Sept 7 - Summit Park Peak

Somewhere new today -- Summit Park Peak. Its actually 1/2 between my 2 favorite places Lamb's Canyon and Mormon Pioneer Trail off HWY 80. The trail is 6mi round-trip w/ a starting elevation of 7368; and gain 1250ft. I've always wondered what was at the Parley's Summit exit and today I'll find out.

The trailhead is at the end of a paved road. My guide says I could drive to the trailhead but there were a couple cars parked at the end of the paved road - so I figured that they were there for a reason, so I should just follow. Sure enough about 20yrds on the gravel road was a nasty dip in the road. My low clearance car would've been eaten alive; but once past it, the road was just another gravel road.

As I'm looking for the actual start of the trail off the road, I'm greeted by 2 dogs -- the one just ignores me and the other comes over for a sniff and a scratch on the head. The owner (a lady) shows me where the trail begins, and says I can't get lost because all the trails (and there a plenty -- mostly for the bikers) loop around and either end here or a bit further up the road. She also tells me to go up to Summit Park Peak (which is where I was going) --- the locals have arranged rocks like a living room. She says to look for the Over Easy Trail.

So off I went up a series of 10 switchback called the Short Stack. The trail climbs thru a forest of white fir and spruce. Not much blooming - late in the season and its very heavily shaded --- there are past-bloomed mint though.

I meet up with a "happy dog" (a Golden Retriever) heading down the trail. Love those dogs!

I finally get thru the switchbacks and it opens up with a clear view east towards Park City. I'm out of the fir/spruce forest and among lots and lots of low growing scrub oak -- I need to remember this for CO Hairstreaks come next July (that's their host plant).

The trail comes into a forest of oak/maple and aspens. I'm just enjoying the sights when a snake slithers across the trail -- well, that livened things up.

Now here's where I get confused, in my head I know I should just keep following the trail (WOS trail or Weather Observation Station trail) but I keep remembering that the lady I met below said to take the Over Easy trail so when I came upon it, I took the right to follow it.

The trail was narrow as it wove thru the flowers (dead and dry flowers), and it was very steep. I finally came out onto a semi-ridge -- not a very good view. But that wasn't the end, the trail kept going up heading south -- not as steep now but pretty decent. In and out of the forest. And finally to the ridge. The view to the right was over Lamb's Canyon (one of my favorite hiking spots) and to the left, Park City.

I had a choice to go right or left - well not really, the trail to the right was blocked with a branch (usually means "don't go this way") so I had left along the ridge. There's some purple asters up here (yea, some flowers). Then I come upon a wooden cabin/shelter. Its between a couple of trees; has a tarp roof and inside,

its pretty sweet - a wooden slat "bed", a folding chair and not a bad view.

I continue along the ridge trying to find my way down. I see the trail a bit further down actually heading uphill. Hmmm... I'm a bit confused. And there are storms clouds building so I decided that the peak (and the living room) can be reached another day. (Should've stuck to the original plan.)

On the way down and one of the few very small patches of yellow flowers, there is a Mormon Metalmark bfly -- first one of the season and the first (and only bfly of the day).

I meet a Husky on the way down (he was going up....very slowly). The owner was in front of the dog and when he saw me, he just stopped --- think he wanted a rest and a pat on the head. A little further down the trail was a puppy Golden Retriever -- happy, ears flopping, tongue hanging and tail wagging. Can't beat it!

Sept 1 - Sunset Peak (actually Pass)

I was up before 5am this morning (my body must have thought it was a workday) which is OK but I couldn't go back to sleep. (bummer) Finally a little after 6, decided it was time to get up and go on an early hike. It was cloudy but only 20% chance of rain and the forecast said "Sunny" (must mean the clouds will burn off shortly).

Time to go to the Albion Basin which is at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon and above the Alta and Snowbird ski resorts at around 9500ft. Have never been that far in the Canyon (and it is as far as you can). But I've heard 1) its a great spot for moose 2) it is a premier area for wildflowers in July. I'm a little late for the wildflowers but definitely not moose.

