July 10 - Sunset Peak

Heading up Sunset Peak today from Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon. (I could get there via Brighton Lakes Trail in Big Cottonwood but the Albion Basin side is much prettier especially with the Summer Wildflower season started.)

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).

I leave them in peace and head to my car.

Awesome day!!

July 3 - Lofty Lake Loop (Uintas)

My goal for my second day in the Uintas is completing yet another hike on my "must-do" list: Lofty Lake Loop. I tried last July and turned back on the last set of exposed switchbacks - it was too windy for my liking.

Today, I'm starting in the other direction (counter-clockwise) just for a change of pace. It's shorter (only 1.5 miles) to the lake and I've read the elevation is better spread out over the distance. I'll just have to see.

I head out from Evanston WY just before 7:30. Sunny morning and around 55 degrees. Passing through miles of hay meadows filled with cattle. Love this type of country!

I spot a hawk perched on a tall pole overlooking the meadows.

And in the middle of a field of cattle, a lone Sandhill Crane.

A little further down the road, I see 2 more Sandhills - beautiful birds

As I gain in elevation (and nearing to my destination), I'm seeing many Marmots crossing the road. Not sure why they're all crossing to the same side of the road - a morning migration???

One barely lives to see the rest of the day as he crosses right in front of a pick-up. He stops just before the tire whizzes by. And then finishes the crossing once the car passes. Whew!

Further along, I spot a deer as he drops down the hill and out of sight.

I get to the Pass Lake trail head turnoff. It's just before 8am, I'm hoping there's parking (it is the holiday week-end, campsites are sold-out, hotels are full in Evanston....) and to my pleasant surprise, there's only a few cars. :)

Time to start this adventure - in the clockwise direction - 1.5 miles and in 700 ft elevation to the lake at sitting at 10,700ft.

Traveling through a pine forest. The trail is a mix of a dirt trail and a rocky one. Can't stop for too long as the mosquitoes are out. They're not horrible but they are there.

A few little stream crossings to add to the adventure.

Seeing the same flowers I saw yesterday around Mirror Lake.

I first pass Pictuesque Lake.

I spot a chipmunk glowing in the sunlight.

And then the larger Scout Lake - looks serene in the morning light.

This lake is used by the Steiner Camp (boy scout). The scouts are very enthusiastic this morning in their loud responses to commands.

I see a large dragonfly resting on some pine branches.

I can finally start seeing some rocky peaks to my left as the canopy starts to open. And then I start heading toward them -- a rocky uphill stretch.

Looks like prime habitat to Magdaline Alpines - I'm looking for them but it's still early.

I do spot a Riding's Satyr. (Saw a couple of them yesterday.) And the little flyer I think is a 2-banded Skipper but it just won't land.

I spot a Parry's Primrose. Very pretty flower.

The views are so nice.

I climb higher until, finally, I get my first peek at Lofty Lake!!

I love the mosaic mountain on the far side of the lake.

I make my way down to the lake -- Glacier Lilies, buttercups, shooting stars in the meadow (very early in this summer's flower progression).

Surprisingly, I have the lake all to myself!

I make my way along the lake to the far end -- enjoying the views.

I make a left at the far end (I just want a view of the entire lake from the other side) and I find yet another little lake!

And there's a marmot running around there.

Time to continue on and make my way to that exposed switchback.

I just start down when I scare up at Magdelina Alpine sunning itself on the rocks.

The views are incredible as I head down the switchbacks!!

Heading down, I spot a hummingbird nectaring.

And that tiny butterfly again -- but it's not a butterfly but a pretty and colorful moth. (I've seen this one before up at Catherine's Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon.)

I make it down the switchbacks and continue downhill towards Kamas Lake.

I pass through some meadows - no butterflies yet. :(

I get to Kamas Lake. The trail heads behind the dam.

Down, down I go.

I pass by three small lakes/ponds and then I'm on the last stretch along Reid's meadow (a beautiful, large wet meadow).

Lots of tiny
stream crossings along the way alongside Reid's Meadow and the wonderful views of Bald and Reid's Peak.

I spot a Milbert's Tortoiseshell and Grizzled Skipper.

What a wonderful hike - would love to do it again (and maybe get to a least the top of that mosaic hill by Lofty Lake).

My initial plan this morning was to head to Murdock Mt and do some butterflying but it's just too early in the season. Time to head home. Great little two day holiday!!!

July 2 - Christmas Meadow and Mirror Lake (Uintas - continued)

After lunch, I head to Christmas Meadows.

I park in the same place we parked last year and went into the sagebrush meadow.

I see Melissa Blues, Blue Coppers

and Ringlets flying.

I head into the Lodgepole Pines (where the Juttas are supposed to hang) but can't seem to scare up anything.

It's very dry here -- last summer, there were puddles to look at and much more flying.

On the way back to my car, I see two Draco Skippers.

