Aug 31 - Mary, ... Catherine Lakes

Returning to Catherine Lake today and hoping to make it to the Pass - the only time I was here I went after work and ran out of time.

Driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon made me realize how out of shape I was - typically there are bikers going up (and I'm impressed because if they go to the end its 15mi - so 30 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 4584ft). Today there were lots and lots of folks jogging the canyon - that's like an ironman run. And there were some that were still having conversation on the way down. Those are folks in extremely good shape.

Cool morning at the ski resort -- about 52. Sun has not totally made it over the mts at about 8:45. So the shady sections outnumber the sunny sections. But hey, its uphill so no sun and 52 is perfect.

Pretty much the only plant still hanging on around the resort are the purple asters -- everything is past bloom. But the higher I climb the asters are fading away as well. There are still a few geraniums, paintbrush, etc in isolated stops but its definitely the end of blooming season. (No tree changes yet.)

I make a stop at Dog Lake -- my first trip - its just a little side trail on the way to Lake Mary. The lake itself is still in the shady shadow of the mt. I hoping for a moose but there's nothing so I backtrack and continue onto Lake Mary.

Very few people at Lake Mary - a family camping on the other side and some folks fishing on the southern end. The sun is hitting the lake just perfect for some wonderful reflections.

I continue thru the woods up past Lake Martha -- I can actually see it this time. Last time I was here it was in the mt shadows as the sun was setting. Then onto Catherine Lake -- Catherine Lake was also in the shadows so it was hard to see -- the dilemma of hiking, go too early, there are shadows (and a not so nice view) or wait and see the lake but deal with lots of folks. I'll take the quiet.

There was a marmot on the rocks above Catherine Lake catching a few rays and people watching.

Saw only a few butterflies. A blue that was so beaten up I don't know what it is, a Frit, and a Western White.

The parting wildlife shot was a chipmunk at the dam at Lake Mary.

Lots of folks coming up the trail now -- glad I'm on my way down.