Aug 28 - Maybird Lakes

Sunny day today and a clear one too (the forest fire smoke has finally blow out of UT - yea!!!) But it'll be a warm one -- mid-90s.

I'm getting out of the heat and heading up Little Cottonwood canyon to hike to Maybird Lakes. I've been here once last year and looking forward to the solitude when I get there -- Red Pine Lake is the more popular destination. (And seeing Pfiefferhorn - the 5th highest peak (11,326ft)  in the Wasatch Mts -  isn't so bad either.)

The trail is about 3.5 miles to the lake and 1900ft in elevation.

I'm in the shade this morning as the sun is still on the other side of the mountains. The leaves are starting to change here. But there are still some flowers left -- the Fall bloomers, purple and tall white aster and some yellow composites. There are a few flowers of the summer variety but not many.

Other signs of Fall: rose hips, red Elderberries and changing leaf color.

At ~1.5 miles, I arrive at the canyon viewpoint. Boy what a great view back down the canyon towards the valley. Will look even better coming back when the morning shadows are gone.

Hearing/seeing lots of squirrels this morning. Must be out gathering food for the upcoming winter. See many carrying pine cones and seeing signs of squirrels "feasts" left on/near the trail.

The further I go up in elevation, the fewer the flowers are in bloom.

At ~2.5 miles I get to the footbridge. If I go straight, Red Pine Lake is about 1/2 mile away. But I'm crossing the footbridge and heading towards Maybird Lakes.

Other than in a wet meadow, very few flowers up here - just lupine seed pods, aster fluffy seedheads, etc. (Many squirrels up here too!)

After over a mile of walking, I finally get my first views of the triangle peak of Pfeifferhorn - my destination is not too much farther.

I can see that the lake in front of Pfeifferhorn is empty - just a muddy lake bottom. (I so want to get over there but I would need to cross a big boulder field -- tried it last year --- not happening for me.)
I actually have company here (surprise!), a lady in a pink shirt is sitting along the rocks.

The second/nearer lake, however, still has water and I can get to that one!

I head off the trail to go down to the lake with water. Lots of wonderful red baneberries along the rocks as I head down.

The water is very clear with lovely reflections of the rocky mountain on the other side. There's a Dipper perched on a rock in the lake.

Time for some investigation. I head around the one side of the lake where I see two Hoary Commas flying.

Can't go any further unless I start boulder hopping so I head back to the other side of the lake where I get a head on view of Pfeifferhorn.

Time for a lunch along the lake. It's so quiet here - I'm alone now as the lady has left - hoping I wasn't the cause of that.

So I enjoy my peace listening to a pika chirp (I never found him), watching a dragonfly zipping over the water and enjoying the wonderful rocky mountains. Perfect!

On the way back, I see a Clouded Sulpher on some Asters, a Field Crescent, and another Hoary Comma.

Back at the overlook -- definitely a much better view down to the valley.

I have a little excitement on the final stretch to the trailhead as a garter snake slithers in front of me! I didn't see him, until I almost stepped on him! Glad it was just a garter snake.

Great day!!

Aug 19 - Twin Lakes

Heading out for a quick after work hike up to Twin Lakes in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Hoping to get out of this smoking valley --- looks like a strong winter inversion here right now with the smoke from the WY, WA, OR, CA wildfires blowing in. I'm thinking it'll still be hazy in the mountains but at least the wind can blow the smoke around instead of being trapped in a valley.

It's about 70 degrees and very windy when I arrive at Silver Lake. I'm little surprised by the shrubs, willows, grasses all getting into their Fall colors already. I know its coming soon but a week ago I was looking at patches of beautiful lupine and paintbrush at an elevation that's about 500 ft higher up, and now this! But it is the end of Aug....

I'm get to the rock slide area above Silver Lake and there are Pika chirping; and squirrels and chipmunk running around. The most I've seen, many carrying pine cones -- stocking up for the upcoming winter.

Seeing lots of Purple/white aster and yellow composites.

Most everything else is past bloom.

As I approach the dam and into the open, the wind is really strong - barely felt it down below.

