Heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon today to hopefully hike to Twin Lakes Pass. I do this hike on the week-end but this week-end is the year's Wildflower Festival at Silver Lake/Brighton; it'll be packed. However, with the record setting snowfall and slow snow melt, there's not many blooms to look at. But the Festival was scheduled last year, it's got to go.
I arrive around 8am; it's sunny and in the mid-50s. Beautiful day!
The vegetation is getting taller and greener but the only thing I see blooming as I start out are Dandelions.
On the other side, there's some Solomon's Seal and Bluebells; not too interesting yet. But the lake is looking good with a few ducks swimming around.
I reach my trail and start along. The Glacier Lilies are now gone but I find White Columbine (Love White Columbine)!
Instead of heading directly to Twin Lakes, I take the branch to Lake Solitude. (My 1st time for this year!)
As I head up, I almost immediately see a deer in the Aspen below. Nope, there are actually 2 deer!
Good start!
Along the trail, it's still mostly green but there are a few flowers here and there.
Bluebells, Cinquefoil, Geranium, Forget-me-knots, Meadowrue, more White Columbine, Groundsel,
Larkspur,
Penstemon,
James Chickweed and a few Paintbrush were seen all before crossing under the Solitude ski lift.
Also, the Currant bushes are starting to bloom as well.
I see some White butterflies flying. I catch up with one battered Checkered White.
Soon I reach the 1st of 2 boulder fields and I see a deer way up on green slopes (above the rocks)! That's 3 today!
I continue on until I reach Lake Solitude.
And it's solitude here today as there is no one in sight (or earshot).
Just a few flowers here including Phlox.
I find a few ground squirrels here that are camera friendly. (They've been scurrying around with the chipmunks the whole trail.)
As I continue around the lake, the Tall Jacob's Ladder and Paintbrush are in bloom along the shores.
I see more Checkered Whites (mostly females today
with a few males)
and a butterfly I don't see often; a Chryxus Arctic!! (I have seen these once before around the Twin Lakes area.)
There's more flowers starting to bloom along the slopes including Silverleaf Phacelia
and Buckwheat.
Time to head up hill for a bit.
Hey! I find an extremely good patch of flowers!
After the flowers and at the end of the switchback, I see a small white butterfly and a watch for several minutes for him to stop; it's a Large Marble!
Up, up I go
until I reach the trail heading up to Twin Lakes Pass. Before I continue, I stop to look down on Twin Lakes.
Time to head higher.
I make my way up slowly spotting another surprise for the day - a Dreamy Duskywing!
I reach the Twin Lakes Trail but it's covered in snow.
Darn, I wish I brought my spikes to get up this one section! I try anyway but decide to turn around. On the way down, I slip and end up sliding down the rest on my backside.
Well, I can't get to the Pass but I can still head up to the Express Lift (10035 ft) and see what's happening up there.
I pass some buttercups along the way.
Before heading to the other side of the lift and hopefully a good look at Twin Lakes below. Unfortunately, there's some snow and I settle for this view of Twin Lakes.
I take a break and watch 2 Hoary Marmot playing some tag below me.
Just as I'm ready to leave, I see another Marmot down there; maybe I'll pass him by on my way down.
I start down and as I pass the lift, I'm greeted by a Marmot in an all out sprint past me before stopping at an edge before disappearing below. Cool!
Down, down I go!
When the Twin Lakes Pass snowy trail is in view,
I watch 2 people coming down. The 1st guy, skis all the way down on his feet - I'm impressed. The lady, she ended up like me, on her butt. But she fought the butt slide and ended up falling several times. Now I'm not so embarrassed!
The rest of the way down, I see a few more Arctics, Whites and Painted Ladies.
I make a quick stop at Twin Lakes on the dam.
Too many people here, moving on.
On the way down, I see a couple of Two banded Skippers
and a Blue. (I have no idea what kind.)
Along the switchback over Silver Lake
I see more Checkered Whites and a Hoary Comma.
But no Pika! They've been missing the last few times I've been here. Hmm!
Great day!