The goal is Sunset Peak which is 4.2 mile (round trip) w/ a elevation gain of 1269ft (starting from 9379ft). The trail passes through the basin and up to Catherine's Pass (i.e., above Catherine Lake where I was yesterday) and up to Sunset Peak.

To get there, its to the end of the pavement (thru the town of Alta) and then 2miles on a dirt road winding up to the parking area. The views are incredible (despite the ski lifts). Huge mountains.

As I start up the dirt road, there's a doe in the middle of the road, just standing. I stop the car to watch. She finally hears my car and is trying to figure out what to do. Then on the left side of the road, a fawn steps out of the vegetation onto the road w/ Mom. Both are looking at me (and grooming themselves). I inch my car forward a bit and another fawn steps onto the road.

The first fawn gets a little spooked and heads into the vegetation. I inch forward some more and both deer start into the brush. I look to the left to make sure there are no more deer and there is another doe; I see her head. I move my car slowly because I'm afraid she'll bolt in front of my car; or worse, over the car. But she stayed and I got to pass. That's a nice start to the morning!

I continue to climb and finally get to the parking area (the parking to Cecret Lake is a little further down and a place I still need to visit). Only a few cars at about 8:30 --- 2 of them were guys with spotting scopes checking out the buck --- its hunting season and although they can't hunt in the direction they were looking, hunting is legal in some of the areas which I passed thru.

As I start up the trail, lots of purple asters still in bloom!

I was shocked because yesterday's hike was a little lower in elevation  the asters were about bloomed out by the time I got to Lake Mary (9,200).  But not complaining as they sure look nice. There were also white yarrow, a yellow buckwheat and some other yellow pea-like flower. There were lots of flowers past bloom - mints, lupine, geraniums, etc. And in an odd sort of way, they look pretty too.

There are some big mountains across the basin. I wish the sun was out because the mts would definitely look better against a blue sky and not totally cloudy one; but w/ the flowers in the foreground, they still look great!

I'm not too far into the trail when I come upon a man going in the opposite direction. He says something like "Boy, you're drinking a lot of water today" and I have no idea who he's talking to because there's no one else around. Maybe he's been hiking a bit too long. But as we pass, he has his 2-3yr old son on his back. And he has the camelback water tube in his mouth. I take their picture against the mountains and the little boy asks it I hear "it". All I hear are birds, then I hear it -- he's blowing bubbles in the tube. He was all smiles. What a cutey!

I see some ground squirrels along the way and then final come to a rather large meadow.

I checking it for moose but nothing. One last climb but I reached Catherine Pass (10,200). And yes, Catherine Lake is down below.

I've finally made it to the pass. The first time, I just ran out of time; yesterday, I got a headache on the hike (and I never get headaches) so I just never tried. But today success!

I see only one person at the lake -- pretty quiet, cloudy Sunday.

Time to go to Sunset Peak. I look at the trail and its pretty exposed - not liking it too much. But I talk myself into at least trying (I can always turn around). But as I climb, the trail turns to the backside of the mountain (yea!) which was less exposed and very sandy (not sure where the sand came from in this rocky environment).

I get almost to the Sunset Pass and there's this unbelievable view across the basin -- there's Lake Mary, Martha and Catherine!

I get to Sunset Pass.  The Great Western Trail connects here; but I'm not sure which way to go to Sunset Peak. Wish I would have brought my trail book along because I can't be that far way. Guess I'll just save it for another day -- maybe one with sun and possibly autumn colors. :)

As I head back down, many more folks heading up. Sometimes it pays to wake up early.

Next time I come to Catherine Lake, I'm coming this way as it is so much prettier than heading up from Big Cottonwood Canyon (except BCC has plenty of parking; LCC has very little parking - but does have a shuttle).

Great day (and it never did get sunny...the whole day).

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.

Aug 30 - International Sheepdog Championships

Today was Day 1 of the International Sheepdog Championships outside of Heber UT at the site used for the Biathalon and Nordic Ski events in the 2002 SLC Olympics.