I get around the dam expecting very low water (it was low in the Spring) but the lake is pretty high. It could go higher course but this is good. And Twins Lakes is once again a single lake! Surprising!

I make my way down the side of the lake to the other end and find a nice rock to enjoy the sounds of the wind, the few ducks on the lake, .... quiet.

Time to head back. As usual, I'm keeping my eyes open for moose -- hasn't paid off this year yet -- the only 2 I've seen I had to brake for as they crossed the road.

I get to the rock slide and a pika hops on a rock 10ft from me, he lets out a chiirrrrp, drops down to a lower rock, and enjoys the view of Silver Lake below.

I'm back down to the lake and decide to complete the loop around it.

Lots of squirrels and chipmunks running around.

I spot a single doe grazing in a small meadow at the corner of the lake. (I saw 3 deer in this same spot last time I was here.)

There's a Mom duck and her 3 ducklings hiding in the lakeside grasses
.

Good hike!

Aug 14 - Sunset Peak Pass and beyond

Heading up Little Cottonwood Canyon today to the Catherine's Pass Trail. The plan is to go above Catherinoe's Pass to Sunset Pass and down the Great Western Trail for a bit.

Beautiful sunny morning. It's 64 degrees at the trail head. I hit the trail before a large group of hikers get started - thank goodness!

Still lots of flowers blooming -- definitely far below the peak a few weeks back -- but still really pretty. I'm seeing Mint, Paintbrush,

Geranium, Lupine, .... and Fall bloomers: White and Purple Asters.

Looking for animals but finding nothing other than ground squirrels. They are chirping a lot this morning.

Mountains are looking and there are a few signs of the oncoming Fall, namely the geranium leaves are turning red.

I enjoy the flowers as I make my way up the Catherine's Pass. When I arrive, I'm surprised that there are very few people at the top - it's usually a very popular spot.

I rest for a little bit looking down on Catherine Lake still slightly in the morning shadows before continuing on up to Sunset Pass. On the way up, I see  Blue Flax, pink flowering thistles and dying Sulpher Paintbrush - otherwise pretty sparse.

I get to Sunset Pass and look to the Southeast -- very clear, I can see Mt Timpanogos in the distance and out to Heber City. I'm surprised to see all the flowers still blooming on the slopes - makes me happy!

There's a Milbert's Tortoiseshell nectaring on one of the flowers. I also see a Painted Lady.

I start moving down the Great Western Trail towards the Albion Basin. I've been on this part of the trail last Fall after a snowfall. It was very slick and I just made it around a corner before turning around - the trail cuts across the mountain and it's a steep long slope downward. Today, it's easy travelling and I'm exciting to see where it leads.

The trail heads thru the woods and high around the Albion Basin. I can see the ski resort, the campground, my parking lot -- about an hour ago I was looking up at where I'm walking now.

I come out of the trees and into an opening and oh my, what a wonderful large patch of blue and red - lupine and paintbrush -  right in front of me!.

So surprising and so wonderful! I wasn't expecting to see so many blooms since there hasn't been much along the way --- until now. This is the best flower spot on my entire walk today! Fantastic!

I see an orange Fritillary flying among the flowers.

I walk around enjoying the flowers, the mountain view of Sunset Peak and the Wasatch back.

I pass one of the basin's higher ski lifts, not sure of the name but it says 10,400 ft.

I walk past the ski lift, a wooden shelter that says Ski Patrol and then my trail becomes a Ski Cat two track road. I keep following. The trail is looping towards Devil's Castle and Sugarloaf and heading downhill. I wasn't expecting this -- I thought it would stay high.

I'm sure if I keep going I'll come out below not too far from my car but I decide to turn around a enjoy the flowers one last time.

On the way back, I stop to talk to a couple about the wonderful flowers and we seeing a hawk/eagle soaring over the valley below. After a while he lands at the top of a tree. I can hear his calls.

I have lunch at one of my favorite spots looking southeast.

And for entertainment, I watch the hawk/eagle flying high and circling the basin.

I stop at Sunset Pass for a look below on a now sunny Catherine Lake. I see Lake Martha and an empty Lake Mary.

