My plans to hike to Germania Pass are on today as Little Cottonwood Canyon opened again around noon on Saturday.
My plan is to park at the Wildcat base and then hike up the upper meadow until I reach Atz's (a restaurant) and the start of the ski cat road that heads up to the Pass. It'll be around 3 miles and 2000 ft to the Pass. On the way back, I'm taking the Collin Gulch trail (2.5 miles) back to the Wildcat base.
I reach the Wildcat base just after 7am and start the 1/2 mile hike to the trail head. It's in the 50s and the trail is still in the shade. It's a bit nippy.
I reach the trail around 7:30 and start up the trail. The last 2 times I've been here, I've seen 2 doe not far from the start of the trail so I'm looking for them. Just as I start thinking that I won't see them today, I catch sight of them just ahead of me. The run farther up the slope but they're still there - somewhere.
About 100 feet farther up the trail, I scare them again and watch them sprint across the meadow and into the forest.
Not much farther up the trail, I see something high up on the sunny green slope - it's a deer!
And to the left of that one is another! (After checking my photos, there's actually 2 of them - perhaps a Mom and baby.)
Continuing up thru the meadow, there are tons of flowers now - if only the sun was up high enough.
Just as I get to my turn-off, I catch a bit of sun!
Then over to my trail up to the Pass. I've been on the upper part of this trail reaching it from Cecret Lake so this part is new for me. Nothing to exciting other than a Marmot and a Pika.
I reach the new road over to Cecret Lake and decide to take a break and walk over for a look. I'm surprised by the lack of people (but of course, happy).
I don't stay long. Time to continue upwards.
I've got to say, there's not many flowers in bloom. Hmm.
Soon I reach the side trail back to Cecret Lake - above Cecret Lake. This is where I normally come up from the Lake. I've gone to take a peek. As I walking over, this section is still full of buttercups - those are the first flowers up after the snow melt. Now wonder there's hardly any flowers!
I take a quick look from above and then head over to my perch to get a good look at the Albion Basin. After a quick look
it's time to continue up to Germania Pass.
Along the way, more buttercups and Elephanthead.
There's still snow up here in spots - incredible for Aug 11!
There's also a cold strong wind; hopefully I'll be out of it soon.
I reach the ski lift (and the top of Collins Gulch - 10400 ft). Time for a quick look.
Before continuing my way to Sugarloaf Pass.
A few more flowers on the uphill slope and downhill slopes. Actually, there's way more flowers farther uphill than there are near the road.
But I do catch sight of a White and one of my favorites: a Rocky Mt Parnassian! (This is different than the one's I see in Lamb's Canyon/Mormon Trail.)
Many birds flying around up here including the Mt Bluebird.
I also see a Marmot (I think one is a baby.)
and Pika.
The view down into the valley (even without flowers) is still pretty awesome!
I finally reach the Pass. It's super windy up here but Mt Timp and Mineral Basin is incredible! (I'm used to seeing tons of flowers down there but today, not much - strange.)
I walk slowly across to the Ski Lift. I find a Chryxus Arctic and more Parnassians. The flowers are on the ridge are pretty good as I walk along looking for bflies.
I reach the lift and spot a small blue butterfly trying to fly in the wind. It lands and I manage to get a photo -- pretty exciting as it's one I haven't seen often: an Arctic Blue!!!!
I reach the right side of the lift and take a seat and enjoy a snack and the view!
After a bit, it's time to start heading down.
On the way back to the top of Collins Gulch, I see a couple of Frits!
And a seemingly fresh Rocky Mt Parnassian! (It could barely fly!)
I reach the top of the gulch and start a new adventure down towards the Wildcat Base down past a still snowy Bald Mt.
Pretty hike but not much blooming on this side either.
Awesome day!
