Sept 26 - Catherine's Pass (and above) - Little Cottonwood Canyon

Really want to get up to Catherine's Pass before the snow flies whenever that they be. (Last year, we already had a foot in the mountains.) And today looks like a great day to take off and get up there.

It's in the upper 40s when I leave my house (with a high around 73 today) so it'll be in the 30s when I start my hike.

The colors continue to change in Little Cottonwood Canyon but the best colors are still near the end of the road.

I drive up the gravel Summer Road and reach the Catherine Pass parking. It's 38 degrees but sunny. (The trail could get crowded today as the Cecret Lake trail closed on Monday - reconstructing the dam. Sure glad I got up there last Friday!)

The hike (~9400 ft in ~1.5 miles) will be a mix of sun and shade as the sun is still rising over the peaks when I start just after 8:30am.

The hike starts off great as I'm greeted by a patch of Purple Asters that are still blooming.

But that's the end of any blooming flowers that I see except just one other plant that has yellow flowers. Otherwise, it's just a sea of dead flower stalks/leaves and seed heads.

Very quiet trail so far this morning but it's still great to see Devil's Castle, Sugarloaf Peak and Bald Mt to my right side.

Checking for deer/moose on the slopes and meadows but no luck. :(

I finally reach the meadow and some sunshine! There are a few birds flitting around but still very quiet.

I pass thru the meadow and head up the 2 switchbacks

before reaching Catherine's Pass (10,200 ft). Awesome as always - especially with the yellow leaves in the distance.

I rest for a tiny bit - there are a few squirrels around - and then take off to head even higher to Sunset Pass (10,450 ft). I really love this part of the hike. I'm not sure why other than it's just beautiful and not many folks actually come up this way.

As I head up, the birds are definitely more active up here. I have to stop at the viewpoints looking down on Catherine's Lake. And I can see Lake Mary from here too! (Photos will be better on my way down - the sun is just in the wrong spot.)

I continue up to the Pass. From here I can see Mt Timpanagos

and over to Heber City which is visible through the bright, hazy sunshine.

I love sitting here but I want to continue south over to Devil's Castle (and views of the Albion Basin). I've actually finished the climbing for the day as the trail now is basically flat hugging the slopes.

I haven't gone far when I'm surprised by a grouse next to the trail but he quickly moves into the brush. I like!

A little farther, I get some incredible views of the Basin and down canyon!

After a short stint through the woods, I pop out with Devil's Castle (and the Supreme Lift) in view.

I walk over to the lift for some better views.

Well, it's time to head back to Sunset Pass to take a rest.

On my way back, I see yet another Grouse!! (Always great to see wildlife.)

And then I find a good rock at the Pass to take a break.

As I sit, I'm very surprised to see some deer/elk in the distance below. I see four. I can't tell if they are elk or deer but they do have a big white butt. They disappear in the woods. Ooh, there are more (probably 6-8) moving in the same direction as the prior 4. Some of the smaller ones are running. Very cool!

I wish I had my camera - actually I do have my camera but I forgot to put the battery in oops - I could zoom in much closer than with my phone. :( I think they are elk - they just look bigger than a deer. But only my opinion.)

I sit and watch and after 5-10 minutes, I see the 4 again! Too funny, they are actually moving towards the Supreme Lift where I just came from!

I watch them until they disappear. I don't know where the other went as I never saw them again.

I also see a single Sulphur butterfly zipping around my area. Hearty critter!

Well, time to head down. Since the sun is higher, so I take a stop at that viewpoint again with Catherine's Lake and then Lake Mary in the distance.

Then it's down to Catherine's Pass (lots of chipmunks running around now), then back to the trail head

(I see a Field Crescent not far from the trail head)

and then home.

Awesome day! Two weeks ago, I didn't think I'd make it up here because of my foot. But yea!!  :)

Sept 23 - West Side of White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Heading up to Antelope Island this morning. It's sunny this morning but clouds are suppose to move in later with highs in the mid-80s.

My plan is to walk the Gravel Pit Trail (5 miles RT) today.

I arrive at the causeway and the clouds are already rolling in - that's fine with me as it will keep things a bit cooler.

Crossing the causeway, the water fowl numbers continue to build.

It's so still out, the reflections on Farmington Bay are pretty cool!