It's time to head back thru the basin's flowers and back to the trailhead.

I see another Frit on the way down -- definitely different then the one at 10K ft. I also see a Western White.

One last parting shot before I leave.

Great day!

Aug 8 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Today is only supposed to be 80 degrees (yea!). What a great day to revisit my favorite place in UT - Antelope Island. Looking to walk the Sentry Trail.

The day is mostly sunny but there are still a few clouds a bout.

I get to the island just after  9am. The drive down the causeway was .... well very brown/dry looking. Brown vegetation and brown Farmington Bay lake bottom and not much water on the Salt Lake side either. But we had big storms last night so there were large puddles around.

Of course, the further down the causeway I drove, I can see water in the Salt Lake. Took a long time to see water in the bay.

I get towards the end of the causeway and there are thousands and thousands of birds in the Salt Lake. Tons of black ducks, gulls, shorebirds etc. I've never seen so many - I wonder what is bringing them all in. I decide to stop and look on my way out - time to start hiking!

I head down towards the ranch. I see a decent sized herd of bison just before Frary Peak. They are up on a hill right under the White Rock Trail ridge. There about 50 bison -- there may be more over the ridge.

A little further along in a field of little brown grasses are two bison -- one is standing and the other is laying down. Dark brown spots in the middle of waving tan grasses.

That's all the wildlife I see before starting the trail.

On the first stretch of the trail (before Mushroom Springs) I'm seeing many Sulphers flying. Some are in really bad shape - missing parts of wings - I'm not sure how they are flying.

I see a dirty looking white bfly -- it's a beaten up Western White. Also flying are beautiful Melissa Blues.

I stop at the portion of Springs near the trail (it's just run-off) - there's no water and it's not very muddy despite the rains. But I see some Cabbage Whites, more Sulphers and the Melissa Blues flying. And dragonflies - many of them.

I start making my way up the hill. At some point I'm high enough to see a small bison herd below. I could not see them at the start of the trail because they are in a little valley.

I'm seeing lots of grasshoppers and lizards. Oh my were there lizards! Lots of smaller ones -- must've just "hatched" recently. Not sure where the adults are.

There's also a funny looking bee flying. He has neon eyes.

Lots of deer/antelope hoof prints on the wet trail but no animals. The prints have to be pretty fresh (i.e., after the rain last night) or they would be washed away.

I see a Grey Hairstreak resting on a plant.

Further along, I happen to look up (just checking for animals) and I see the head of an antelope peering over the ridge.

I get a quick look before he turns - then I see his white rump, he jumps and then he is gone. I'll keep my eye out for him as I climb higher.

I finally get to the top - wonderful views as always.

On the way down, I see a Western Branded Skipper.

And still many lizards but there are some bigger ones out now. And it looks like a couple of different species.

Further along, I can see the bison herd below is still in the same location and, I didn't notice them before, there's a decent size herd almost across from me on the Farmington Bay flats. How did I miss them before?!

And the bay, there's hardly any water -- it was low last year, it's barely there this year -- we need a big snowfall winter badly!

I get back to the Springs and check again for butterflies. I see Mylitta and Field Crescents, more Melissa Blues and many Cabbage Whites. I head to the Springs but nothing new flying there.

Time to head back up the island.

The 2 bison in the grass are still there - they are both laying down. People are drive right past them without noticing.

I'm almost to Frary Peak and I see a big herd of bison near the water. I'm not sure where they came from - they certainly weren't there earlier. They must be part of that herd up near White Rock Trail's ridge. There's another herd a little further down the road near the water too. Boy, that was a large herd up there - most of them were hiding above the ridge! Must have been neat to see them all come down to the shoreline.

I'm back to the causeway and it's time to check out all the birds. There are so many of them!! Many shorebirds, gulls, and ducks. Now I can see why, there are tons of insects on the water and flying over the water. It's a feast for the birds. I can only ID the American Avocet but many, many birds!!

Awesome day!

