Sept 25 - Twin Lake Pass (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Heading out to find the snow! I'm not sure how much actually fell (the ski resorts aren't open yet so there's no "official" measurement yet) but it's time to tromp thru the first snowfall of the season. I know I won't be heading thru fresh snow - I'm sure many folks got to it on Fri/Sat - but it's still snow! And most (if not all of it) will be gone in the next few days.

My plan is to head up to Twin Lakes to see a perfect combo of snow and Fall colors. If things feel good, I'm going to try to make it to Twin Lakes Pass for the first time. That is IF I can find the trail (after 2 missed attempts to find the trail this year, I'm hoping 3 is a charm today.) The Pass is about 1 mile farther and 500 higher in elevation than the Lakes (9993 ft).

Chilly morning (40s in the valley) but very sunny. As I head up the canyon, I'm not sure where the snow will actually start but I'm watching. I pass the Mill D South trail head, no snow on the ground but the peaks (Kessler, etc) are so beautifully snow covered.

It isn't until I reach the ski resorts at the head of the canyon before I see more snow covered peaks! It's just after 9am and there's still plenty of parking at Silver Lake (but filling up fast).

It's sunny and a crisp 33 degrees.

I walk around the Visitor's Center to this awesome view!

As I walk around the right side of the meadow, there's still frost in the shadier spots. The boardwalk is icy but not snow covered.

I reach the little bridge

And then continue around.

I reach the Twin Lakes trail and start my way up thru the aspen. The snow/rain did cause many of the leaves to fall as the trail is covered with yellow leaves and some of the trees are bare. But there's still plenty of leaves on the trees for a beautiful walk.

I reach the ridge and start to cross. Several Pikas calling this morning. I manage to get a good look at one that is sitting on the edge of the trail.

The views of Silver Lake below are really nice this morning.

The uphill portion to Twin Lakes is a bit snowy/icy. I usually take the steeper but less rocky dirt path but it's still covered in snow, so I take the rocky road.

Definitely, not quiet a morning as all the snow laying on the branches is melting. Lots of dripping noises. And there's also rustling of vegetation as clumps of snow crash to the ground.

I reach the dam.

And head around it. Surprised to see I'm the only one around to enjoy these wonderful views.

I've got plenty of time and my feet are warm so I head up the right side of the lake heading hopefully to Twin Lake Pass.

I reach the intersection with the trail coming up from Lake Solitude.

And make my way thru about 6 inches of snow to my favorite "perch" above the Lakes.

I head back to the road; there are vehicle tracks and many people tracks heading up the hill. I make my way up looking for that spur trail to the Pass. I can start to see the ski lift so I'm running out of luck finding that spur trail.

Around a rocky formation, I see footprints in the snow heading up to a ridge. Maybe that's the trail I'm looking for, maybe not. But it's worth a try. I head up the little hill and when I get to the top, BINGO! I've found the trail up to the Pass!!!

I start across the snow covered trail following the footprints and enjoying the incredible views of the lakes and surrounding area along the way!!

My destination: Twin Lakes Pass is right in front of me.

After about a 1/4-1/2 mile thru the snow, I arrive at the Pass. It's so beautiful looking down on Twin Lakes (if only the electrical lines weren't in the way).

I turn the other way for a fantastic view down Little Cottonwood Canyon! I can see the Oquirrh Mts across the valley too!

It's a bit windy up here so I dig in my pack for my jacket so I can enjoy my efforts to get here.

Time to start my way back down thru the snow.

And then back down to the road.

I reach the Lake Solitude intersection and think about taking the trail past Lake Solitude on the way back but decide to just head back the way I came.

There are several people at the Lakes now and many more on their way up.

One last look down on Silver Lake

Before heading down to complete the loop around the lake.

Awesome day! And what a day for my first trip to Twin Lakes Pass!

Sept 24 - White Rock Trail Antelope Island

What a stormy last couple days here in UT! Lots of rain (over 4 inches in spots across the entire state), 3 tornadoes (that's a lot for UT), golf ball sized hail, etc ..... Even Antelope Island got hit yet again this year -- first the fire in July which they managed to protect the Ranch from but the storms and high winds took a shot at the Ranch and won -- knocking off the roof of the historic barn and collapsing one of the buildings. The Ranch is closed indefinitely. :(

Fortunately, at my house, I got the much needed rain (over 3 inches) but none of the strong storms. Oh, I can't forget snow in the higher elevations (5-12 inches)! If the clouds clear, it should be visible.

I so want to go play in the snow this morning but it's still raining in the valley and it's not suppose to clear until late morning/early afternoon. So I'm taking a chance and heading up a little north to Antelope Island hoping the storms will clear there first and I can get in a good hike.

So here goes nothing as I leave around 8:30am with it still raining in SLC. It stops raining the farther north I go but the dark clouds remain.

But as I pass thru the Antelope Island gate, there's clearing to the West (yea)!

And there's water in Farmington Bay!! (No more, dry and crusty lake bed - at least temporarily - thanks to all the rain.) It's so nice to see! And with all the clouds, it looks awesome! (Although it looks like dawn or dusk out.)

Even on the Great Salt Lake side! The water is so calm this morning, it's a mirror! Love these days!

As I get closer to the island, there are thousands and thousands of ducks (a moving island of them) in the Bay near the causeway. I've never seen so many!

I arrive on the island and head south towards the Ranch. Well, the bison that have been in this area have moved on. In fact I have to travel several miles before spotting a lone bison heading south.

I pass Frary Peak and then near the tree where the antelope have been hanging out all summer, there is a herd of Mule Deer. I count 10.

A mile or two farther down the road, I spot 4 more Mule Deer far in the distance.

Then there's a small herd of Mom and baby bison (about 10) moving south along the shoreline.

A little farther along, there's another herd of bison. This one is around 30 animals.

I'm not sure where the super herd of bison have gone but road is closed at the Mountain View trail (about a mile from the Ranch). Certainly looks like the cooler weather and rain has got the herd to finally move.

Time to head back north.

One the way back, I spot another lone bison laying down in the grasses at the Frary Peak turn-off.

And then just before I turn west towards the Ranch, I see a pronghorn ahead of me (down from the Visitor's Center). So I head north to get a better look at the lone pronghorn. It's just laying there.

So I turn around and as I do that, the Pronghorn stands.  I pull off the side of the road to see what he does. I get out of my car and stand by my driver's door to watch. The Pronghorn starts walking towards my car angling towards the road.

He keeps getting closer, stops for a scratch

And is almost at the road when the car in back of me decides its a "good" time to move their car. (They're going to scare the animal!) They pull just in front of me and guess what, they scare the antelope - instead of slow;y crossing the road, he runs across and then down the other side. (Just don't understand what people are thinking sometimes.)

Anyway, I then make my way to the White Rock Trail head. There are two groups of bison in the meadow. Around 12 in the meadow and 4 near the shoreline.

I start the trail still under cloud cover but the sun is just off to the west.

Some sunflowers are still blooming.

It's quiet out, just hearing the wind. A bit cool as its only 53 degrees.

The views are excellent!

West across the Salt Lake.

And north toward Buffalo Point.

I continue along the trail. I'm somewhere above the bison pens when I see movement in the distance. It's another lone Pronghorn!

I lose him in the sagebrush. Maybe I'll see him again as the trail gets closer. And yes, I soon spot some brown among the sagebrush; it's the Pronghorn again!

The sun is starting to peak out now.

White Rock Valley is now in view as I pass behind Beacon Hill.

Next thing I hear is a whoosh, whoosh, whoosh as a raven flaps to take flight passing overhead.

I finally get a good view of the valley and there's bison. I see a some herd along the larger loop trail and one in the middle of the meadow.

I head across the ridge. Farmington Bay looks awesome today despite the clouds!

I take the inner loop today and spot a Common Checkered Skipper along the way.

I also see a Kestrel perched on a rock looking into the valley.

It's so pretty since it sunny out now!

I'm on the last stretch to my car when I see a dragonfly.

I complete the trail and return to my car. After stopping for a Bison burger, I make my way around the Visitor's Center - there's a bison down by shore line - and back to the causeway.

The ducks (Shovelers I believe) are still there - just more spread out across the water now.

With a few shorebirds.

The water is still mirror-like. Incredible!!

Fantastic day! (And a wise choice as it still looks socked in by clouds in the valley.)

Sept 20 - Willow Heights Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Heading out again after work as I try to cram in the "colorful" hikes before the storms come Thurs/Fri/Sat and knock the leaves down. (Not as fun seeing them covering the ground than still in the trees.)

Willow Heights Lake is the destination (and if I can find the right side trail, Dry Lake).

Sunny day and around 91 for a high in the valley. (Hopefully the last 90 degree day of the year.)

