July 10 - Broads Fork (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with a high just over 90 degrees.

Heading up to make my yearly trip up Broads Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon. It's usually a pretty empty trail but with Covid vacations, I'm not sure what to expect.

I arrive after 7am and get parking in the auxiliary lot. There are already people parked along the road. The Lake Blanche people are well on their way. However, when I pass thru the main parking, I'm surprised to find empty parking spots. Wow!

Time to start up the trail thru the woods. It's a bit of a grind to the waterfalls; 1300 ft in 1.25 miles. But pretty quiet. And I see more people on this trek than I usually see on an entire hike; I got passed by 6 people going up and 1 going down.

I reach a sneak peak of the falls and climb some more to the bridge crossing and the main falls.

(I think the lower falls is just as pretty.)

Once over the bridge, the landscape changes to a mix of open meadows and aspen forests. And it's only another 0.75 miles and 900 ft of elevation.

After a little more climbing, I reach the first meadow. The sun is still low so the meadows are still in the shade. But there are lots of flowers; mostly Horsemint, a few Paintbrush, Roses, White Columbine, and low of Buckwheat.

There's Sundial Peak in the distance.

Then it's out of the meadow and more aspens and uphill. The second meadow is also in the shade.

More uphill and before long, I reach the Broads Fork meadow.

Tons of flowers (yea!) and snow still on the peaks (double yea!)

I take a quick detour up some rocks for a better view

and on way down I see a Variable Checkerspot!

I continue across the meadow until there's a trail heading toward the mountains. I take looking for butterflies but it's barely 9am; definitely not peak flying time. I do find a few Purplish Coppers.

I make my way back to the main trail and head over towards the pond. Lots of water still at the crossing. I have never liked this crossing and I've never really seen anything special on the other side, so I just head back the other way.

I reach the entrance of the meadow and take the trail up the west side like I normally do. Seeing more Purplish Coppers and hey, my Parnassians!

I reach my normal rest stop and it's time for a break. I search for moose but do not find any. But I do find a Sego Lily.

After a while, it's time to head down.

On the way down, the meadows are just getting sun so the butterflies are not so good. But I do see a Weidemeyer's Admiral, Western Tiger Swallowtail, Northern Checkerspot, Lilac Bordered Copper

and a Parnassian.

Wish I would have been later in coming down so the meadow would've been in full sun but still a good day!