I arrive on the island and head south towards the Ranch. There two bison up on the hill directly behind the Visitor's Center. A bit farther down the road, those old Bull bison are in there "normal" spots overlooking the Bay.

As I pass the Gravel Pit access road, I may have to rethink my hike. There's a group of bison on/near the road right now.

Will have to see where they are when I return.

On the other side of the road, down the hill in the distance along the Bay is a larger herd. (This is the farthest north I've seen a large herd in months!)

Down the hill near the water basin, is a lone bison laying in the grasses along the road.

In the distance is another large herd of bison.

Continuing on, I see yet another large herd across from Frary Peak heading north.

A bit farther down the road, there's a car pulled off looking at something. As I near, I see a coyote moving north along the lake bed.

Just a tiny bit farther, is the car and he's watching a Buck.

I continue on not too much farther and see two more buck!

Oops, should have charged my camera battery last night. Good thing I still have my phone's camera - not what I want to shoot with but it's better than nothing.

I finally reach the Ranch. I don't see any animals along the dirt road so I decide to turn around and head to my trail.

On the way back, I spot at least 9 deer (all doe and a couple of young ones) on the west side of the road.

See another herd 5+ deer (females) farther down the road along the lake bed.

As I roll up on the herd near Frary Peak, I see 3 doe moving in the grasses nearer to the road. (The deer are certainly on the move today!)

I pass the lone bison still laying near the water basin. As I head up the hill, something little catches my eye. I stop. Hey, it's a Burrowing Owl!!! (I pull out my battery dead camera - and guess what? It has enough life to take one picture before dying again!!)

It's the 3rd spot on the island I've seen the owls at this year! That's cool!

I get to the Gravel Pit access road again. The bison are still there. I'm thinking they will feed themselves down to their mates in the distance but I don't trust them. Last thing I want is to return and not be able to get to my car because bison are blocking me. (It's happened before.) Guess, I'll walk part of the White Rock trail.

I continue on towards the White Rock trail on the west side.

There's a few bison in the field south of the Visitor's Center. But no Pronghorn.

I turn towards the White Rock Campground and surprise! There's a lone Pronghorn!! Awesome! He crosses the road and continues moving south.

I continue to the trail head and start off. I first check the flowers near the trail head for Western Pygmy Blue. They were here last week and they're here today!!

I continue down the left side of the trail. There's a lone bison ahead but he's far enough off the trail that I'm not worried about him.

The activity around the sun flowers is almost nothing. What a difference from last week! But there's high clouds and much less sun today.

But the dragonflies are still out. Can't catch up with any of them though.

I head up the hill and reach the circle. Since I'm not walking the whole trail today, I head to the right (south). Much different view for me as I normally head north on this portion of the trail.

I'm not hearing any birds but I am following Chukkar tracks.

I see a couple of Common Checkered Skipper along the way.

I reach White Rock Bay

and turn head east. I'm hoping to see Pronghorn on the mountains along the inner trail. But I get there and see nothing. There's nothing in the White Rock meadow either.

But I do see my one and only lizard of the day.

Time to turn around and head back.

Back at my car, I drive down past the beach and then check on the Burrowing Owl behind the Visitor's Center. I don't see him today.

Great day!

Sept 21 - Cecret Lake (and Above) (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

Coolest night in Salt Lake since May (mid-40s) - wonderful! Highs are heading near 80 today with sun. Finally (yea!) heading into the Wasatch mountains - it's been a long time since I've been up in the Albion Basin. But I'm going there today to hike up to Cecret Lake.

At only 3/4 miles one-way, it's not a long hike but it's what I'm looking for in a hike and I really want to get there before the snow starts falling. (The 420 feet of elevation gain will be the most I've gone in months - it'll be a good test.)

Heading up Little Cottonwood Canyon is a drive thru changing tree colors - even at the bottom. Passing the White/Red Pine Lakes Trail head, it's a sea of varying shades of yellow. Too bad the canyon is still in the shade. Upon reaching Alta, the yellow/oranges are bright and deep - can't wait til the sun gets higher!

I start up the gravel Summer Road and hey, the road's in the best shape I've ever seen it at this time of year. Guess, charging $$ to drive up the road for the 1st time ever and monitoring the number of cars heading up based on the number of open parking spots helped the road condition. :)

Looking for wildlife but not seeing anything moving around.

