July 26 - Catherine's Pass (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

There is the potential for big storms today and it's cloudy out right now so I decide to go for a shorter hike this morning to Catherine's Pass. I'm not too thrilled about the $8 charge they started last year but I've been wanting to go there and walking from the resort is not too exciting for me. I support the reason of the charge - trying to preserve the area because it's become a zoo up there - so up I go.

Cloudy morning with the temperature at 73 when I leave my house before 7am. It even sprinkles a bit on the drive there.

The drive up the dirt "summer" road has a fair numbers of flowers in bloom but definitely not peak season yet.

Before arriving at the parking lot, I seeing a Marmot sprinting across the landscape.

When I arrive at the Catherine's Pass parking around 7:20, there are only a few cars in the lot. It's still cloudy with a temp of 62 degrees. I gear up and start up the 1.5 mile trail to the Pass.

Devil's Castle is looking good with the buckwheat in bloom.

And my one moth of the day.

Along the way, I see many different flowers including Penstemon & Paintbrush

White Columbine, Bluebells, Forget-me-knots, Horsemint

Green Gentian

In one wetter spot, there's White Bog Orchid

Elephanthead (one of my favorites)

and Colorado (Yellow) Columbine!

And in the spots where the snow just melted, Buttercups.

It's pretty but the big bloom is still a week or two away.

I see absolutely zero animals along the way; no deer, moose, chipmunks, squirrels (of any kind). I'm not sure where they all were; perhaps it's the weather. There are a few birds flying especially near the start of the trail.

And one pesky "bird" that's a bit irritating: mosquitoes! Not horrible but there if I stop on the trail.

I'm thru the meadow and stopped looking down on the meadow on the final stretch.

I reach the Pass with a beautiful Lake Catherine below. Then up to Sunset Pass I go.

On the backside, I find Sulphur Paintbrush

and beautiful views below.

I reach the ridge. It nice with Mt Timp out there but honestly, without blue skies and flowers, it's a bit lacking.

But it's beautifully dead quiet up there!

I start across towards Devil's Castle but eventually get stopped by some snow. I could go up and over a peak to bypass the snow but everywhere I look are rain-looking clouds. I think its time to head back. I'll be here again in Sept once the trail is free again. I do love it up here!

Many people trekking up now - and they all smell like bug spray!

Back at my car, I start the drive down the dirt road. I'm not far from the parking lot when I see something dark on the green slopes below. I back up to check it out -- it's a Mom and calf!! Awesome!

What a way to end my day!