Beautiful morning, after a record setting hot June, this week has been cooler and below/near normal with some rain from summer monsoons. It's sunny right now, but the weather says late morning storms possible in the mountains.
Heading up the summer road to the trail head, I spot a single doe grazing along the slope above me. And the wildflowers are crazy!
I get to the trail head and there's more cars than I expected at around 8am (but definitely not full).
The trail head is at 9379ft, Catherine's Pass (10,200ft) is about 1 mile away; Sunset Peak (10,650ft) is about a 1/2 mile further. Off I go through the abundance of flowers!
The trail is mostly in the shade but pops out into the sunlight at times.
Lots of flowers in bloom: Penstemon and Beardtongues (in many different shades of blue), Geraniums, Scarlet Gilia (but white), lots of Lupine, many different species of buckwheat. paintbrush (a couple of species), sedum, and so many more.
Devils Castle and Sugarloaf mountains are shining brightly in the morning sun.
Up, up I go through the flowers.
I get to the big meadow and it is not in bloom -- but it will be coming. Saw lots of hummingbirds in the meadow last year.
The views from over the meadow back on Devils Castle are pretty nice!
I finally come to Catherine's Pass and my destination (Sunset Peak) is just ahead of me.
I take a quick stop to have a good look around. Catherine Lake is still in the shadows. I can see Lake Mary in the distance. Lots of flowers in bloom. And a little chipmunk checking for dropped snacks from the hikers.
I start the remaining portion my hike which is not new -- actually its my favorite part -- up to Sunset Pass and the intersection with the Great Western Trail. Kinda looks a little like the moon (in my opinion) for a bit but then there are nice views of mountain peaks everywhere.
I'm seeing Sulpher Paintbrush now.
I continue on to the intersection of the Great Western.
Now for the final ascent to Sunset Peak. This part is all new for me. Most of the climb is facing Catherine Lake.
And then it heads to the opposite side to crest the peak.
The views are just incredible the entire way.
I do like the view above Catherine Lake but I'm still going higher.
I finally make it to the top!! There are 5 other people already there enjoying the 360 views.
To the north: Lake Catherine, Martha and Mary.
To the northwest: Wolverine Peak and Mt Tuscarora towering over Catherine's Pass and lake.
A little further west is American Fork Twin Peaks, Sugarloaf and Mt Baldy. (Secret Lake sits below Sugarloaf).
And can't forget Mt Superior. I can see my trail a few hundred feet below.
To the south, Devils Castle and sitting in the distance, Mt Timpanogos (the Wasatch Range's 2nd highest peak at 11,752ft).
To the east, Pioneer Peak, Clayton Peak and then out past Park City/Heber.
Pretty darn incredible!!
I spot butterfly on the top but with so many people (there's 7 now) and some steep drop-offs, I'll just be bugged by what it was. :) (I do think it was a Chryxus Arctic because of the flash of muted yellow on the upper wings.)
Some dark clouds are starting to form, time to head on down.
I get down and head to my favorite spot a little further along the Great Western for some wildflowers and mountains.
Now its really time to head back.
I was hoping the trail and the flowers would be in full sun on the way down, but the clouds are filling in with peeks of sun.
The flowers are still awesome!
These are my favorites for the day.
I spot a Cassin's Finch (I think) as I near the trail head.
And a Yellow-bellied Marmot. Oh, there's two of them. And another one pops it's head out. It's a Mom and her babies!
I watch and slowly move along the trail (which actually gets me closer). A third pops his head up! I'm almost past when the alarm cry goes off, the Mom and 2 of the babies disappear but one rebel stays above ground (he might not live too long if he doesn't listen to Mom).
Awesome day!!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete