Sept 29 - Red Pine Lake (again)

I tried this trail back in June and got stopped by ice (and deep snow) -- time to try it again before there's too much snow on the ground.

Today is a bit warmer. Its sunny. As I drive to Little Cottonwood canyon, the view west of the Oquirrh Mts is a little less impressive than yesterday as the sun did a fair bit of melting already.

There is definitely more snow in the Little Cottonwood Canyon so today could be interesting.

I get to the trailhead around 8:45. During the summer, I'd be parked on the road but today, there are plenty of spots in the lot. Its around 40 degrees. Looks like its going to be a great day when the sun gets high enough.

Its about a mile to a little stream and the turn off for the White Pine Lake trail. In spots its snow packed, in other icy, and in other clear - a mixed bag today. The little stream is pretty with the snow. The sumac in full orange/red fall colors (and with red berries) looks pretty cool as well.

I cross the icy foot bridge across the stream and head into the woods.

Lots of squirrels running around today and they are making quite a racket as I pass them by.

The trail heads around and up a mountain so its sunny in spots and shady in others. In the sun, the snow and colorful trees are pretty.

Looking out and down the canyon, I can see the snowy Oquirrhs and the colorful mts of the canyon.

But the sun turns to clouds and the wind is picking up. I'm hot from the climbing but getting cold from the wind.

I finally come to the downhill flowing stream and I know I'm close to my turnaround point on my last trip. I'm hoping its not my turnaround point today.

When I finally get there, its pretty windy and I'm getting cold. Two guys coming down tell me the trail is very icy and the wind is blowing really hard at the lake. I want to go on but I know I'll turn into a popsicle at the lake (wind, no sun) even with my extra clothes in my pack so.....yet again, I turn around and head back down. (Someday I'll actually get up this thing).

Of course the sun comes back out as I'm heading down. And a lot of the ice on the trail is melting. Maybe it is doesn't snow this week the trail will be clearer so I can finally make it to the lake. :)

I see a Mourning Cloak sunbathing on the trail.

I'm almost back and see a Hoary Comma (looks pretty fresh) basking in the sunlight.

When I get back to my car, I head up to the Alta and Snowbird Ski resorts for the views. Definitely can't complain.

 

Good day.