Arrive at the trail head just after 4pm. I'm the only one parked -- hoping there are deer or moose roaming around up top.

Colors are fabulous. There are still green aspen but plenty of yellow ones.

Still a few purple aster along the trail but not many.

Very quiet (no birds or squirrels making noise) - just the wind blowing through the trees.

When I make it up the hill and out of the trees, what a wonderful view!

I make my way to the lake. Lots of grasshoppers hopping/flying. And I see a Clouded Sulpher nectaring on one of those last Asters. Before I head thru the aspen again, I stop and turn around - incredible colors everywhere!.

I make my way thru the aspen grove to the lake. Wow!

Dragonflies are flying and still plenty of ducks on the lake. But no moose (or deer).

I make my way to the other side of the lake. I see 2 Field Crescents along the way.

The views from the other side -- not too shabby either.

I walk up 3 side trails up the mountain hoping to find the trail to Dry Lake but all 3 led to campsites. Not finding Dry Lake today.

There's a chipmunk running along the lakeshore. The only little critter I see today.

I make my way around to the far side of the lake.

And then into the woods looking hard for anything with 4 legs. No luck today.

I head back around and then find a rock on the near shore to have my sandwich. Most of the ducks are busy in the lake feeding but there is one duck a few feet from me sleeping. Can I eat with beggars?

I carefully pull my sandwich out and manage to eat it without even the sleeping duck awakening. But I open my little bag of cookies, here come the ducks swimming my way. Soon they are on shore and coming my way with lots of wings flapping.

But I hide the bag and they wander back into the water.

While I'm sitting here there's a lovely noise in the trees behind me -- I know why they are called Quaking Aspen.

Time to head back down thru the wonderful aspen!

Awesome day!

Sept 19 - Silver Lake to Twin Lakes (Fall Colors)

Heading up to Twin Lakes after work to catch some of the Fall colors in Big Cottonwood Canyon. And since there's rain/snow in the forecast for Thurs/Fri/Sat for the mountains, need to see the colors before the precipitation knocks it all down.

A high of 93 in the valley today, looking forward to the coolness in the mountains as well. (And I make sure I have my camera battery today. :))

The aspens are actually turning yellow now. Big swathes of yellow with splotches of reds and oranges (maples) along the mountains sides. Still many green aspens but it won't be long for them either.

I arrive at the Silver Lake parking. There's more people here today than the last 3 trips of mine combined -- it's got to be the Fall colors.

I'm not heading to Lake Solitude today as I want to head up over Silver Lake first -- it'll be in the shade it I hit it last. (And, as I walk to the boardwalk, the Silver Lake facing side of the mountains are already in the shade at around 4:30pm.)

The aspen groves around the lake are yellow!

There are still dragonflies out! And there are many Mallards in the lake.

So pretty!

I head up thru the aspen to the ridge above Silver Lake - definitely a good plan to head up here first. (Though I'm a bit late to beat the shadows.)

Hearing and seeing Pika, I count 5.

No Marmots though.

Time to head up the hill, thru the drying vegetation that the sun is hitting just right to make it glow.

I reach the dam

And head to the right side of the dam. Beautiful views but the colors are on this side. I'm heading back down and to the other side of the dam.

Now that's better!!

From what I can tell, there's only one other person here and that's the guy on the other side putting together his paddle board.

I find a nice spot and eat my sandwich (and watch the guy set off down the lake on his board). Too bad he doesn't have a sail as the winds are blowing down the lake right now. I'm actually getting a little cool.

Time to head back down.

The trail is all in the shade now and as I pass a small thick grove of yellow aspen, I see some moose scat and hear rustling in the aspen. I stop and look very carefully for any kind of movement. Nothing. I continue to hear the rustling and move slightly down the trail hoping I can get the proper angle (I'm so hoping for a moose). I'm about ready to give up when I see movement. It's an ear I think. And then I get a glimpse of the head/nose -- it's doe!! (Not a moose but always nice to see any animal.)

I reach the ridge and start heading across - many Pika still running around this evening.

Nothing better than coming down thru the aspen in Fall!!

I reach Silver Lake and decide to complete the loop. Lots of wonderful views as I complete that loop.

And when I'm done, the sun is just dropping below a peak; the area is all in the shade.

Awesome day!

