The trail head sits about 4.5 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon at the S-turn. The trail shares parking with the far more popular (and crowded) Lake Blanche trail. No there's no lake at the end just a meadow but it's pretty awesome!
It's another sunny day with highs in the upper-90s yet again (and no rain in sight).
Wake early to beat the heat and am pleasantly surprised when I see a temperature of 66 degrees at 5:30. That's awesome as it's been almost 80 degrees all week at the same time.
I arrive at the trail head (6200 ft) around 7:30 - temp is 70 degrees - going to be a much cooler hike than I expected! I like!
I start up the trail; this one will wake you up pretty quickly as it climbs through a fir/spruce forest for 1.25 miles gaining 1300 feet prior reaching a bridge crossing over a creek. The trail is thankfully in the morning shade on the west side of the mountain.
I pass some patches of flowers in the forest openings. Perhaps they'll have some bflies on them on my way down.
It's just a quiet walk through the forest.
Finally, I can hear the creek and then get my first views at a little rest/cool-off stop on the trail.
Continuing on, a couple of folks heading down pass me. They were camping near the Broads Fork meadow and had a moose near their tent. Cool, perhaps it'll still be around when I get there.
A bit more climbing and I arrive at the bridge crossing the creek.
Half way to my destination!! (Just another 3/4 mile and 900 ft to go - topping off at an elevation of 8400 ft.)
Once crossing the creek, I exit the forest and start moving through a meadows and aspen groves for the rest of the trip. (The meadows provide a nice somewhat flat stretch to catch my breathe before heading higher. Not to mention flowers, bees, butterflies to look at.)
I climb a bit more and enter the 1st smaller meadow. It's still in the shade but I can see plenty of pink from the horse mint. I see my destination ahead around that rock slide.
In lesser numbers are Paintbrush, and Yellow composites and bushes.
I do see a Two-tailed Swallowtail nectaring in a patch of sun.
And a few 8-Spotted Skimmer Dragonflies. This one is a female.
The meadow is great because the vegetation overhangs the trail. Love how that feels against my legs and love just following the trail not using my sight.
But its relatively quick moving through the meadow and then back to the uphill trek. Here I'm swallowed in vegetation that is taller than I am - just moving up hill.
At one point, I scare up two grouse -- scared the stuffing out of me!!!
Along the way, I pass 2 older guys who ask me about the trail - more than 1/2 way there. (The one guy hasn't been on this trail in more than 25 years. Welcome back!)
I get another break from the climb by enter the 2nd and larger meadow. This one has a little sunlight but it too is a quick move through and back once again to climbing.
I know I'm getting close to my destination when I finally pass the rock cliff.
Finally, I arrive at the Broads Fork meadow!! Yea!
And this is why I come here - simply love the view!!
I could continue up to those peak - only another 3000+ feet requiring scrambling, boulder hopping, route finding, all well above my skill level. Very happy with the meadow.
I head over the left side of the meadow where there is a beaver pond. Some years, there will be water and others, well, it's just a mud hole.
Along the way, I enjoy the view down on Big Cottonwood Canyon
and the Sego Lily (only find two)
Not many butterflies out yet as it's only 9:15 but I do find a couple of Frits
and a Lilac Bordered Copper.
As I move left and get closer to the creek, there are more blooming flowers. Again mostly horse mint.
I approach the creek crossing cautiously because I have seen a moose at the beaver pond before - don't want to startle one. There's no official foot bridge to cross just a pile of nicely placed logs.
I'm on the other side and move closer to the pond.
No moose but there is water and a family of Mallards which move out of my sight. And a shorebird
with her chick.
Time to move to the far right side of the meadow. After crossing back thru the meadow, I start up the right side trail. I'm seeing a few more butterflies now - Blue Copper
more Lilac Bordered Coppers and one of my favorites the "ghostly" Rocky Mt Parnassian. (It has almost translucent wings tips.)
I continue to where I normally stop above another pond. Definitely, cloudy over the mountains now.
I search for moose and finding none. I take a break here watching clouds move in from the east.
After a bit, it's time to head back. As I head back through the flowers to the main trail. I'm wondering where those 2 guys are - they should be here by now. Fortunately, a little further down the trail, I see them -- they did make it!!
I stop to talk to them again. The guy who hadn't been here in 25 years was very happy to see the area again. (And surprised that the beaver pond still existed.) I leave them to explore as when I leave, it's all theirs!!
Back on the main trail, it's time to head down.
First through the aspen groves and then a large meadow. I stop to watch 2 Stellar Jays who are making a bunch noise. And seemingly chasing a smaller bird. Not sure what is happening.
I see more butterfly activity on the way down seeing Northern Checkerspots,
Weidenmeyer's Admiral
(this one didn't budge as I past within inches of him - must have been some good nectar)
Russet Skipperling
more Two-tailed Swallowtails and a California Tortoiseshell. I also see unID'd Duskywing and Nymph (both small brown butterflies).
After the footbridge, I see a Mormon and Great Spangled Frits.
Awesome day!!