Not sure what to expect today but I'm thinking it going to be a blast watching dogs herd sheep around. And I was not disappointed.

Got there around 9:30 and left at 3pm only because my butt hurt from sitting all day on wooden bleachers :) (And standing would mean doing so in the 90+ degree sun - not too fun.)

I started with the Splash dogs -- obviously not herding sheep but jumping into a pool of water after their favorite toy. Most of these dogs weren't the championship dogs you would see on ESPN (ie., stopping at the end of the boardwalk instead of jumping after the ball) but they were just as fun to watch. There were some good jumpers - saw 2 dogs get to 16-17ft.

But it was time to watch the herding.

The dog had to herd 5 sheep down a hill and thru a gate,

then down toward the handler into a "shedding ring", then uphill a little thru another gate, then across the hill and thru another gate (probably the most troublesome gate) before returning to the shedding ring. There, the handler and the dog have to separate the herd in a group of 2 and a group of 3 (and it wasn't as easy as it sounds). After that, the dog had to herd the 5 sheep into a pen - the hardest task of the event as I saw about 20 dogs and only 3 got the sheep in the pen

-- some were so very close, and then one sheep would bolt and the dog would start all over again. (And they had 15 minutes to complete.) After the course was over, the dog ran to a tub of water which it plopped into -- kinda like a ice tub for athletes.

All was very fun -- the crowd was clapping whenever the sheep went thru a gate and groaned when the gates were missed and laughed when one of the sheep would stomped its hoof at the dog - naturally the dog was unfazed.

The penning pretty much had everyone on the edge of their seats (including myself) rooting for the dog and moaning every time a sheep bolted (which they did a lot).

The sheep ruled though; one dog that medaled last year, didn't even complete the course, the sheep were all skiddish and breaking everywhere. There was one very impressive 2yr dog -- didn't pen but impressed the judges for 70pts -- the high when I left was 85 (1st dog I saw pen the sheep - the other 2 penning dogs got a 75 and 72).

But some of the dogs had their day. One dog decided to take a water break after the sheep first got into the shedding ring. Minutes passed as the dog enjoyed the water and the handler stood there with the sheep. I think the dog was hoping they'd go away, but when they didn't, he did get out of the water and continue herding. But when he left the sheep at the final pen for the water, the judge called the match because he thought something was wrong with the dog (heat, altitude). I saw the handler later and asked if the dog was OK, She said he was fine, he was just being bad (maybe that was baaaaaad).

There was another dog who went for the water on the 2nd return to the shedding pen. He was there for a very short period of time before resuming. But everyone could tell when he was trying to get the sheep back to the pen, he lost focus and almost headed back to the water but the handler got him back.

There was also one dog that came up limping, which they quickly stopped the course. Not sure if it was a cramp, maybe a thorn but after the water bath, he seemed to be walking OK.

Sometime in the early afternoon, the sheep that were already herded almost made a break for freedom and cause chaos on the course. Their pen was right in back of where I was sitting. They were pretty quiet and all of a sudden there was a loud bleat, the lady next to me and I turned around to watch all the sheep heading back down the chutes (someone left the gate opened). The lead sheep was excited as he pounced into the air - jumping for joy. But fortunately, the sheep handlers scrambled before 50+ sheep were released onto the course. Could have been very interesting.

A fantastic day!

More photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whalerider33/sets/72157635308790264/

Aug 24 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

Haven't been here in over a month, so time for a checkup (and to be honest, I really didn't feel like climbing today -- this one has elevation but over 4miles which was great).

Supposed to be sunny all day today (according to weatherman) but there are certainly some ugly looking clouds this morning. But I'm not too worry because last night we had thunder/lightening, booms, bangs....but no rain.

53degrees at the trailhead. Bunch of folks camping there. Ran into 3 little girls on the trail (still in the PJs and several hundreds yards from camps on a twisty path thru tall vegetation) as I say hello to them, one asks me "Are you walking home now?" What?? Gotta love kids -- I just reply, "No, just walking."

Sunny and cool but there are dark clouds coming.