Sept 18 - Catherine's Pass (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

Another beautiful day in the forecast - sunny w/ highs in the mid-80s in the valley. Heading to Catherine's Pass today -- it's been a while since my last visit. Hoping to get up to Sunset Peak but not feeling 100% this morning so it may not happen.

I check the weather before heading out and it's in the mid-40s at the trail head.

Lots of color in the canyon this morning but most of it still in the shade.

When I arrive at the parking, the basin is full of sun. Devil's Castle and Sugarloaf Peak look wonderful in the morning light.

Unfortunately, I forgot to put the battery in my camera this morning, so no photo memories today. :(

The trail starts in the sun and then heads into the shade. I see only a few purple asters in bloom. Lots of seed heads/pods though.

I'm looking for moose or deer but see none. But the birds are sure talkative this morning.

I arrive at a very sunny wet meadow - very golden in the early light. Saw moose here last time but nothing today.

I complete the remaining uphill and arrive at Catherine's Pass. Always beautiful!

I find a rock and enjoy the surroundings.

Catherine's Lake below is 1/2 in the sun and 1/2 in the shade. The yellow leaves around the lake are bright in the sunlight!

Several folks are up on Sunset Peak - I can see their silhouettes against the blue sky.

There's a chipmunk behind me chirping and his tail bounces with every chirp.

The birds are singing for a while after I arrive but then quiet down.

This is the end of my day (not going any farther -- I just have to come back before the road closes in a month or so).

Time to head down. The way down is a bit sunnier now. Sunny enough that I see a Sulpher butterfly flitting around.

Short but lovely day!

Sept 16 - Red Pine Lake (Little Cottonwood)

Heading to Red Pine Lake today. It will be 2nd visit of the season (last one was in late July). Hoping to see a little of the Fall colors that are really starting to pop now. But I do have to say, the colors are not as good as last year basically because we've had no rain this summer (that includes the mountains).

But hopefully the rain situation is changing as we finally had decent showers on Tues & Wed - the mountains may have gotten some rain yesterday as there were plenty of dark clouds hovering over them,

The temps have also been unseasonably cool the last few days (love it)! When I left my house this morning just after 8am, it was barely 50 degrees -- going to be cool at 7600+ ft.

I arrive around 8:30. Boy is it nippy -- the fleece is a must at least at the start. The trail is in the shade and it probably will be until I reach the last 1/2 mile. (The trail is 3.25 miles and 2000ft -- lake is at 9600ft.)

I start the trail. The aspen around the parking area are just starting to change. But lots of color in the brush and other vegetation. Purple Asters and Pearly Everlastings are still blooming - lots of Pearly Everlastings.

Noisy forest this morning with sounds of squirrels and chipmunks getting ready for winter. There are also lots of pine cones on the trail - some "normal" Fir cones and what looks like very immature Douglas Fir cones - they've got the "mouse tail".

Definitely signs of rain up there especially during the first mile -- a few puddles and a damp trail.

And I find some frost on the leaves!

At the White Pine & Red/Maybird Lakes trail split, the creek is still flowing.

I take the Red/Maybird Lakes trail and head to the overlook. 

The aspen are definitely yellowing on this part; it's just hard to really enjoy because of the shade.

What a wonderful down canyon look!

I continue up to the Red Pine and Maybird trail split at the 2.5 mile marker. I'm getting closer to the sun but still not there yet -- I'm so ready for it at this point!

After climbing up a steep rocky section, I finally reach the sun! 

The sun is just cresting over the mountains as the area is still covered in a very heavy frost (which won't last for long).

When I finally reach the lake, wow! It's so low!

Just indicates how hot & dry our summer has been.

I make my way over to the dam. And walk across. Funny how there's still a  stream of water coming from the main part of the lake flowing towards the dam.

There are Pika chirping and running around as I cross.

I reach the little island, stop for a look and head back.

I then head down the other side of the lake.

My normal lunch spot's view is interesting. (There will be no watching for trout today!)

I've always wanted to get to Upper Red Pine Lake. I tried last year and was high enough but was just several boulder fields to the left. I make my way up what should be the trail and after dodging pine cones being dropped by an angry squirrel, I come to a dead end at some huge boulders. There's also a stream flowing down the mountain side. It's got to be coming from the lake (maybe). I think about bushwhacking my way up but it was just for a second -- I'm coming down.

It's around 11am now and there's still no one at the lake but me!! But it's time to head back. The colors should be better as the sun is much higher. So here goes!

I do see one Hoary Comma on the way down.

Lovely day!