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!