Not a lot of flowers around but the ones blooming are the yellows & purple of fall (goldenrod, daisies/sunflowers and asters). Even the grasses are turning yellow (and it not from lack of rain). Some of the trees are even starting to turn colors (a bit of yellow and red). The lupine seedpods are open and dry; the mint flowers are too dry, and lots of berries about.

Coming the opposite direction is a man in full camouflage w/ two young girls (carrying rocks) and he has a bow-n-arrow. Said he saw a couple of doe and a moose -- but too small to take (it is hunting season). A little while later, another guy in camo passes with a bow as well.

There's small patch of milkweed, but strangely, all of the flowers have been cut off -- I don't think there's some animal that eat them all, someone must have wanted them & I have no idea why.

There are some skippers flying and it's a new one (and lifer for me), Woodland Skippers. Beautiful little guys and they were everywhere today.

Some of the changing leaves looked pretty spectacular.

The black cloud seemed to have settled over me. It was sunny out but I was getting rained on. Luckily, I am walking under trees which kept most of the rain off. Finally, the rain stops and as I get to my turn around point the cloud past, skies clear and it's sunny! Curious to see what the bfly situation will be on the way back.

The frits are out now -- most are no longer bright orange (faded) and are pretty battered. There are a couple of dark female Great Spangled Frits (they are so pretty). The sun also brings out a lot of Common White Checkered Skippers, a few Field Crescent and Mylitta Crescent, a Purplish Copper, and Weidemeyer's Admiral. Anywhere there were asters or yellow flowers, there are bflies.

As always with late summer, the flying grasshoppers appear. There is this wonderful light orange grasshopper.

When it flies, its black with a band of white/yellow -- looks like a Mourning Cloak (bfly) when it flies.

I'm coming up on the pond and there are lots of flowers at the pond. I can't wait to see what might be flying but a dark cloud covers the sun again. :( The normal summer mt afternoon storms are building and it is afternoon. The lack of sun minimizes the chances of seeing the bflies.

As I'm about 1/4 mile from the parking area, a couple drops of rain start falling. As I get about 1mi down the dirt road, it starts to rain. Back on pavement (5mi), its pouring and there are a few loud bangs on my car so I think it might be hailing. Almost to the expressway, yes, hailing! Pea-size pellets. The hwy underpass is filled with bikers, runners trying to stay out of the mess. I get on the hwy and within 100-200 yrds, I'm out of the hail and rain; and back in the sun. I couldn't have had better timing with the end of my hike.

Great day!

Aug 18 - Hummingbirds!

Haven't been out much the last few weeks, reason: moving, fixing 2 flat tires, fighting Comcast (over 2wks to get cable hooked up),.....

But on my 1st full day in my house, hummingbirds!!!!

Not sure which kind (maybe a female Broad-tailed) but I've seen 3!! Time to up out the 2nd feeder.

Aug 4 - Lambs Canyon

It's Lamb's Canyon day. I don't have time for a long hike today like I hoped but since I haven't been at Lamb's Canyon since July 4, time to go back and check things out.

Its a perfect day to hike there, a nice, cool 53 degrees about 8:45. Sun is out but hasn't made it over the mountain yet so its just a cool shady dark forest.

Its (sadly) getting late into summer and there are much less of the flowers I've been seeing (geraniums, lupine, etc). But there are new ones -- mostly yellow in color as its seems lots of late summer/fall flowers are yellow (like the goldenrod and there are a few here and just starting to bloom, and purple asters).

Last time I was here I found one monkshood plant; todays lots, some must be 7ft tall. They are mostly in bunches. The bees just crawl right under the hood and disappear for a bit before backing out and flying to another flower.

Those black-n-white moths that were so numerous last time and just wouldn't stop were everywhere! Three or more on a single plant - perhaps it was still too cool and shady for them to be flying.

(But perhaps they are at the end of their lives as they do look a little ragged.)

Fritillaries are flying a bout. Just a few so far.

The thimbleberries are about ready to eat - wish they were ready as if memory serves me correctly, they were delicious when I hiking on Isle Royale in MI as few years back.

