I'm up and out of the house early for yet another attempt to reach Cecret Lake. I tried last week but got stopped by a patch of snow near the end that I wasn't brave enough to cross. But after another week of sun and heat, I'm sure that last patch is all gone.
I reach the Wildcat parking lot and start the 1/2 mile trek to the trail head. I'm in the shade but I can see that there are plants that are just about ready to bloom.
I reach the actual trail head at 7:06 am (accordingly to the ski lift) and start up the shady trail. I saw a deer at the start last week. Today, I see 2! One crosses right in front of me and the other one spooks and heads back into the woods.
A bit farther up the trail. I see two deer in the distance. They could be different deer but they're probably the same ones as earlier.
Continuing on, there's some new flowers blooming including: Shooting Star
Cinquefoil, Bluebells, and Forget-me-knots. (I think next week's Alta Wildflower festival has promise.)
After Atz's, the partially snow covered trail along the stream is not snow-free!
I reach the actually Cecret Lake trail and start up. No new flowers; still just Spring Beauty and Buttercups.
At the first good view of Devils Castle, the snow patch here is now gone.
I cross the two cold streams and reach the switchbacks. And I see no snow!!! Up I go!
Hey, there are two Marmots chasing each other up by the last switchback!
I reach the final switchback and am greeted by a small green flyer (Sheridan's Hairsteak)!
And then another! Awesome!
The snowy section is now covered in Spring Beauties!
Soon, I reach Cecret Lake! The lake and mountains look awesome!
And there are 3 Marmots chasing each other off to my left. Definitely a Marmot day!
But the area looks strange as they redid the dam last year. It's so sterile looking. The former trail is now looking more like a gravel road and the brush along the one side of the lake are all gone. Not sure why they left a pile of dirt/rocks in the lake. Perhaps, an early snowfall prevented them from finishing. I like last year's version. :(
But it's still pretty and I make my way along to the other side and take a rest and just to the early morning sounds.
It's time to start heading back but first I take the trail/road that heads behind the trail and guess what I see, 2 more Marmots running around!
I turn and start heading back along the lake when the first people arrive at the lake. Enjoy, time for me to start down the trail.
On the way down, I see a couple more Sheridan's Hairstreaks and a Painted Lady as I head back towards the Cecret Lake Trail head..
Quite a few people heading up now; so glad I went early.
I reach the Meadows Trail and head down thru the Bluebells.
I see a few Whites and Blues flying. I catch up with a Large Marble,
a Mustard White,
Silvery Blues, and Western Tail Blue.
Towards the bottom, I see 2 more deer (probably the same ones as when I started) and surprise! A weasel. I see him run down a log and disappear - exciting!
I reach the bottom and start the 1/2 mile trek back. It's now in the sun so I'm on the lookout for butterflies. And I do OK seeing:
a Milbert's Tortioseshell
a Dreamy Duskywing
a couple Dotted Blues
a Two banded Skipper
and a Silvery Blue.
Six deer sightings (although they might be the same two), 7 Marmots, a weasel, good butterflies and I reached Cecret Lake (before the crowds descend as the summer road opens on Tuesday)
Great day!
