive back at the Pass, it's still empty -- it's after 10am where are all the people?! I find a rock and enjoy the serenity and watching the white puffy clouds speed across the appearing blue sky.
It's is soon broken when 3 ladies arrive at the Pass. I stay a bit longer before heading down.
Awesome morning!
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