Aug 2 - Mill D South (Cardiff Mine)

Well it's time to get back out into the UT wilderness with a little hiking. Today I'm heading to the Cardiff Mine. Tried a month or so ago and turned back after seeing all the Private Property signs - I wasn't sure if I could be on the roads. I found out I could, so now I need to complete the hike.

Cloudy morning which is OK by me, it'll keep it a little cooler.

I actually park at the actual trail head today instead of the road - figured it was worth a shot since it's only 9:15 and I'm feeling a little lazy this morning. :)

Off I go. As suspected, the summer flowers are on the down swing - it's Aug already - where did the year go?!. But the fall asters are in bloom!

The views are still pretty though.

I see a few chipmunks moving around.

I make my way up the first set of hills and break out into the sunlight and the view of the valley. There are still a few flowers blooming: mint, geranium, yellow composites, a few red paintbrush (including a berry colored one), etc.

And there's still water flowing in the creek below - much lower flow than before.

Seeing Weidenmeyer's Admirals flying and some Margined Whites and Frits.

I get to the first signs of the mine -- a big tailing pile -- last time the trail was a mini-river. Today, surprisingly, there's still water flowing along the trail but I can skirt by on the trail edge.

I find what I believe to be yellow sedum.

I continue pass my stopping point last time and begin looking for the mine. Soon I get my first look at the mine area.

In a open area, I see a yellow bird fly between trees. My first instinct is a Gold Finch but this one has a red head - yes a yellow bird with a red head.

I have no idea what it is but there's a female as well (she has no red head).

I watch for a while before continuing. (I find out later it's a Western Tanager - a first for me!!!)

I also see/hear a pika in the rocks near the road.

There are still some nice flowers up here.

I come across the mine to the right but keep on going.

I'm after the mountain view I saw in an internet posting so I continue. I pass several side roads hoping I can get to those mountains. My trail is fading and soon ends a big basin of spent flowers. Guess it's time to turn around.

I head down and take one of the side trails. Hey, this seems to be heading towards those mountains. (Wish I took this sooner, would've saved me a climb to no where.)

I walk closer passing a little wet area. There are Yellow Monkeyflower, Paintbrush, Monkshood blooming and Policecar Moths flying. Very pretty.

I cross a creek and come upon a setup green canvas tent. This whole time my trail is passing through private property (which according to the hiking books is legal - one of these trails goes to Cardiff Pass) but the tent make me a little paranoid as I'm out here by myself. Time to turn around and see the Cardiff Mine.

I head back to the mine to investigate. This must be an old entrance (I walked right over it on the trail.)

Then what I think is an old mine shaft.

On the way back, not far from the mine, I run into two people looking for Donut Falls - ran into a few "lost" people last time too. But these folks were way far away!

A little further down, I run into another group looking for Donut Falls -- that trail must not be marked very well. Can't believe they didn't figure out something was wrong -- they're 2 miles out - Donut Falls is about a 1/2 mile walk. Oh well?!

On the way back near the water covered trail (and mine tailing), I see a couple of Purplish Copper flying. I also see a blue but it never stopped.

A little further down, I stop to grab my sandwich and hear a noise on the hill above me -- it's a single deer - a doe!

And I see a little moth on a flower

and Blue Copper bfly.

Good day!

July 29 - Yukon Day 4 - Heading back to Juneau

Today I leave Whitehorse bound for Haines and then Juneau. Accordingly to the weather last night, it's not looking good for my drive. But I look out my window and there's the sun -- and a bunch of clouds but maybe things will be OK today. It would be nice to see all the mountain tops I missed on my drive up as they were shrouded in low clouds.

I need to drop off my car at 4pm in Haines - I'm leaving 8am -- should be plenty of time to enjoy some sights and get there in plenty of time.

First stop is McInterye Marsh just outside of Whitehorse. Need to keep trying to see moose! I drive past the marsh and up a hill with a great view.

Then back down to the marsh. It's a really nice marsh but no moose. :(

A little further down the Hwy, I think about stopping at a rest stop but decide to drive by. And that's a good thing because not 2 miles down the road there's Elk!!! Three along side the highway. I pull off and put my blinkers on and get out of the car and watch. Two male and a collared female. Pretty exciting!!! What a great start to this day!

