Sept 25 - Fall Colors - Park City Overlook and Wasatch Crest (Millcreek Canyon)

Heading all the way to the end of Millcreek Canyon today to check out the Falls colors. The trail leaves from the Upper Big Water trail head and after about 4 miles and 1900ft of elevation ends at the Wasatch Crest Ridge overlooking Park City's Wolf Mountain Ski area (at 9500ft).

I hiked this last Fall and it was fantastic, so I'm expecting the same today. (And it's an odd numbered day so I will not (more like should not) have to worry about bikes -- they are not allowed on the trails on odd days --- gives the hikers and dogs a break.)

Beautiful morning and heading up to near 90 in the valley -- near record temps. I'll get a break from the heat in the mountains but I still leave early. The canyon appears to have a good amount of color though its hard to really tell as I'm either in the shade or have the rising sun directly in my eyes.

I get to the trail head and start the hike around 8:40am. The trail is still in the shade and it's a cool 43 degrees -- breaking out the fleece this morning (could use some gloves - need to pack those). Lots of colors around - ground vegetation as well as trees --- will look really nice on the way back when it's all in the sun.

As I climb out of the canyon, its finally getting warmer - still in and out of the sun (mostly in the shade though).

Lots of fuzzy seed heads around -- tall aster, purple asters, even some Fireweed and Salisfy (bigger than a dandelion seed head).

Lots of rose hips too.

And I'm surprised to see some geraniums and yellow composites still a bloom -- just a few - I also find one lupine still in bloom.

Hearing the stream down below along the entire trail.

I'm coming up on a little water hole -- hoping (as always) to see a moose... not today.

A little further up the trail (and a little higher in elevation), I check the view behind me. Not bad!

Hearing lots of rustling in the vegetation; some it made by birds and chipmunks.

As I come to the big meadow at the 2 mile mark, I hear a bigger rustle and I stop and look. The movement is coming from the right side --- the sounds are moving both left and right. Then I see 2 doe crossing the trail in from of me heading left. I know there's still at least one deer to the right so I slowly move forward. Then I see a big white backside of another doe to the right - just one. She's slowly moving off into the trees.

If that wasn't good enough, I hear bird sounds just off the trail. I find a larger brown bird under a pine tree moving around. Then 2 bikes come riding by (yes, they aren't supposed to be on the trail but obviously in their minds, they are special and the rule doesn't apply to them). Unfortunately, the bird spooks and flies off. It's definitely a ground bird - turkey, grouse, ????

At the meadow the trail opens up and much more color is visible.

I continue on to the ridge. Oh, the Park City side looks so pretty in the morning sun!! But I know the views are better if I continue up the Great Western Trail. - experience from last year.

I take a short little break (cookie time) and then head up the Great Western Trail for a bit.

The Great Western climbs thru some heavy woods before opening up in a golden aspen grove. It's probably a 1/4 mile before I stop at the first "pull-out" looking down on the ski resort. Fantastic!

There's a hill to my left

And I climb it as I did last year for the great 360 views. The views don't disappoint!

I can see down the canyon into the Salt Lake Valley.

Can even see the rugged peak in the Cottonwood Canyons.

I make my way back to the Great Western, I heading up probably another 1/4 mile or so to the 2nd pull-out. My plan is to turn around there -- the Great Western continues on though past Desolation Lake (my destination 2 weeks ago and into the Brighton area).

I'm on a ridge now with awesome views to the south and down into the Salt Lake Valley.

I make a quick stop at the second pull but decide to continue on to the next corner (the trail goes up from here).

I climb a little hill hoping to get a better view (over the trees) to the south. And it works!

I also find my lunch spot - a log with a view looking down on Park City area.

I spot my first butterfly of the day - a White!

Time to head on down. On the way, I see a couple of Clouded Sulphers and a Mylitta Crescent. (I see a Mourning Cloak when I get back to the parking area.)

The canyon is much more colorful now as the sun is shining.

Mission accomplished --- lots of color!!

Great day!

Sept 18 - A Close Encounter of the Male Moose Kind - Twin Lakes - Big Cottonwood Canyon

Heading to Twin Lakes after work to find some of those Fall colors and so hoping that the Mon/Tues/Weds rain and snow - yes, snow -- above 9000ft) haven't knocked too many leaves off.

The parking lot at Silver Lake is full - actually overflowing. Lots of people enjoying the cool temps (only 52 degrees at the lake) and checking out the leaves.

The Silver Lake meadow is a wonderful golden color, the mountains have pops of color (mostly yellow) -- really pretty.

I head down the right side of the trail to the start of my trail. I see a few dragonflies flying around the lake.

I start up the trail heading up thru the yellow aspens to the ridge above Silver Lake. As I cross the ridge I hear and see Pika on the rocky slope to the right. Down below (in the surrounding area) the trees aren't too bad. Definitely not peak colors yet.

Climbing up to the dam, I find only a few flowers - lots of seed heads though. And I find some of Wednesday's snowfall tucked in under vegetation.

My plan for the day to head up above the left side of the lakes to a ski lift. I'm hoping to be looking down on the lake but I'll see if that's possible once I get there. (The trail above Twin Lakes to the right has been closed since Spring.)

I pass under the dam to the left side and sneak down to the lake for a quick peek (I've never been on this side of the lake). Lots of beautiful colors on the other side of the lake.

There's a trail on this side that heads thru the trees and around the slopes to Brighton but that's for another day. I'm heading up the ski cat road to the lift. The road is wet and muddy and there is snow along the road in spots.

The views of the lake I was hoping for are blocked by a forest of conifers but I keep heading up anyway.

I see a couple ahead of me stopped and looking in/above the trees. Not sure what they are doing. We soon both meet and I ask if the this trail goes to the lift and they confirm it does. They head down and I continue up.

I go about 20-30 ft when I hear this loud Whack! Sounded like someone hitting a tree with a bat. I look around trying to figure out what made this sound. And there, just off the trail about 20-30 feet ahead of me is a moose!! A male moose!! And he's looking at me!

I'm so excited (celebrating inside) but at the same time know this is not a good situation. They are dangerous animals normally but it's rutting season -- hormones are running high and the males are even more dangerous. And I'm about 20-30ft away. (The noise must have been him hitting his antlers against the trees -- maybe warning to me.)

Maybe the couple I met heard a similar noise and was trying to find its source. I'm sure if they saw the moose, they would have told me.

I get one quick photo off when he steps out of the forest and towards me with his head down. He takes one more step and I turn and start running down the mountain for a short ways. I stop and turn around to see what the moose is doing.

Fortunately, he's not running after me. But he is still heading my way. So I keep going further down the road, stop and wait. The moose has a limp and I can hear his mating call -- kinda a low Mew - very soft, I thought it would be louder. He's making the call almost with every step.

I repeat going down a little further and stop several times, but he keeps coming. At this point, he's definitely not chasing me, he's just heading downhill and the road, well, it's the easiest way down.

The road curves slightly as it goes to the dam when I get there I wait to see if he comes down. And after a little while, I see him. He's no longer on the road - yea! But he is heading down the mountain. He stops by some pine trees.

And then continues down the mountain - still calling.

That's was so exciting (and a bit scary)!! I'm so glad I stopped and looked when I heard that noise. Whew!

I guess I could head back up to the lift now but since I know there is no view of the lake, I cross under the dam and head down the right side of the lakes.

Everything is so pretty. I can see snow on the higher parts of the mountains across the lakes as I head to the other end of the lakes

And then I head around the corner.

Rounding the corner, the trail goes thru the end of a wonderful yellow/orange meadow -- I'm looking for another moose here -- I do see fresh tracks.

Out of the meadow, I'm back in the shade and walking thru about an inch of snow. I find a nice big rock off the trail and stop for a rest. I'm looking down the lakes towards the dam. Beautiful!

I sit and listen to the wind and the little waterfall nearby. (There's no one at the lake -- very peaceful!)

Time to head back down the lakes and back to Silver Lake.

What a wonderful day! I'm still so excited about the moose encounter!!

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!

Sept 11 - Desolation Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day today, highs near 90. But its rather pleasant as I head up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It's hard to see as the morning sun is right in my eyes but leaves are changing up the canyon. I can see red, yellow and some orange -- still lots of green though.

I'm heading to Desolation Lake - a 3.5 mile 2000ft elevation change one way to Desolation Lake. Add another 1/2 mile and ~500 feet to get Wasatch Crest Ridge - the mountain spine that separates the Wasatch Front (Salt Lake City County side) and the Wasatch Back (Summit County - Park City, Heber City etc).

I did this hike last year on Sept 25. I had lots of leaf color but there were also a lot of leafless trees.

At the trailhead, there were only a few cars in the lot (it's Friday and school's in session -- nothing surprising here). Looking around, it's far from peak colors yet -- still a lot of green and only patches of color. But I have over 2000ft to climb, no telling what's happening up there. And it's time to find out.

The trail passes thru a mostly a mix of conifers, aspen, and oak. The vegetation is pretty dry and most of the flowers are gone. But I do see a few yellow composites, geraniums, purple asters and mint blooming along the trail.

The trail climbs and parallels the road for a bit before turning and heading up a valley.

It's a little weird that many of the aspen at the beginning part of the trail seem a bit leafless but as I climb higher, they have lots of leaves.

As always, looking for moose but not finding them nor do I see any deer.

I do see a Clark's Nutcracker land in the trees. Many birds are flying around this morning and there's a lot of movement in the dry grasses near the trail as I pass. I never see the critters - could be lizards, chipmunks, etc --- definitely very stealth this morning.

At about 1.5 miles, I reach the split in the trail. Left heads up to Dog Lake and to the right, in a bout 2 miles is Desolation Lake. I'm heading right.

I'm mostly walking thru trees but there are a couple of nice meadows in fall-like colors.

I know I'm not that far from the lake when I turn a corner and start seeing some brilliant yellow leaves. It's sooo pretty!

The lake has plenty of water and is nestled on two sides by close mountains. And the reflections of the yellow leaves are awesome!

I head down to the lake. I see some smaller hoof prints - mostly likely deer -- and smaller larger (somewhat fresh) hoof prints -- either Elk or Moose. I would love to see a UT Elk -- haven't been lucky yet.

Time to head up thru the masses of yellow to the ridge.

I'm surprised to see a Mylitta Crescent nectaring on a little patch of asters.

There's a Field Crescent too! Not all peaceful as they chase each other around.

Heading up there the yellow aspen is really pretty!

I pop out on the ridge with a great view of the Lake

and the Salt Lake valley.

Unfortunately, it's not as clear as last year when I could see the Great Salt Lake too!

I leave the trail too walk up to the ridge and look down on Park City, Hwy 80 and the Uinta Mountains in the distance. Very pretty but I'm definitely a little early -- lots of green down there.

I find a shady spot near a tree on the ridge and have lunch looking east.

And down the spine.

Time to start heading down.

On the way down, there are more butterflies out -- I see more Mylittas, a few Mustard Whites and Clouded Sulphers, a Skipper and Hoary & Satyr Commas.

No animals other than a lone chipmunk.

Great hike -- lovely Falls Colors (and the best is still yet to arrive).

Sept 7 - Soldier Hollow Sheepdog Championships (Final Round)

Heading to the Sheepdog Championships today! I've gone the last two years and have seen one of the preliminary rounds. Today, it's the finals -- the top 15 border collies (and handlers) from the last 3 days. (They take the top 5 scores from each of the 3 days.)

In the previous rounds, the dog had to maneuver a herd of 5 sheep thru a course of gates, help the handler split the herd and then herd the sheep into a small pen. And for their reward, a water bath and applause from the crowd.

Very fun to watch!

Today, they have to manage a herd of 16 sheep over a "double lift" course. The course starts with 8 sheep (without red collars) high on a hill to the right. The dog runs from the handler up the hill and then herds the sheep down thru the middle gate to any area past a post. (The sheep can stay or wander off which many did.) The dog then has to locate the second herd (with red collars) up the hill to the left and then run them down the hill and thru the same gate.

He then needs to corral all 16 sheep and drive them down to the "shedding ring" where the handler is. Once in the "ring", all 16 sheep are then driven up the hill thru a gate and then back across the course thru another gate before returning to the shedding ring.

There the dog gets a bit of a break as its up to the handler to split 5 of the red collared sheep from the herd. (This step was a little chaotic/frustrating because obviously all the sheep want to stay together.)

After this step is complete, the dog has to herd the remaining sheep into a little corral. (Never any easy task.)

All of this needs to be completed in 24 minutes!! And the whole course is worth 170 points. They get points for each gate, penning, .... a driving the herd.

Its a beautiful morning; it's sunny and cool - 46 degrees when I arrive before the starting time of 8am. It's really cool, so I grab a spot in the bleachers and the sun. (I'm sure I'll be roasting in an hour or two.)

The first border collie is Coal.

He had an awesome run going

but during the attempt to pen of the sheep, he nipped at one of the lambs - instant DQ! (A loud "Awwww!" from the crowd)

Next up is Mollie. Mollie completes the course by penning the sheep! (The crowd cheers!!)

She gets 115 points!

Next is Howell, he had a great run but time ended while attempting to split the 5 red collared sheep from the herd. This is where I really don't understand the scoring as Howell got 127 points. I know they get points for herding the sheep in straight lines, ... but.....

Then came Ted; he completed the penning and got 109.

