Aug 3 - Twin Lake Pass (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Partly cloudy day with highs near 100 today. Heading up to hike to Twin Lakes Pass (I'm confident that the large snow patch will be gone; it's been 2 weeks with 90+ degree temperatures).

I arrive at the Silver Lake parking just before 8am. Very cloudy with temps around 60 degrees.

Surprisingly, not many people here yet; except for the herds of high school track/x-country runners. I saw a group last time I was here. Guess they're using the higher elevations and cooler temps for training. Bummer for all the people that are looking for quiet in the early morning. But good for the runners.

I start around to the trail head, passing over the footbridge and stopping briefly for a Silver Lake photo.

And for this uncommon flower which I believe is Wintergreen.

I reach the trail and start up. I'm not too far down the trail and yes! The flowers are in bloom; so pretty!

Still not peek yet but darn good!

I continue around through the woods finding a section where the squirrels have really gotten into the cones.

Then to the first boulder field. Up top is a lone deer - love it!

I cross through the next boulder field and then arrive at Lake Solitude.

I take a brief stop for sunscreen and sunglasses (the sun is out at least for now). While stopped, I inherit some blood sucking hiking buddies - mosquitoes! Always several buzzing around my head actually for the rest of my hike.

Time to climb the big hill! Along the way, I actually see a butterfly; the Chryxus Arctics are still flying (although a bit beaten).

And another deer grazing in the bluebells way up the slope.

By the time I get to the top I'm in the shade again and the way the sky looks, probably the rest of my trip.

I turn right and start my way to the trail to the Pass. When I reach it, it's clear of snow (except one small spot that off-trail). I start up hoping for tons of wildflowers... and I'm not disappointed. Fantastic!

I'm a bit disappointed for the clouds as it's keeping the butterflies hidden; though I do see 2 Blue Coppers.

Soon, I reach the Pass. The mosquitoes are better at the Pass for some reason but I still don't stay long before starting my way back down.

I reach the main trail and head down to Twin Lakes. Looking good as always.
 

As I start my way around the backside of the dam (which by the way still has water flowing from the overflow), I find my first Fireweed sighting of the year. Fall is near. :(

Then it back down thru the flowers to the switchback over Silver Lake where a Pika crosses in front of me and then down the slope thru the vegetation.

Awesome day!

Aug 1 - Broads Fork Meadow (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Taking the day off to head up to Broads Fork. It's one of my favorite hikes and I'm hoping I haven't missed the flowers/butterflies. I know it's Aug 1 and that's usually past peak for butterflies but everything this year is late due to record snowfall and a slow melt (heck we haven't even hit peak mountain wildflower season yet) so I have hope.

The hike leaves from the S-curve in Big Cottonwood Canyon; one of the more crowded areas as everyone is heading up to Lake Blanche. Broads Fork starts on the other side of the parking lot and is much less crowded; in fact, I'd be surprised to see 15 people today and that will probably be on my way back.

The trail is 2.1 miles (one-way) with and elevation gain of 2100 ft (and there are flat spots on the trail so it has some long steep ups). The trail starts around 6320 ft and ends 8420 ft.

After a dreary rainy day yesterday, today is sunny with highs in the low 90s. I'll definitely be getting wet today because all the vegetation will be soaked and I'll be walking thru it.

I make it to the trailhead just before 8am and immediately start up the trail thru the thick pine forest. Lots of green but just a spattering of flowers (the story of this summer).

Before I know it, I can hear the water rushing down the mountain ahead. It's a steep uphill climb to the footbridge with one stop

no two stops

to see the water rushing down. This had to have looked incredible at the peak of the snow melt!

I make it to the foot bridge

cross and leave the pine forest for meadows and aspen.

I make it to the 1st meadow. Lots of flowers, thick, wet vegetation. It's all in the shade; there's plenty of flowers for butterflies on the way down.

Surprisingly, I do see one butterfly: a Painted Lady.

I could thru the meadow, up a hill (and repeat) before reaching an outcropping just before the last little uphill to the Broads Fork meadow. I made it!!

And there's still flowers both on the downside towards BCC.

And towards the peak!

I walk slowly across the meadow towards the pond on the left. I see Blue Copper

and a Small Wood Nymph. Thought there'd be more but perhaps yesterday's rain and it's probably only 9:30, so maybe too early.

I also find a few Sego Lilies

and a Moose track. It's covering a human track so it's fresh. Perhaps I'll see one near the pond.

Heading thru the flowers towards the pond, I find lots of White lined Sphinx Moths.

I don't make it to the pond (just didn't want to cross the piles of logs this morning) so I start back across and then up into the meadow. There I find Purplish Coppers

a Northern Checkerspot

and a very beaten Western Tiger Swallowtail. (Yes, he does fly!)

I find my resting spot today.

As I sit and enjoy the world around me (BTW: there's no one here), a Clodius Parnassian flies by.

I'm wondering where all the butterflies are today. I've seen a total of less than 10. Hmm?

Well, after a 1/2 hour, it's time to head down.

I do find two Frits along the way.

But am disappointed only to find a couple of bflies in the lower meadows including one Northern Checkerspot and a Weidemeyer's Admiral.

But the amazing numbers of Sphinx moths continue here as well. They are everywhere! Incredible!

I also see a dragonfly.

Then it's over the footbridge and thru the forest. I do a couple of Woodland Skippers.

Wonderful day!

July 28 - Snake Creek Pass and above (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

After a cloudy Friday, a cloudy/drizzly morning on Saturday, we'e back to all sun today with temps around 90 degrees.

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!