Heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon to hike up to Snake Creek Pass and then up to the ski and a bit above. The trail to the pass is 4.3 miles round-trip with an elevation gain for around 1300 ft.
I love this hike, it starts on a busy trail up the ski run at Brighton Ski resort until reaching the intersection with the Dog Lake/Clayton Peak trail. That's the trail I want, not the trail heading up to Lake Mary. From there, the little used trail passes thru a meadow past Dog Lake and then heads thru the woods until reaching a service road for the final climb to the pass (~10,000).
I arrive about 8:20am. It's sunny and 52 degrees - actually a bit cool. Time start the climb up the ski run. But first, a stop to check out the cute ground squirrels along the trail.
Then up thru the meadows we should be filled with flowers right now but is still a bit lacking - another week or so. But yes, there are flowers. Some areas but flowery than other especially towards the bottom. I'm seeing Horsemint, Lupine, Bluebells, a few Paintbrush, White Columbine and Geraniums.
There's not a lot of people on the trail...yet.
Before long, I reach the intersection with Dog Lake and I head left and then take the Clayton Peak trail (not the Dog Lake trail). I pass thru the meadow which is still mostly just green plants but there are a few flowers - Buckwheat, Paintbrush, etc.
I make a quick detour down towards Dog Lake to check for moose
No luck on the moose but there a many mosquitoes around. Need to keep the stops to a minimal.
Back on the trail, I continue thru the meadow and into the forest.
Very shady in here as it's still early. I find some White Columbine and patches of Heart-leafed Arnica but again, the flowers are late. I also find several of these orange fungii (I assume)
and a white puff.
The forest opens a few times into meadows - no flowers. One of these meadows still have piles of snow on both the uphill and downhill from the trail. I can tell the sections of trail where the snow has recently melted as there are buttercups and Spring Beauties in bloom.
Soon I reach the service road that will take me up to the Pass. And then I reach the Pass. Lovely views to the east/southeast of Heber City and Mt Timp.
There are flowers at the Pass (and a Painted Lady). Looks awesome but it'll get better.
The sign indicates the Pass is at 10,200 ft but my GPS says 10,035. Time to head towards the Ski Lift. Along the way, I do see a few butterflies Boisduval Blue
Acmon Blue (what a surprise!) According to the range maps in both my butterflies books, it's an Acmon but according to the Utah Lep site, it's a Lupine Blue.
What I believe is a battered Persius Duskywing
Chryxus Arctics (yes, that's TP - people are just rude)
before reaching the lift.
I hear something to the left and look; there are two deer heading down on the other side of the lift. Way cool!
I head in the direction of the deer; I can't find them now. I continue along the trail up until I reach a rocky area where it's time for a rest. It's sunny here and the mosquitoes are not bad but the view of Mt Timp is pretty nice to enjoy!
Before heading down, I check my GPS: 10,225 ft!
Time to start heading down.
Along the way, I see a few Checkered Whites
and a Frit as I head back to the Pass.
Time to head the rest of the way down to Dog Lake.
Thought there might be something flying now since it's warmer and the sun higher but only see a couple of Checkered Whites.
And then down the ski run. I was just thinking that funny how I see butterflies above 10,000 ft but nothing down below but just as I turn the corner on the last long downhill section I see a Duskywing and then almost to the bottom, a Field Crescent.
Awesome day!
