June 26 - Snake Creek Pass (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with highs near 90 degrees.

Heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon to hike up to Snake Creek Pass (10,200 ft)

Silver Lake parking is already crowded and it's barely 8am - thought it was a Saturday but it's only a another Covid Friday.

The Brighton parking a much less crowded, so I gear up for climb up the ski slope. Plants are getting taller. Bluebells, Forget-me-knots, Cinquefoil are blooming with a few Paintbrush. Really, an uneventful climb.

I reach the Dog Lake trail and head up to see the lake. There's still water but no moose. :(

But several ground squirrels and chipmunks running around and plenty of Wallflowers in bloom.

I continue up the trail heading to Snake Creek Pass.

This trails is mostly thru a pine forest but at times breaks out into the open for a short time. From here I can see Silver Lake.

Lots of Spring Beautys on the first part of the trail. Most are only in buds at this point

At some point, the flowers switch over to Buttercups.

There are patches of snow to cross but they are short and not an issue.

But I know it I reach the road and start another climb to the Pass.

I reach the Pass and check out the awesome view east towards Heber City and Mt Timp.

The only flowers blooming at the Pass are some Paintbrush.

I continue up to the ski lift. I'm looking for butterflies but I think it's way too early. As I walk up, I catch a glimpse of the shadow of a butterfly. I look up and see a midsize butterfly that flies over the side of the mountain. It's probably just a Painted Lady.

I reach the lift and look down below at the Twin Lakes dam.

I continue past the lift and up to my normal stopping point. The vegetation is barely up now - definitely no butterflies.

I reach my spot and enjoy the views for a bit.

Time to head down.

I'm finding many Bluebells that are about ready to bloom on the way down.

I'm down a good ways and in the forest when I see a butterfly! I'm thinking Comma, Tortoiseshell but nope, it's a Fritillary! (Callipe, I think.)

Odd that there's are no Blues (or early season bflys) out but a Frit is flying! Strange!

A little farther down the trail and crossing the last meadow when I see a little butterfly. It's a Two-Banded Skipper!

I make my way through the last wooded  section and reach the Dog Lake again. Still looking for butterflies and I actually find one -- a Silvery Blue!

Great day!

June 21 - Twin Lakes Loop (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with highs near 90 degrees today.

Heading up to hike the Twin Lakes Loop (i.e., Silver Lake, Lake Solitude, Twin Lakes). I tried a couple of weeks ago but was blocked by a moose so I settled for a direct hike to Twin Lakes. Time to try again.

There's a good crowd already there when I arrive around 8am. But I quickly make my way around the lake

and to the trail and start my way to Lake Solitude.

Still not much blooming but I do find Waterleaf, Bluebells, Yellow Violets and Heartleaf Arnica.

Somewhere before the ski lift, I spot a moose standing right on the trail. My first reaction was "Crap!". (I'm blocked again.)

But I take a few steps forward and notice the trail splits and the one I'm supposed to be on is not the one with the moose. Yea!

The moose is slowly moving away now and I soon pass him from the trail above.

The snow along the trail is all gone but one small patch that covered 1/2 the trail. But a huge tree fell crossing the trail. Too high to straddled, too low to crawl under; it got a little creative.

Then it's a quick trip before reaching Lake Solitude. The lake is looking good this morning.

I see no deer around but do hear birds chirping.

I do find some of the early flowers blooming and they do look so nice. (Wallflower, Cushion Phlox,

Groundsel)

I head over and around the lake and start the climb to above Twin Lakes.

On the first switchback, I find another patch of nice looking flowers.

As I get higher, the trail (aka road) does have snow patches but only one that I have to cross which conveniently has a nice view down on Lake Solitude.

Before I know it, I've reached my destination!!!

Time to find a way up to my perch. It takes a couple of tries because of lingering snow but I do get there!

I take a seat and enjoy the view and the sound of the wind.

After a bit, it's time to head down to the lakes.

When I get there, I'm surprised that the water is not higher. There's still a beach; there's been no beach for the last 2 years. We've had enough snow so I'm a bit confused but there's snow still melting.

I walk the shore and notice a Hairy Woodpecker on an aspen tree. He flies and another arrives. Hmmm, are they feeding young? I see a hole in the tree and I hear birds sounds; they are feeding young! I find a rock and focus the camera on the hole and wait.

Which waiting I notice a Marmot crossing the rocks behind the trees. I'm torn because I love the Marmots but right now, the woodpeckers are my priority.

Soon, one of the parents return and feeding the chirping young.

It flies and I'm waiting for another to return, I see the Marmot sitting on the rocks. Time to head over. When I get there, I don't find the Marmot, but I do see a chipmunk scare a Pika. Pretty funny!

Time to heading down.

Avalanche Lilies are still blooming at the top.

And I see 2 Sheridan's Hairstreaks near the top.

  one Pika sighting as a crossed the switchback over Silver Lake.

Great day!

June 19 - Brighton Lakes Trail (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with highs near 80 degrees. Perfect day for another hike.

Today I'm heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon to hike a trail I did many times when I first came here but haven't done in 4-5 years - Brighton Lake Trail.

The trail heads up the Brighton ski slope and then passes Lake Mary (extremely popular lake), Lake Martha (the forgotten lake) and Lake Catherine (a premier destination at 10,100 ft). The entire hike is about 1400 ft in elevation.

Another cool morning in the 40s when I arrive.

As I start up, I'm approach by a young man who wants to hike near me as protection against black bear. I tell him I won't be fast but he's welcome to tail me. No pressure.

About 1/2 way up the slope, two guys catch up and my tail hangs with them (yea)!

There's lots of small green plants on the slope and a fair bit of mud.

I do find some Avalanche Lilies, Alpine Buttercup and some Spring Beauty.

Before long, I reach the turn off for Dog Lake. This is my normal turn-off to head to Snake Creek Pass. But today, I'm heading straight to Lake Mary.

When I arrive, there are a couple of guys fishing but the lake is ice free and looking good.

I slowly move along the lake checking out the views.

When I'm about ready to continue, an older couple is nearing so I let them go ahead and I follow at a distance.

The trail sections heading into the woods  have packed snow/ice on the trail (and lots of snow in the woods) but the open sections are still clear.

I reach the other side of Lake Mary.

Before long, I'm passing Lake Martha.

Soon after Lake Martha, the trail heads back into the woods. The older couple is working their way thru but I see another trail that heads straight up the hill, I think that's where I want to be so I head up the steep hillside.

I get to the top and find the trail. Yea!

And continue along, passing by Dog Lake below.

Back in the woods and there's more snow now but there's a packed down little path to follow and that little slippery path goes across two steep sections. A little nerve wrecking but I put my head down and cross.

That final section, I stop and put my spikes on to cross. Nice views below.

The trail turns and before I know it I'm in the meadow. I make a left turn, cross snow

to get to Lake Catherine. Beautiful!

I thought I got lucky and have the lake all to myself like yesterday but there are 2 guys camping along the lake.

I work my way down the near lake side finally exiting into a water filled trail leading through tons of Marsh Marigolds.

I follow the trail hoping to get up to Catherines Pass but there's too much snow. I know with the spikes I can get up the final 100 ft to the Pass but I've pass over some sections of trail that I consider sketchy and I still need to go back so I don't want to push my luck. I'll get there.

I make my way back to the lake and take a seat to enjoy the surrounding (including the ground squirrels).

Time to start heading down - coming up on Lake Martha and Mary

On the way down, I stop for a couple of loud Clark's Jays.

Awesome day!

June 18 - Cecret Lake (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with temps in the low 70s forecast.

Decided to take the day off today. I'm supposed to be in Alaska right now heading to a 5 day basecamp trip somewhere in the NW corner of the state looking for critters but because this darn virus was released into the entire world instead of being contained locally as it should have, the trip was cancelled. So calm my disappointment/anger, I need a high elevation fix.

