June 16 - Alta Summer Road

 Sunny day with highs in the low 80s. That's right, 80 degrees. The heat wave is over for a few days!

Heading up to walk the Alta Summer Road again this week-end. Interested in seeing the different in snow levels after a week of 90 degree temps.

Quiet drive. The creek is absolutely raging. And this week they finally closed the White/Red Pine trail due to high water levels and a broken bridge. Took them while but after a couple of deaths and several rescues in the last week with people going into raging rivers, I think the Forest Service took a stand, finally. How much would I bet the trailhead will still be packed today when pass by.

As I pass, it appears the parking lot is about 1/3 full far less than last week so people appear to be following instructions.

It's 43 degrees when I park my car. Lots of snow on the mountains has melted since last week. It's so noticeable. Appears that some ski runs are still snowable. See it I see anymore.

I start up the road. Much cooler than last week. The streams on the side of the road is not flowing as fast as last week but still flowing. There are still piles of snow in the forest though and the small "waterfalls" are still flowing just not as many.

Quiet walk and guess what, I meet my now friend the Porcupine on that 2nd switchback like last week! He's walking on the left side of the road in my direction. 

I think he's scent marking as he stop a plant/willow, grabs it and rubs it and then keeps going. He does this several times as he continues to walk in my direction. There's a big pine tree across from me. When he reaches it, he climbs it some he's about 2-3 off the ground and stops and just seems to "hug" the tree. Then he climbs down and continues down the road eventually crossing over to my side and disappearing as he climbs up the hillside. Note the tree appears a little "wet" where he was.

So cool!

I continue to make my way, reaching the 3rd switchback. 

About 1/2 up, I see a few Marmot in the middle of the road ahead of me. When I reach the area, they are gone.

But farther up, I have a few single Marmot sightings.

I reach the trail head and I could actually walk a bit of the Catherines Pass trail as there is clear and snowy parts of the initial trail. But not happening today.

I walk over to the parking lot and it looks like I can make it up to Cecret Lake via the ski trek road but not today. The lower trail even looks clear once you get over the initial snowy park near the Alta lot where I parked. Looking good.

I wander a bit before taking a brief break on a log.

Time to head down. Passing Marmot along the way.

And I find a moose print on the road. It's "recent" as I covers "people prints".

Did I just miss a moose? I keep scanning on the way down but do not find any. :(

On my drive past Alta I do find people skiing up a run.

And White/Red Pine parking is full but not nearly as full as last week. I guess some people do obey closures (and others not).

Awesome day!

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