I get back to my car and drive a little further up the road and stop when I see a big puddle that I need to check out.

Not much but a couple of Melissa Blue and a Western Tailed Blue.

I do find a Mormon Fritillary in a nearby meadow.

I'm done here -- it's only 2pm, time to head back up towards Bald Mt stopping at the Highline Trail. There's a small pond with Mt Agazzi in the background - maybe there's something flying there.

Nothing but Marsh Marigolds, Bistort, Paintbrush, Elephantheads and Shooting Stars (and some other flowers). I do see one bright orange butterfly but I lost it. Where are the butterflies? (I thought with the warm weather we've had they'd be out by now.)

It's not quite 3pm, let's try Mirror Lake. It's really a really popular spot - hoping there's parking. And there is :)

Just looping the lake -- very wet trail (as normal), lots of Marsh Marigold, orchids and Shooting Star here.

I see a new plant for the year - Lousewort.

Many people fishing and kayaking on the lake.

I get a good look at Bald Mt which I conquered earlier today :)

Now I can head for "home for the night" in Evanston.

Awesome day!!!

July 2 - Bald Mountains, Christmas Meadow, etc (Uintas)

Heading to the Uintas today on a quest to see the Jutta Arctic. Learned last year that it flies at Christmas Meadow -- unfortunately, it had already completed its flight before we got there. So today is my shot -- it'll be like finding a needle in a haystack -- but I'm game and excited!!!

On the drive, I see several hot air balloons around the city of Heber -- not expecting to see that this morning but it's fun!

Also, traffic was extremely light, something I wasn't expecting with the holiday week-end coming up.

I arrive in Kamas and start my drive up the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway.

Pretty easy drive (no traffic) and just before I get to the Bald Mountain Pass, I see a deer next to the road.

My plan today is to attempt Bald Mountain this morning and then head to Christmas Meadow afterwards.

After arriving at the pass, I turn into the trailhead parking. There are about 6 cars around 9am.

Beautiful morning, sunny with patchy, fluffy clouds.

The trail is 2 miles and gains 1250ft. Pretty easy except the trail starts at 10,700 ft and finishes at 119943ft - the highest elevation I've ever climbed. Planning on taking it easy and enjoying the views on the way up.

The trail is all about switchbacks to the top and I'm hoping for some flats spots.

The trail starts on the southern side of the mountain and steadily climbs in a westward direction with ever better views of many lakes below and mountains in the distance.

Lots of flowers on the rocky slopes daisies, yellow buckwheat, some dark purple penstemon (I really like these!), paintbrush, yellow sedum,

and the list goes on.

I'm seeing Milbert's Tortoiseshells - lots of them.

And two small white checkered butterfly -- very small. Think it might be a Two-banded Skipper.

Finally time to exit the switchbacks through some conifers and start heading northeast over a very rocky across meadow. Tons of rocks in the meadow. Thinking this looks like prime Magdeline Alpine (a beautiful solid dark brown butterfly) and Rockslide Checkerspot territory.

The flowers have changed here --- much lower to the ground. Mats of pink flowers,

 very small bluebells (< 6in), Sky Pilots, ...

And still incredible views!!

A little further ahead I see my first Maggie of the day! Many more coming.

Also see a couple Riding's Satyrs -- never got a good look but I can tell from it's floppy flight. And one that looks like a Rockslide Checkerspot.

Ahead is my destination.

I arrive at the other side and ready to follow the trail north when I hear this strange moaning/growling type noise -- very loud. I seems to be coming from the conifers on the edge of the mountain. I stand there and wait -- I think it might be wind funneling itself thru the brush -- and then it comes, a very strong wind whips up and blows my way. Afterwards, the noise ends and so does the wind. Strange but cool.

Nice view of Murdock Mt from here.

Heading north now. Seeing Checkered Whites flying.

I arrive at another set of exposed switchbacks, this time on east side of the mountain overlooking Moosehorn Lake, Mirror Lake, etc. Mt Agassiz and Hayden Peak is in the distance (but getting closer).

Up I go.

I'm off the switchback and now heading toward the top.

A little bit of snow here and many Checkered White hilltopping.

Hey, there are a few Anise Swallowtail up here near 12000ft!

Getting a little narrow here for my comfort.

But awesome views!

The last stretch, the trail crosses a rock bridge and then funnels up a opening in the rocks. I take a peek - not so sure about crossing that.

Fortunately, two ladies are heading down that funnel and I ask them about it. They say it's really short, not exposed (scramble, yes) and I'll do fine. Just what I need to hear. So up I went using all four points contact - and five on the way down :)

And boy was it worth it!! I'm on top of the world!!!

Time to head down.

Hoping to see other butterflies on the way down but nothing.

Incredible hike! Incredible day so far!!

After lunch at the base of Bald Mt, time to head for Christmas Meadows on a search for the Jutta Arctic.