I get to the Catherine's Pass parking (I still need to up there this season.) and since there are only a few cars, I stop to get a view down canyon.

I continue down the road to the Cecret Lake parking - Awesome - only 1 other car here!

It's a bit chilly when I start my hike -- only 39 degrees.

I start up the trail thru the woods. Lots of birds chirping and flitting around. And also lots of chipmunk/squirrel noises as well.

The flowers are all dry leaves and seed heads at this point but I'm lucky enough to find a Paintbrush
and a few Purple Asters.

I finally get my first views of Devil's Castle.

Nearby is a large hawk (or eagle) perched atop a pine tree scouting out the landscape. As I stand under his tree, I think he's checking me out.

Out of the woods, I reach the start of the rocky portion of the trail now in the full sun of the morning - yes, warmth! At the top of 3 switchbacks sits Cecret Lake.

On the 2nd switchback I get quite a surprise - a very fresh looking Field Crescent!!!

Continuing on, I finally reach the lake (~9550 ft) - it's pretty low but still pretty awesome!

I slowly work my way around to the other side.

My foot is feeling really good and I'd like to get above the lake so here goes nothing. There are two trails that heads up. One is the ski cat road and the other is a trail that heads up the rocks on the west side of the lake. I'm taking the trail up the rocks - it's harder but so much prettier.

Soon I reach the top of the rocks

and then move west towards the Sugarloaf Lift.

I'm not going any higher - I'm at 10,150 ft - just heading over to my favorite perch to take a rest. Can't beat this! (To my left)

(Straight ahead)

Well, it's time to head down. I'm taking the ski cat road back down to the lake. But first, there's a whole bunch of still blooming Yarrow that deserves to be checked for butterflies. Success!!!!

(a Mylitta Crescent)

Well, I see Bald Mountain and it's so tempting. It's just 400 ft higher to get pass Bald Mt and a little farther to the left to get to Germania Pass but not in my cards today. But I do head up the road just a bit for a better look of a landscape I'm still hoping to get to before the snow flies.

I continue down the road - there's a few deer tracks on the dirt road - and soon reach the lake again and head back the way I came. I see a couple more Field Crescents and a very small Hoary Comma. (I know it's been a while since I've seen any Comma but this one looked so small.)

Then I continue down down the canyon. On the way, I finally see my wildlife as a female deer pops out of the trees. It's trotting down the opposite side of the road a bit a head of my car. I'd like to speed pass but I don't trust her. And it's a good thing as she does cross in front of the my car and then heads up the slopes.

Awesome day! Great colors, great views, butterflies (and a still happy foot)!!

Sept 16 - Chasing Western Pygmy Blues (White Rock Trail - Antelope Island)

Sunny morning with the highs in upper 50s this morning. The smoky smell from yesterday is gone (for now) but the air is still pretty smoking - I can't even see Antelope Island as I'm driving north. It may be cool this morning but the temps are heading back up near 90s again today -- when will the cooler weather get here and stay?!

Heading to the island today to look for Western Pygmy Blues. Hey, I've missed the peak of butterfly season, time to catch something at the end!

 These guys are the smallest butterfly in North America (wingspan 1/2 - 3/4 inch)  I know they fly along the lower trail (Bone Road Trail) along White Rock Bay as I've seen them plenty of times before. And this should be the perfect trail for me - basically flat. The trail is 2.7 miles one-way -- a bit too far for me right now but I'll go part way stopping at a bunch of sagebrush I know that exists at about the 1/2 way point.

Besides to Pygmy Blue, I'm excited to see what else is out as it's been quite awhile since I've been on the trail!

I arrive on the causeway and am a bit confused by the muddy appearance on both sides. There hasn't been water here is a very long time - wonder if the strong winds we had yesterday pushed some of the existing water up/down towards the causeway; that has to be the reason as we haven't had rain in a lot time.

The number of birds on the water appears to be increasing. I'm seeing gulls, Avocets,

Black Necked Stilts

and many more Shoveler ducks.

