Posts

July 24 - Lake Solitude (BCC)

Image
 Sunny day with temps in the upper 90s. My original plan was to hike to Twin Lakes and over to Lake Mary, etc but lack of sleep last night and also not feeling well, I decide just to hike to Lake  Solitude. I get 3.5sh miles and little elevation but still not taxing. I arrive before 7 and super surprised that it's not packed; but also very happy. It's in the upper 50s which feels awesome! I head out towards the TH; just a beautiful morning. No moose or deer to be seen. And no beavers either. Water levels seem pretty consistent probably due to the monsoon rains we've had. I start my way to Lake Solitude and like Willow Lake, the flowers have faded fast. There is one spot almost to the avalanche area that is still in full bloom with Lupine, a lot of Horsemint and others but it's the exception. I notice that the Pika are starting to collect vegetation for the winter in one area. And I do spot a Pika in the avalanche area; just a quick glimpse. Lake Solitude is still lookin...
Post a Comment
Read more

July 23 - Willow Lake (BCC)

Image
 Sunny with highs in the mid-90s and finally a day with no monsoon flows causing showers/storms in the mountains. Very, very happy we had them but kinda blew the afterwork hikes a little over a week. But today heading for Willow Lake. Last time I was here, I would say it was peak flowers or perhaps just past peak. Curious what it will look like today. Smooth sailing up the canyon today. There are some storm-looking clouds moving thru but rain is not in the forecast and it's mostly sunny and 82 degrees when I arrive. Only a couple of cars but they are not near the TH so they've been here awhile so I gear up and start up the trail. Well, the peak is well past. Not many flowers left at the bottom except a few Geraniums and other stragglers. Boy that was quick! It's ebbs and flows the higher I climb but now is the waiting for the Fall flowers. The Fireweed is already blooming so the countdown begins. I'm seeing those Wood Nymphs again and in the same area as last time but n...
Post a Comment
Read more

July 19 - Millie Lift to Twins Lake and my perch (BCC)

Image
 Another sunny day with temps in the upper 90s. The only difference today is the monsoon is coming a mid-afternoon instead of late morning like yesterday. Love the rain the mountains have been getting the last few days but would love it to move into the valleys. Anyhow, the plan is to hike the Millie Lift over to Lake Mary and then up to Snakeskin Pass. Haven't down either part of this in a couple of years. I leave a little later than I planned an arrive after 7am. The place is hopping already. Even where I park for the Millie Lift has several cars already. (Have to admit, it was a bit of a let down.) But is sunny and in the upper 50s so let's enjoy the beautiful day. Trail is damp and I'm surprised I do not see any Marmots at the bottom of the trail. Actually, I did see any the entire day. Where did they all go? The flowers are blooming; mostly buckwheat, but there are patches of the yellow composites. After seeing Alta on Friday, I'm a little disappointed but not real...
Post a Comment
Read more

July 17 - Cecret Lake and Sugarloaf Pass (LCC)

Image
 Vacation day today and I'm heading up Little Cottonwood Canyon to hike to Cecret Lake and then Sugarloaf Pass. Storms aren't in the forecast until the afternoon so I'm hoping for sunny skies so I can hopefully see some butterflies as well as peak wildflower season. And yes, peak wildflowers brings large crowds so heading out early. I arrive at the gate at 6:41 (not as early as I hoped) but there's no line at gate and plenty of parking for Cecret Lake. (Catherine's Pass was  definitely more crowded though). It's upper 50s and sun still rising over the peaks when I start. The flowers are pretty amazing (red, blues, yellows, pinks) everywhere. Not bad for a low snowfall/drought year. Trail activity is pretty low but there are folks returning from the lake already which is pretty amazing. I'm searching for moose/deer but only finding Marmots, ground squirrels, and chipmunks.  There is water on the trail (mud too) so there was rain here yesterday which is awesom...
Post a Comment
Read more

July 10 - Willow Lake (BCC)

Image
 It's an off-Friday but I mistakenly scheduled a Dr appt in the morning - boo! But got a 6am start to head up BCC to hike to Willow Lake and back. I know I just did this hike this but it's short and there's a chance to see Moose - fingers crossed. Canyon the busiest I've seen it all summer probably because its Wildflower time! The Brighton festival is Saturday and Alta's next Saturday. Fortunately, Willow Lake has only couple cars which I suspect are campers. It's still shady and in the 50s when I start up the trail. It's quiet and cool; not much moving around yet. Before I know it, I'm at meadow. And one of those cars are hikers as they came up the other side and are just reaching the far end of the meadow. I cross the meadow (no ground squirrels yet) and I think they headed directly to the lake so I'll go counter-clockwise; a direction I don't normally go but it'll be a good perception and change of pace. Unfortunately, the couple went the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

July 7 - Willow Lake (BCC)

Image
 Sunny day with highs in the mid-90s BUT it's 70 degrees up and Brighton; time to hike Willow Lake and check out the flower situation. Arrive just after 3pm. It's sunny and in the low 80s/upper 70s. There are storm clouds in the sky but the weather says no rain; I'll find out. There are only 2 cars parked so it won't be crowded. I start up the trail. Yea, there are flowers but, the theme of the summer, nothing like year past. There are Jacobs Ladder, Geraniums, Bluebells and other but, in my opinion, it's hit or miss BUT lots of green vegetation. Looking for butterflies but find moths; and pretty ones that won't sit still for a photo. On the second switchback, I pass Solitude and the next corner has a nice stormy view down canyon.  Soon after, I find butterflies; several Wood Nymphs species unknown. At the start of the 3rd switchback, a Dusky Grouse crosses the trail and poses for me. I was pretty shocked as I was only 3 feet away. Definitely a highlight! On the...
Post a Comment
Read more

July 5 - Lake Solitude (BCC)

Image
 Sunny day with temps in the mid-90s today. Heading up BCC to hike up to Lake Solitude and back. (Nothing too exciting but it's getting outside). Leave early expecting crowds due to 4th holiday but surprisingly not. Willow Lake only had 3 cars - strange, but good.  I went trolling for critter where I saw that Mom/baby moose last and saw a lone deer! Nice! Silver Lake was equally not busy - though it was only just after 7am. Temps in the mid-50s. Flowers are really starting to bloom now; the numbers are down from the usual. No moose or deer around the lake BUT I stop a doe soon after I start my way up to Lake Solitude. Lupine, Jacobs Ladder, Yellow Composites, Paintbrush, Horsemint are all in bloom now. Sad to see the shortcut up to the switchback is close for re-vegetation. That's the road they put new snowmaking lines thru; I'm sure it'll be closed for years unless they put some straw/seeds to speed things along. It's still just bare. Makes me wonder what they are ...
Post a Comment
Read more