Sept 13 - Germania Pass (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

It's supposed to be another 90 degree, mostly sunny day. The last one this week as a cold front comes thru on Monday dropping the temperatures into the 70s (I'm so ready for these!)

So I'm heading up to Germania Pass (10,500ft) to hopefully enjoy some Fall colors. (Germania Pass is the ridge crest between Little Cottonwood and American Fork canyons.) Not really sure what to expect as I've never been to there - other than I'll be in prime ski country.

Heading up Little Cottonwood canyon this morning, I can see that the Fall colors are starting to pop even in the lower canyon (splotches of red, oranges, and yellows) and just gets more colorful as I go higher.

I have two options: I can park at the summer gate and hike up the valley and then up to the Pass OR I can try and drive up the summer road and park at either the Catherine's Pass lot or the Cecret Lake lot -- if there's still parking. (Parking at the summer lots save about 3 miles in hiking round trip and about 1500 ft in elevation.)

I decide to be lazy this morning and head up the Summer Road (which is in much better shape than this time last year -- only a couple of big holes).

As expected lots of dry and yellowing vegetation which looks pretty in the morning sunlight.

The Catherine's Pass lot has plenty of parking so I continue on to the Cecret Lake lot -- I'm the 4th or 5th car in the lot - perfect.

Very cool this morning especially in the shadows of the mountains. I head up the trail to Cecret Lake.

Not a lot of tree color here as they are mostly conifers but lots of yellow and brown vegetation. Devil's Castle and Sugarloaf are visible thru the morning haze.

I'm on the final switchback to Cecret Lake when I see a Yellow bellied Marmot on the rocks below.

The lake look beautiful this morning with wonderful reflections.

There is a couple on the other side of the lake and a group hiking above but otherwise, it's all mine!

I head around the lake to where a side trail heading up above the lake begins. (I've taken this trail earlier this Spring and got to the road leading to Germania Pass before turning around.)

I start my climb above the Lake following the rocky trail as it heads up and across the slope to Cecret Pass. Nice view down below.

I see another Marmot sitting on the rocks just off the trail. He disappears as I get closer.

I follow the trail under the ski lift (lots of white yarrow and a few asters in bloom here)

and to the ski road. I follow the ski road below Sugarloaf Mt and around a basin towards another ski lift to the right of Mt Baldy.

I find what looks like a miniature Yellow Wallflower in bloom on the road! It's only 1-2 inches tall -- pretty hardy plant!

I get to the ski lift (10,400ft) and see something I was not expecting, butterfly (a very well-worn Copper).

From the ski lift, I get an awesome view of Mt Superior.

I turn and continue along the road up to the Sugarloaf Lift (which I passed under earlier) and Germania Pass.

The road goes under Mt Baldy and towards Sugarloaf Peak.

There's a wonderful golden meadow below and awesome views of the Alta Basin. (There are splotches of yellow trees on those mountains.)

This portion of the road still has many flowers in bloom -- yarrow, asters, yellow composites (blooming and in seed) and other purple flowers. I also see a Painted Lady nectaring.

And there's another Marmot. I can hear a Pika but can't find him.

I finally get to the ridge. I'm at 10,500ft and seeing very rugged and barren country on the American Fork side.

I can see a hazy Mt Timpanagos in the distance basically straight ahead.

American Forks Twin Peaks and Hidden Peak to the right.

Mt Baldy is directly to my right and Sugarloaf Peak is to the left.

I walk over to the last ski lift -- it's like an Alta - Snowbird "connector" lift. The views are incredible. I can only image what this looks like in the winter --- can I just by a lift ticket to get here and ride the lift back down :)

There are two guys coming down from Mt Baldy.

I head back to the Sugarloaf Lift.

I see the trail heading up to Sugarloaf Mt -- it doesn't look too bad - maybe next year. :)

It's about 11am now and it's time to head down. I'm taking a shortcut down a steep trail instead of taking a road -- it's just quicker -- wish I saw it on the way up.

I stop at Razorback for a great view of the Albion Basin.

And Cecret Lake below.

I take the ski road down (instead of the Cecret Lake slopes). I still come out at Cecret Lake. Many more people here now enjoying the lake.

I head around and down to the parking. The lot is full now and incoming cars are just waiting for folks to leave. My spot was gone as soon as I pulled out.

Got to a new place today w/ great views! Awesome day!