Not much snow heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon, simply because we haven't much. Just lots of brown and some dusting of snow the higher I go.
I arrive at the trail head around 10 am. The road to the trail is closed, so I start the about 1/4 mile walk up the paved road to the trail. The creek at the start of the trail is still ice free.
The road is mostly clear but in the shadier sections, it's packed snow. The mountains in my view are snow-free other than the one in the distance to the east towards the Brighton Ski Resort.
It's very quiet out; I only see one Chickadee hopping thru a pine trees. I'm looking for deer and moose. I find what looks like a moose (maybe elk) track in the snow.
As I pass the closed campground, I see a lone doe. I lose her in the trees but she pops back out briefly
before disappearing again.
I reach the final stretch along a dirt road and I finally see a snowy Mt Reynolds. I'll be walking far beneath her peak.
At the trail head, I turn right to cross the stream. There's a lone squirrel in the middle of the snow-packed road. He disappears into the woods as I approach.
The stream is flowing as the sun finally makes it over the mountains.
Time to start heading up hill thru the pine trees.
The trail is dusted with snow in spots and packed snow in others - easy going.
I reach the point in the trail where a small stream flows downhill along the east side of the trail. The stream is icy and snow covered but I can still hear the water flowing below.
I continue up higher until Ugh! The trail is covered in ice!
This portion of trail, even in the summer, is wet so I could see a bit of ice but this is thick! (I was thinking about taking YakTrax this morning but unfortunately, only thinking, not taking action.)
I look for a way thru - the left side is the creek and right side is uphill. I find some luck on the far right but then I reach the spot that looks shiny and slick. I take one step, slip and land on my butt. Oops!
I make a half attempt at getting up but decide since my day is done here, I might as well, slide down on the ice on my backside - it's so much easier.
Then I take my cold, somewhat wet backside and head back downhill. If only I had the YakTrak (spikes would have been even better), I could have made it past that one section and continue. :(
I will remember them next time I'm here.
On the way back to my car, I see another deer (a buck) moving along the power lines.
I didn't make it to the mine, but I'm still happy to be in the cold fresh air, see two deer and a squirrel!
Instead of heading home, I decide to continue up the canyon to Silver Lake - I'm half way there anyway. I know I'll need the YakTrak to make it up to (more so down from) Twin Lakes so my plan is just to walk around Silver Lake. I'm also going to check if the trail is still open to Twin Lakes - Brighton just opened for skiing yesterday so I'm sure the trail will be closing soon.
I reach Silver Lake - lots of cars in the parking lot but they are mostly construction folks still building the Silver Lake bathroom.
I head out past the Visitor's Center. I only see one group of people at the lake. It's quiet, sunny and in the mid-20s. Actually there is a noise, it's the snow making machines at Brighton. I can see the snow being made.
I head counter-clockwise around the trail.
At the foot bridge, I look for trout in the open water but see none.
I do see bubbles being made by the flowing water - pretty cool.
Farther along the shore, I do see one trout enjoying the warm sun in the shallow water.
I reach the side trail for Twin Lakes and its open. I decide to head up to the switchback to check for Pika. The trail is snow packed. Hopefully I won't regret not having Yak Trax on the way down. :)
As I near the switchback, I'm listening and looking for Pika. And I see one basking on a large rock!!
I start along the switchback and I see another on the downhill side.
I get about 1/2 way across the switchback just to have a good look at the lake below.
And it's time to turn around and head back.
I see another Pika in the rocks just off the trail. This guy is fun to watch. He goes from basking in the sun, hiding in the rocks and then popping back out in the snow just off the trail
and diving into the snow (snow flying up in the air sometimes),
circling in the snow
then back in the rocks and to his perch. I just watch as he does this several times. I'm not sure what he's digging for - perhaps stored leaves. And then he disappears.
As I walk past his rock, this is what I see where he was digging. I'm still not sure what he was doing!
A bit farther, I see another Pika on the upside of the trail (probably the same guy I spotted when I first reached the switchback).
I'm watching him when I hear another Pika chirp. He's off to the right just inside the trees. After he chirps, the guy on the rock goes off calling continuously for about 20 seconds - eh eh eh eh eh......
Not a clue why but it was a pretty cool experience (and funny too)!
I head back down hill (not much slipping) and reach Silver Lake again. I continue around the lake to finish my day.
Definitely, not the day I was originally planned but still a pretty incredible day!