The elk are part of the Takhini herd (named for the valley were they range). The other herd in the Yukon is the Braeburn herd. Both herds were introduced in the early 1950s and an additional 119 animals were introduced between 1989 - 1994. (Elk were a native species of the Yukon but they died off over 4000 years ago.)

I do turn and head back to the rest stop. When I return to the Elk spot, they were gone. So glad I didn't originally stop.

I continue own my way but make a detour off the highway to a viewpoint. It's a secretive viewpoint  Wonderful viewpoint - river and marshes. With all the clouds looks like sunset instead of sunrise but it's 10am local time.

See at last 2 kingfishers - and watch a sea plane fly over -- well worth the little drive!!!

Further down the road, I see deer! Four of them (one male) on a little hill along the highway. Again I pull off and watch for a bit. Finally, I'm seeing my wildlife!

Further down, I'm approaching a marsh and looking for moose. I see a brown shape. I actually gasp at the prospect of a moose. And.....it's a log :( Sometimes you want something so bad.....

The dark clouds are starting to build in in the distance.

I stop at another rest stop (just stretching the legs) and spot a Sulpher. It's the same as the two I saw before --- orange wing tips. I need to figure out what this bfly is.

Continuing further, I can start seeing the Canada Icefields in the distance and getting closer by the mile. So nice to see mountain tops today.

It's a totally different drive today than Sunday -- all the mountains are there! (Yes, with patchy cloud cover but still 100% better than Sunday.)

I arrive in Haines Junction which sits at the base of those icefields. This would be a great place to live!

I eat at Frosty's a local fast food place along the road and then continue on to Haines AK.

I make a stop at the Auriol Trail -- I don't have time to walk the entire trail but it's sunny and I want to check for bflys.

I pull in the parking lot and immediately see a Comma. It's a Green Comma - it does fly in the lower 48 but I've never seen one - a lifer!!

I start the trail and I can see a nice open meadow for about 200-400 yrds before entering a forest. A perfect meadow for bflies. Since this is brown bear territory, I start talking to announce my presence and hopefully scare off any bears.

As I walk, I continue to see the Green Commas. And then I see a little Blue flying near the ground. It's a Northern Blue. Again, one I could see in the lower 48 but this again is a lifer for me!.

A little further, I see orange Frits flying. MI think they are Mormon Frits - not a new one for me.

The ahead view is great too!

I want to stay but the dreaded low battery light flickers on my camera -- I thought about charging last night but I thought I just did it the night before - obviously not :(

Great stop!!

Time to head back and try to milk the battery the rest of the way to Haines.

Make a quick stop at Rock Glacier to see what I climbed the other day.

I'm starting to see snowy mountains amid the clouds in the distance - maybe I'll get to drive over Haines Pass in the sunshine (or partial sunshine).

I see 2 Swans a pond before Vand Creek.

There's definitely rain in distance and getting closer. It's patchy - one spot of rain with sun around it - I'm waiting for the rainbow!

I can see glaciers now between the clouds ... 

and I finally make it to Haines Summit. Not totally sunny but I can see parts of the tops of most of the mountains. Beautiful!

I'm driving up on the 3 Guardsmen and it's cloudy, I can't see the top -- but there's sun on the other side and there's the Guardsmen standing tall!

Back thru US Customs and thru the drizzle back to Haines.

I arrive at 3pm so I stop at the American Bald Eagle Foundation Museum. It's a nice place with a collection of mounted specimens of the northern wildlife (birds, fish, mammals, etc) and live birds - most injured and hopefully rehabbing so they can be re-released. Sadly, that is not true for all the birds. I see a Merlin (a small bird of prey) that has an obvious wing injury. The intern says its a birth defect -- this bird will never be released but is taken care of an used for educational purposes. Unfortunately, when I arrive it's Cruise Ship Wednesday in Haines and the museum is packed with people.

The museum also has live presentations periodically throughout the day - mine was on the wildlife of northeastern Alaska. Fun place!

My bags are packed, my plane is here, time to head back home. Great vacation!!