April 28 - East Canyon Trail

A partly cloudy day with highs in the 50 predicted. I'm heading up to the other side of the foothills (east) to see what's going - snow? flowers?

I head up Emigration Canyon which is snow-free. I stop at the vista point which marks the summit for the road. There's a good view of the reservoir below but I'm stopping because there's a trail to the north heading up a short hill that I want to check-out.

I park - they must be emptying the reservoir because there's a lot of water spilling from the dam!

I head up the trail. Boy is it windy out - makes it a little chilly.

I'm not expecting a lot with respect to flowers as I'm at 6300+ ft but am surprised to find a few Glacier Lilies (love these!)

a couple of Yellow Bells

and Spring Parsley!

Also finding shells (the kind that is along a few trails in Millcreek Canyon) - would love to know why the shells are here -- remnant of Lake Bonneville???

I get to the top and stop for the view to the east

and the west towards the Salt Lake Valley.

The migrating Painted Ladies from CA reached the Salt Lake Valley, the week before Easter and I'm happy to say they have climbed up and over the Foothills too!

I head downhill towards the reservoir. As I navigate the swerves and curves, I pass a flock of large black birds. Hmmm. I find a good place to turn around, get my camera ready and window rolled down. As I'm about to reach the area (I can't even see them yet), they all take off. Turkey Vultures -- way cool! They swirl around for a bit before they head off. But there's one left on the ground a bit downhill.

After a bit, he takes off as well. Awesome!

I continue down the reservoir, park

and head downhill to the trail below. Tons of Largeleaf Balsamroot either blooming or emerging.

I hear a bird call, look up and see an Osprey very low to the ground; such a gorgeous bird! He continues to fly south.

And many Painted Ladies flying!

I reach the bottom and north on the trail. Along the way I find more Balsamroot and Bluebells in flower

but most are still just green, Oregongrape (with a few in bud) and a few Waterfleaf plants at the end of the 1.5 mile track.

I also see a Spotted Towhee singing.

(A lot of moose scat along the trail and in many locations.)

I look for moose/elk but not see any on the ground or the hills.

I reach the road and cross to continue up the track a bit farther. Many more Lilies over here (and fresher looking).

And some decent views.

Time to head back along the road.

I'm about half way back when I see a dark spot on the Foothills to the east. I stop and it's definitely not a rock because it's moving. It's a moose!!!

I'm a long way away trying to hold steady in a blowing wind. I continue down the road - I'll get closer but the trees are tall and I can't find the moose again (but he there - somewhere).

What an absolutely awesome day - Vultures, Osprey, Moose and the start of wildflower season!!

April 27 - Silver Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with near 70 degree temperatures - beautiful!

Antelope Island is out of the running for a hike because the nasty biting gnats are out. (Glad I got up Frary Peak last week!)

I checked Millcreek Canyon and the AllTrails comments all indicate lots of snow, mud on all trails. Also, because of the cool Spring, the butterflies are 1-2 weeks behind. So if I have to deal with snow and mud, I'd rather scope out the situation in Big Cottonwood Canyon and then deal only with snow.

So up Big Cottonwood Canyon I go. Very light on the traffic heading up around 8am -- no skiing, snowy hiking trails, empty canyon; I love it!

The bottom is snow-free and greening up. The creek is flowing at a good rate - the over 600 inches this winter has to melt at some point.

The S-curve is pretty clear of snow at least along the road but by the time I get about mid-canyon (Mill D) I reach the start of snow on the ground. Lots of snow on the peaks as expected.

As I approach Solitude, the snow on the ground is high around the houses and alongside of the road.

I put in the Silver Lake parking and am amused at the piles of snow along the side of the parking lot and against the Visitor's Center over 5-6 feet tall!

I'm not sure how to get over it especially since the Visitor's Center is closed. But as I walk to the left of the Visitor's Center, people have made a short trail up and over the snow pile. Glad I brought my Micro-spikes as the snow is hard and icy in the sunny 26 degree temperatures.

On the other side of the snow pile is a winter wonderland!

And there are only 2 other people here getting their morning X-country skiing in - awesome!

Since this is a Nordic Center in the winter months, I follow the remaining snowshoe/X-country skiing trails. Easy walking on the packed/icy snow.

I head in a counter-clockwise direction towards some metal orange markers where I think the little bridge crossing is - but it's totally buried in snow - no sign of even the bridge's wooden handrails. (Still amazes me the amount of snow.)