I've tried several times to make it to Cecret Lake when there's still ice/snow on the lake. I'm hoping today will be the day! And considering there were flurries yesterday and this morning temps will be near 30 degrees, I think I have a good chance.

Chilly morning as I pull in at the Wildcat base. Definitely, crisp this morning and very happy I have gloves. I make the 1/2 mile walk towards the trail head only to find the trail head is closed with the detour pointing back to the summer road. Crap! If I'm going to walk the summer road, I might as well park there so I head back to my car and drive to the parking near the closed summer road.

Once there, I start up the summer road. At the end of the 1st stretch, I find the detour back to the the Albion Meadow trail and up I go.

As expected, there lots of mud, patches of snow and green. Short but lush green. I find Spring Beauty here and there.

And ground squirrels.

The views as I continue forward are awesome as always.

I reach the Sugarloaf lift and instead of taking the normal trail over to Cecret Lake, I decide to take the Sugarloaf Road. I tried the normal trail early last year but with the creek crossing (wet cold feet) and having to deal with snow piles on the switchback, I think the road is the best but steeper option. So up the road I go stopping first at some Buttercup.

So far the trail has been snow free other the a patch at the turn off for the detour and one just before the Sugarloaf Lift but now I've found snow. Not sure how much is on the steep road but there's still a foot+ everywhere.

I have micro spikes in my backpack but I'm not slipping so I just continue up. It's slow and not the prettiest of a hiking pace but I'm enjoying the trip.

I reach a point where I think (and hope) I've reached the lake but unfortunately, I come out just in time for the normal trail's switchbacks. It looks pretty clear but I'm heading back to the snowy road and continue up.

Whew! Finally reach the turnoff for the lake and find a fantastic icy lake with some snow piles. Just want I hoped for!

And there's no one around. Perfect! The lake is all mine and I explore the views.

And another species of Buttercup.

It's chilly here with the wind so the winter jacket goes on. (Its only in the 40s.)

It's quiet; I hear water running and birds chirping; and the noise of ski construction too!

I take a seat to enjoy it all!

While there I see a couple of Marmots running around near the lake.

After about a 1/2 hour, it's time to head back.

I work my way back to the road. Closest I'll ever come to skiing!

It's micro spike time! They help but I still slip down the road.

I catch a glimpse of Marmot running across the road.

 And there's another back down by the Sugarloaf lift.

Back at the meadow for the final trip back to the car.

Great day!

June 16 - Willow Heights Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Cool partly overcast day today with temps barely reaching 70 degrees.

Heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon to hike up to Willow Lake for the first time this year.

I arrive and there's about 6 cars there already but decide to hike it anyway.

As I start up the trail, there's actually not much blooming yet. There's a few Bluebells, Forget-me-knots, Larksur and Cinquefoil. Oh, there's a couple blooming Geraniums here and there. But its definitely green.

The aspen are still leafing out. It's all nice clean and crisp.

I notice there's a family on the "easier/newer" trail so I decide to take the old, steeper way, shorter way to the lake (3/4 mile and 640 ft).

There's no one out here (and no critters either other than the ground squirrels and chipmunks).

The trail finally flattens out and soon I'm heading out of the aspens and into the meadow.

Quite a few ground squirrel scampering around.

And some Buttercups.

The pond has water but I'm surprised that I do not hear any frogs.

I'm hoping to see some butterflies but I'm not seeing any.

Thru the meadow,

I'm back in the aspen before reaching the lake.

With all the cars down on the road, I don't see anyone (including the family).

I work my way past the west side of the lake and to the other side.

Here I find 2 male Mallards but there are no females. And there are no moose. :(

I continue east down the shoreline seeing 2 Blues - Western Tailed Blue.

Than it's into the aspens again as I work my way around the east side of the lake.

Back on the south side of the lake, I finally meet up with the family.

Time to head down. I'm taking the longer, less steep trail back.

Good day!