I stop to look at a flower (and I don't even remember what it was at this point) and I hear a rustling in the brush. Definitely not the lizard or snake type rustling. I start looking around. I'm walking the side of a hill that drops into a little valley with a stream and then on the other side of the stream it goes back up a hill. The valley is filled with bushes, flowers, all types of green stuff. Its about 30-40 yrds across. On the other side, the brush is moving. I can't see what it was as the brush was too tall but my heart is pounding because its either deer or moose (maybe a black bear). Whatever it is, it's walking a path to be right across from me. And finally, a large brown head with antlers peers out (a moose!!!!). He must sense I'm there because he stops and looks across the valley towards me. We both are standing as still as can be. Finally he takes a few steps forward - I can see his whole head now!

He has a pretty decent rack of antlers -- with velvet. And he keeps looking my way. I'm ready to run like the wind if he charges. After about a 5 minute standstill, I decide its probably best I continue and leave him to his wanderings while he's still in a good mood. This is so cool -- I've seen a few female moose in the wild and the 3 up in Big Cottonwood canyon earlier this summer (but they were in a tourist zone) but this was a moose doing what moose do, in the wild -- so very cool!!!! My day is already made!

The baneberry has finally gone to berry -- red or white berries, dot the green forested landscape. Pretty impressive where there are areas with large concentrations of plants.

I'm interested to find what that petal-less coneflower I saw last time looks like now. But when I find them, they're still petal-less.

Very interesting. The bees sure love them. And they get pretty tall. In one section of trail, I walk thru a mini-forest of these towering coneflowers.

If my day couldn't get any better, I find a female Great Spangled Frit. She is so beautiful with her auburn and black color.

The GSF flies in the Midwest as well (actually they are one of my favorites from the 1st time I saw one at Spring Valley Nature Center) but the ones in the west are dark and bolder in color. Saw plenty of males. And the really cool thing, these look so different from all the other frit species out here -- I can actually confidently ID them :)

There's also a small orange bfly called a Purplish Copper (actually, only one of 3 other species I seen today that was not a frit).

I've always wanted to see a fir tree's pine cone (the cone actually disintegrates which is unlike other cones - so the timing has to be right to see them) and today was the day as there were a few laying on the trail near the top.

Near the top, there are some pinkish paintbrush still blooming and they are mixed with the baneberries which looks really pretty.

The top had a clear view of the city below (no haze) -- and the lupine, mints, etc blooming. Quite a few male GSF flying up here.

On the way down, it was sunnier and just tons of frits flying. I was just looking for something other than a frit and I finally found one in the "Utah All White" or Margined White -- just a solid white bfly. Saw about 5 total.

Then a little bfly caught my eye but I had to get close enough and maneuver around plants to see it...a Colorado Hairstreak! I've seen this bfly once; on a bfly trip to the White Mts in AZ. It was dusk, we stopped along side of a road in an oak forest. These bflies love to land in the tops of oak trees and our job, if we wanted to see one, was to throw rocks into the tree tops (and shake smaller trees). All while trying to avoid hitting each other with rocks, getting hit by cars AND trying to keep track of any bflies we managed to scare out. It was actually quite fun (and I'm sure our guide was sitting back and laughing at us). But we did see one, about 30ft up a tree -- definitely, not a great look. And now I have sight of this beautiful grey butterfly w/ light blue border that when it opens is a stunning purple! And its 1/2 way open!!! Yea!!

And get a bit further down the trail and to my right on the downside of the hill near the stream were at least 3 Colorado Hairstreaks. I could barely see them as they were partially blocked by leaves/stems. One is full out open (I can see the purple) but unfortunately its facing the sun (the opposite side). One (with wings closed) finally comes out and walks up and down a stem so I do get a good view. Exciting!

I finish the trail and check the mud puddles near the parking. This is usually filled with bflies but today, only a very beaten CO Hairstreak. I check behind the toilet (lots of flowers behind it), no bflies. Yes, bfly season is past its peak :(

But it was an AMAZING day!