I cross the bridge (I think)

and then head around the corner of the lake hoping to find something that resembles a trail towards the start of the Twin Lake trail. But first, I have to stop at my favorite summer stop.

Continuing on, I find the corner!

And yes, there's a ski trail so I follow along. I must hike this trail too often because, even with all the snow, I know exactly where the intersection should happen and happy, there have been a few people that have attempted the hike to Twin Lakes already.

I head uphill through the aspen groves.

It's so quiet except for the many sounds of birds chirping away.

The going is still easy except for a few bent aspens trees that I have to work myself around before reaching the switchback.

I reach the switchback which is nicely groomed for the Ski-cat.

I work myself across - so beautiful!

I decide to cross the entire switchback as I'm curious how hard it would be to get to Twin Lakes. Looks possible too bad I didn't bring a backpack or I'd head up now. But if the weather is good this coming week-end...

I do find a nice viewpoint on the world below.

And then it's time to start heading down.

On the way down, I find a paw track. Could be coyote or perhaps Marten.

When I make my way back to Silver Lake, I decide to complete the loop around the lake.  First stop is the boardwalk. It's not buried but I'm standing higher than the rails.

And then to the opposite side.

Continuing on I find a very large eaten cache of Douglas Fir cones.

Awesome trip!

April 17 - Frary Peak (Antelope Island)

After another couple of days of rain (and another foot of snow in the mountains - 630-640 inches), it's a sunny day with temps in the mid-50s!!! Still below normal temps but the sun - glorious sun!

I sneak out of work mid-day to celebrate the sun with a hike. I searched the AllTrails site for a hike in the foothills but the recent reviews have all indicated snow, lots of mud and/or large puddles. Nah, I'm heading to Antelope Island to hike Frary Peak.

As I sit waiting to enter the gate, I see a few white butterflies flying off the side of the road! First bflies of my year!

And I see a Northern Harrier flying (and calling) by.

Not far on the other side of the gate, there's a Kestrel perched.

Still Gulls, Grebes, Coots, and Shovelers along the causeway.

And tons of midges -- too many swirling tornadoes of midges to count. I feel sorry for the folks on bikes driving thru the hoards of insects. (And I can because I know what my windshield looks like.)

I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch.

Surprise, right behind the Visitor's Center is a herd of Pronghorn!

I continue south, passing a small group of bison on the ground just before the White Rock ridge.

The remaining drive is quiet until after the Frary Homestead.....the bison Moms and babies have finally moved to the east side of the island!!

They are in the distance along the shoreline.

I continue to the Ranch to see if there is any animals visible over there - none.

On the way back, I spot a lone Pronghorn on the opposite side of the road but almost across from the bison. And the bison herd is moving north.

I make my way to the Frary Peak trail head and start up the trail. Man this is steep!

Lots of yellow Parsley and pink Redstem Stork flowers.

And great views.

I see a butterfly -- I don't get a good look but I think it's a Milbert's Tortoiseshell

I'm up the first of many hills in 3/4 of a mile as I reach the ridge line.

Great views to the west

and into White Rock Valley (there's a few bison down there!)

As I cross, I find Paintbrush in bloom.

Also, Lupine emerging from the soil and Vetch.

I'm thru the rock tunnel

And up a hill with Lupine (not in bloom) and other flowers

I can see my destination ahead.

Many wonderful views to the east

And west.

And I'm excited to find Yellow Bells!

At one point, I step off the trail to let a trail runner and his dog go by. The runner goes by and his dog (a Golden Retriever with a thick coat of winter fur) slowly makes his way towards me. He looks tired. When he reaches me, he stops and sits in front of me. And I pet him. After a bit, he continues on. But it's not too much farther, the dog stops again. When I reach him, I pet him. I feel sorry for him. :( I don't understand why people take their dogs on 7 miles runs with 2000 ft of elevation.

When the owner turns, I tell him I think he's hot and thirsty. He waters his dog. Then then slowly continue up the trail. I hope that dog doesn't overheat.

I continue along to the final hill. There are tons of Spring Beauties all the way to the top.

I stop to check up my destination the Radio Tower and Frary Peak in the background.

Up one last hill

and I'm here!

And I sit to enjoy the moment!

After a bit it's time to head down.

Almost back!

Awesome day!