Jese is next. He drove the 1st herd down without issues but poor Jese just couldn't find the second herd on the hill. He kept going after the first herd. The handler kept trying to get Jese going in the proper direction but the dog was just confused. He was trying, he even went off the course into the crowd but never found the 2nd herd. :( But he still got a loud applause from the crowd and a pat on the head from the handler.

He wasn't the only dog to have problems locating the 2nd herd. Sky was next and had a similar issue but he did find the 2nd herd.

He also had to run off a sheep that was not one of the part of the red collared 5 as the sheep wanted back-in the "chosen" group.

Unfortunately, Sky got DQ'd for nipping during the penning attempt.

A local UT handler was up next with her 9 year old dog Keli.

Keli penned the sheep to the loudest applause of the day! And got a 94.

 Way to go Keli!

Cley was the last dog I saw -- he got a 104.

I saw 8 of the 15 dogs run but it's really crowded now so it's time to head out while it's easy to do -- besides as soon as I move from my spot, I'll lose my nice shaded seat. (Yes, I did move to shade.)

Super fun time! Those dogs are so incredible! Some of the last dogs I saw, took a quick water bath before the splitting of the herd -- it's hot and they are working so hard.

But when they popped out of the water, they didn't shake off the water, they went right back to work!

Great day!! Incredible breed of dogs!!

Sept 5 - White Rock Trail (Antelope Island)

Temperatures are cooling this week-end with a cold front coming through today. The high is supposed  to be 78 - perfect day to beat the Saturday crowds in the mountains and head to Antelope Island.

I head out the door this morning at a little after 8am and it's already 76 degrees - it's not looking too good for a high of 78, maybe heading to the Island is not a good idea...but I'm going anyway.

As I almost get to my exit 30-40 miles north, the temperatures are cooling. By the time I get to the island, it's barely 70 degrees - yea! the cold front is thru earlier than they said!!! It's still windy, but I'm sure that will feel good while hiking.

I head directly to the trail passing the Visitor's and a sole bison alongside the road - he's just busy eating. There's another laying down enjoying the lake front views.

And 2 other solo bison in field behind the Visitor's Center. Besides, a jack rabbit, that's the only wildlife I see on the way to the trail head.

I expected the campground to be full (it's a holiday week-end) but very few campers. I grabbed my normal parking spot and start the trail.

Not a single bison in sight -- that hasn't happened too often.

The vegetation is very dry and brown/tan ... but pretty with the sun shining one it.

There are bursts of yellow from the blooming sunflowers, mullein and another composites. The bees are loving the blooms.

Lots of birds flying around today but not a lot of singing. Tons of grasshoppers - several different species hopping a bout.

Up the switchbacks I go. I spot a Western White and Clouded Sulpher.

Also seeing a lot of pronghorn scat -- some look pretty fresh. Definitely keeping my I eye for them.

I get up all of  switchbacks when I see something moving along the fence line. My initial thought is a coyote but after zooming in with my camera, it's a pronghorn! He's moving "funny" with his head down. And there's another pronghorn behind the fence just standing there.

I keep moving and soon notice that first pronghorn is not that far away and moving in my direction -- 100-200 yards off the trail but still in my direction. I stop to watch.

I soon realize why his head is down, he has green vegetation tangled in his antlers! And it's hanging in front of his face -- talk about dangling incentive in front of your nose to keep moving!! Too funny!

I keep moving and spot the 2nd pronghorn on a ridge looking at me and his buddy.

I soon reach the high point of the trail looking down over the White Rock valley - no animals down there :(

But a great view to the east!

I make my way across the ridge and start my way down. Starting to see many Common Branded Skippers flying and nectaring on the sunflowers. Also see a Field Crescent, a Monarch and many Common Checkered Skippers.

There is a small herd of bison on the other side of the valley.

Then I see a skinny dark object about 400-500 yards down  the trail. It sticks out in the landscape so I have a look. It's my 3rd pronghorn of the day! He's head-on to me making him difficult to see. But as I get closer, he moves sideways making him easier to see.

I get a little closer and the pronghorn trots off up the valley.

I finally find a flower that's not yellow!

And some low to the grown purple asters - just a couple plants in one spot.

I'm on the final stretch down along the Salt Lake. Seeing lizards now - boy are they zipping around the trail.

I'm hoping to see a Western Pygmy Blue -- saw many of them last year in this area. They are one of the tiniest bflies making them hard to see especially with flies, bees, grasshoppers flying around. But finally, I see one!! Further along, I see a couple more. :)

Also last year I was seeing lot of Rocky Mt Bee Plant (Cheome family). It took awhile but I finally see 4 plants all within 10 feet of each other. Wonder where they all went.

I get back to my car and it's only 73 degrees - love it!

Great day!