My Utah Adventure 2026

 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...

 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...

 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...

 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...

 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 ...

 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...

 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 ...

 Sunny day with highs in the low 90s. After much internal debate, I'm heading to hike the Mormon Trail today for a butterfly check. (I figured it would be quiet today as there would be no campers for this Holiday week-end yet.) I arrive just after 7:30 and I am the only one in the lot. It's in the mid-50s and the sun is still working it's way thru the clouds. The birds are singing - not as active as the last time I was here but still very nice to hear. The trail is shady so I'm not expecting to see any flyers on my way out; only going in 2miles today. Flowers are noticeably absent this year but the Yarrow and Clover are doing great as are the Dogbane; best I've seen them in years. Too bad there's not many butterflies out to enjoy them. Seeing many chipmunks and squirrels this morning. When I reach the 2 miles, I have NOT seen a butterfly. :( BUT I turn around a quickly spot a Northern Checkerspot trying to warm himself up. And then a Frit - kinda looks like a Gr...

 Heading up after work to hike Lambs Canyon; actually going to the end today! Stunning day; it's upper 60s and sunny with a light breeze so unlike a normal end of June day but I'll take it. (And there was snowfall in the mountains yesterday and today - crazy weather!) Arrive before 3:30. Bad timing on my part because another group arrive just before me so the trail will not be mine today. (Not to mentioned people don't know park as they pulled into the pull-in instead of parking perpendicular so that there are more spots available - grrrr. I had to park elsewhere because 3 cars filled the lot.) I started before them so that was good. And I'm surprised that despite the lack of snowfall and Springs rains the vegetation is super lush. Can't even see the trail especially on the 1st switchback. Water is still flowing in the creek but no much. There's more flowers blooming but far fewer then in years past. Again the butterfly numbers are way down. Today I see a severa...

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-90s! Heading up to hike to Twins Lake today. Thinking about also taking the trail over to Lake Mary OR walking Twin Lakes. Arrive just after 7am; sunny and in the 60s. I'm the only one at the TH. As I start up the trail, many Marmots running around already at the start. And it's really greening up and the blooms are just getting started. I see Bluebells, Geraniums, Yellow composites, paintbrush and LOTS of Buckwheat! I can't wait for the next few weeks!! I think I'm going to wait another week (or two) before heading over to Lake Mary to catch more flowers! Many birds singing though did not see any "migrators" today. A bit disappointed as I was looking for them. Quiet walk - no deer or moose; just Marmots and Ground Squirrels. Views continue to be good. I make it up the final big hill and it's really windy now. I head over to Twin Lakes and it's incredibly windy; lots of waves on the lake. I'm wimpy, I'm not walk...

 Heading up for another hike to Twin Lakes (perhaps the Pass). Sunny day with highs in the low 90s. THs are more looking like a normal summer Friday but the drive was still quick. As I'm just before the fire station, I see a guy with a large camera aiming to the right. I slow down and see the back of a moose and then a little baby pops out of the brush. So cute!! (I did not stop.) I'll keep the memory in my brain. I arrive at Silver Lake and there's a number of folks here already. Probably should not have dragged my feet this morning. It's 44 degrees and sunny as I head out around the lake. No moose, deer or beaver as I reach the TH. (The Irises have started to bloom though.) I pass 3 people on the trail and then stop because I see a lone deer. I get to share with those folks. And that's the only wildlife I see on the trail (not even a Pika peep). Lake Solitude looks great but no deer around. I head to the other side to check for birds but I see nothing flying. Bane...

 Sunny day with temps in the mid-80s. Was planning to hike up to Cecret Lake but after seeing the week old Alta report with snow still on the trails (in spots), I decided to head to the Mormon Trail. It's been a couple of weeks; time to see what effect the drought is having on the flyers. I get there around 8:00. It's in the upper 40s and most of the trail will still be in shade so I'm not expecting to see bflies on my trek out; the goal is 3 miles. Lots of birds singing this morning and bee buzzing as well. It's my Sunday church music. :) I see some yellows flashes but I catch up to only one singer, the Green Tailed Towhee. Still not much in bloom but than it is only mid-June. Mostly Yarrow in bloom with some Clover, Bluebells and Geraniums. Pretty week bloom. As expected, no flyers to the pond BUT at the pond I do see a Common Checkered Skipper perched on a Yarrow trying to warm up. Lots of algae on the pond, no dragonflies. Just past the pond, I spot a Northern Cresc...