I reach the island. I could start my hike but it's still too cool and I have to see what the animals are up to today. :)

I head south towards the Ranch. The old bull bison that have been hanging out here overlooking Farmington Bay are not here this morning. At least yet, perhaps they are over the hill on the west side still.

Continuing on, I find my first bison (a lone one) not far from the water bin. He's right on the side of the road feeding. I stop to listen to him chew.

I continue on finally finding a large group of bison on the lake bed across from Frary Peak.

As I near a pull-off, I see a truck pulled off -- must be something ahead!! As I near, I see a coyote -- not hard to see as he is right on the edge of the road. I'm thinking he was about ready to cross as I rode up. He checks me out.

And the truck in back (I don't think those folks can see him but he knows the vehicle is there) before deciding to head back into the grasses where he disappears. Awesome!

I pass the truck; he's got a spotting scope pointed high up in the mountains. I'm not sure at what but I'm guessing he's looking for deer.

Further down, I find another large herd of bison. Majority of the herd is on the west side of the road in the grasses. Except there are a couple of stragglers on the east side.

Soon I arrive at the Ranch and continue past - I see another large herd west of the Sentry Peak trail so I'll go and check them out. Also looking for Pronghorn herds.

The bison herd stretches south of the trail head. And I'm happy I didn't plan on hiking to Mushroom Springs as part of the herd is standing on the trail.

I continue on towards the end of the road. I do find a single Pronghorn along the way!!

Driving back to the Ranch, I find a Northern Shrike

and a perched Hawk.

I stop at the Ranch to check on the Great Horned Owls. Tons of bird activity in the woods this morning!! I find the one owl in the same spot!

Still can't locate the other. It'll be easier as the leaves start falling.

On the way north, I see a couple of odd spots on the grey lake bed - it's 4 Pronghorn (one laying and 3 standing)!

And that large group of bison that was in the grasses on the west side of the road; well, about half the group just finished crossing the road and continuing their march towards the lake bed.

Further down the road, that lone bison that was eating next to the road; well, he's still there only now he's laying down soaking in the rays.

As I near the Visitor's Center, those old bull bison are back in their normal spots overlooking the Bay! They must have been over the hill because there are 3 more coming down now.

I turn to head over to the west side -- I had a great morning but it's time to start my walk to find those Blues!

Only a couple of cars parked at the trail head when I start down the Bone Road Trail. Lots of brown grasses, some lower yellow flowers left but mostly Sunflowers.

Lots of activity around those Sunflowers - mostly what I'll call Bee Flies. Some are small and others are pretty large.

Also, plenty of small lizards running around this morning.

But it's quiet just a light breeze to listen too.

Along the way, I see a few Common Checkered Skippers

And Juba Skippers.

Exciting!

But if that weren't enough - I even see a Yuma Skipper! It's only be second one I've seen. The other being near Mushroom Springs here on the island a few years back. (Common Reed is it's host plant.)

I finally reach the White Rock meadow!

Just a short distance more to reach my sagebrush patch (my turnaround point). And it's lined with Sunflowers. I'm checking all of them for my tiny flyer.

Not seeing them on the Sunflowers but I do finally see one. He's flying around these other plants that don't have flowers any more. I wait for the one to land but he keeps flying and flying checking out all of these plants. Must be a male and these must be a host plant -- patrolling for females.

I finally see another as the two meet up, swirl around each other before one heads left and the other right. Hmmm, which one to follow. I go left; maybe this one will actually land. Of course, it was more of the same. Time to move on as there are more sunflowers ahead.

I reach those sunflowers and find more of those "potential" host plants. Sure enough there are W. Pygmy Blues too! Plenty of them! All flying around these plants. I reach down to check the plants out - and ouch! They're prickly - no wonder they don't want to land! :)

Well, I've waited long enough for a landing. It's time to head back - perhaps I'll get lucky on my return.

On the way back, more bee flies, more Common Checkered Skipper and Juba Skippers. And guess what? I get lucky and catch one Blue land!!

Awesome! Mission accomplished!

It's time to head back to my car with Bison Point ahead of me.

I get back to the trail head and find more of those plants (and one with flowers).

And find out, I didn't have to walk at all; there are Pygmy Blues flying around here too feet from my car!

Time to head home but first I loop around to see if the Burrowing Owls are still around. The answer: Yes!!

Incredible day!