Oct 13 - Red Pine Lake (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

Since our nice unseasonably warm weather is going away this coming week-end, I decided to take a vacation day to get another mountain hike in without all the layers packed.

I'm heading to Red Pine Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The Fall colors by the road are at their peak so I'm hoping to enjoy that today.  (Red Pine Lake is a 3.25 mile hike with a gain of 2000 ft to an elevation of 9,600 ft.

Beautiful sunny morning with temps in the low 50s at the trailhead. The trail is in the morning shade so it feels even cooler.

There's lots of yellow aspen around  -- will look much nicer when I return.

It's a good start to the morning as I see a Grouse crossing the trail. Lots of chipmunk running around this morning

And squirrels too.

I finally make it out into the morning sunshine - beautiful!

But then I'm quickly back in the shade until the Red Pine/Maybird Lakes split at 2.5 miles

I also see a Pika dragging some vegetation into his burrow. He then comes back out to survey his territory.

I pass the Maybird Lakes split and enter the wet slippery trail zone. This portion is very wet in the Spring but I thought by this time of year the trail would be dry - nope. Then comes the very rocky portion and then just a "normal" trail that climbs.

I arrive at Red Pine and it's wonderful. 

I head to the southwest corner of the lake and look down to the valley.

I see a Mylitta Crescent and a dragonfly.

The water is low enough that I can rock hop to the dam wall which I use to cross to the other side of the lake. 

I've never walked the dam --- some very pointy peaks on the other side which I've never seen before.

I get to the other side and explore. I walk around the lake following a trail along the shore. I'm seeing parts of the lake I've never seen before. But instead of walking all the way around, I head back, re-cross the dam and then walk the trail along the other side.

I've always wanted to go to Upper Red Pine -- I've seeing the waterfall tumbling from Upper Red Pine but I'm usually here in June when there's still snow around. Upper Red Pine was not in my plans for today but when I get to the east side of the lake, I find a trail that may take me there but I'm not sure. 

Upper Red Pine should be 1/2 mile and 400 ft higher (10,000ft). Let's give this a go!

The trail is definitely steep (but not rocky) and follows a smaller stream (now just a trickle). The view down on lower Red Pine are very nice.

I see a ridge up ahead and I'm getting excited that I may actually make it to the lake but no, there's a boulder field and yet another ridge. 

I need to squeeze by 2 large boulders and I'm back on a trail and still climbing. I get to the next rock wall, no lake. I'm definitely on the wrong trail and I have no idea where I'm heading -- maybe to a ridge above White Pine Lake. Definitely time to turn around.

Didn't make it to the lake but the views were incredible.

I get back to lower Red Pine and find a good spot along the shore for lunch.

I see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell fly by. And watch what appears to be a fish (shiny silver thing) feeding on the top of the lake.

Well, it's time to head back done. 

 

I see a Hoary Comma flying.

And surprise, surprise, a blooming geranium!! It's tucked against a rock and has 2 white flowers.

When I get low enough and looking down the canyon again, lots of Fall colors!!

Great day!

After reviewing my pictures, I have located Upper Red Pine Lake! I was very much to the left of the lake but at least climbed high enough to see it. I think I might know how to get to it -- not sure that will happen this year though.

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