Oct 20 - Alta Summer Road (LCC)

Sunny and in the mid-60s today.

From the snowstorm the other day, Alta reported 8 inches - not where near the 16 predicted but still a good amount of snow.

Thought about heading up to Twin Lakes but I want something easier, different and one I can really check out the snow situation - I believe a lot of it melted yesterday. So today I'm hiking the Alta Summer Road. The road is closed for the season because of the storm so it's a safe easy hike.

Driving up LCC, there really isn't much snow except on the highest peaks. And I'm surprised by that but I'm liking it. (Guess I won't need the one YakTrak that I brought.)

The peaks look great though.

Still a fair amount of yellow color around the Red Pine but bare higher up.

I'm the 2nd car near the gate as I pull in around 8:30. It's 43 degrees; I have a fleece and light winter coat. I stuff the fleece in the backpack and leave with the light winter.

I think I can lose the light winter as I head up the 1st switchback but still I'm in the shade, I'll keep it on but unzipped.

I meet 2 guys who are completed their hiking somewhere the peaks as they are coming off a trail.

The summer is quiet. I find a few asters but the flowers are all but gone.

The views are awesome both down canyon 

and up canyon.

Scanning for critter but finding none - not even a Marmot.

I reach the parking lot and the sun!! Feels so good. I just roam around checking out the views. 


(Note: the trail below is pretty much clear - very good to know!)

I take a break in the sun before starting my trek down hill.

Meet about 10 people heading up.

Good day!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Aug 23 - Silver Lake (BCC)

Image
 Sunny day with highs near 90s. No hikes today; just a simple walk around Silver Lake due to having stitches in my knee. They say I can hike but wanted to do an easy test run first. Left around 6:30. Saw a lone deer on the side of the road on the way up. Arrived at the parking lot and it was around 58 degrees and still in the shade. Not many cars or people around today. Started my trip around the lake counter-clockwise. No moose to be seen as of yet. Not really much happening. Stop to watch 3 ducks next to the footbridge. Stop at the pier for a look-see. Stopped at the dock on the other side (perhaps for the 1st time since they rebuilt it). And crossed the wetland with yellow monkeyflowers in bloom. But the trail is then closed. Unfortunately they've still not finished this 2 or maybe 3 year project. I do spot a shorebird. I was excited but it flew as quickly as it landed in front of me. Beavers unfortunately absent. They've been very visible the last 2 years but they were rebu...
Read more

May 11 - Lambs Canyon

Image
 Partly sunny with temps around 60 degrees as I start up Lambs Canyon. Hoping for  good butterfly day after the foot+ of snow over the week-end; lots of wet spots for puddling. The start of the walk was sunny but as I got higher (and to the muddy spots), I fell under a cloud (boo). I did see Painted Lady, Rocky Duskywing, Mourning Cloak, Anise Swallowtail, Satyr Comma, and Spring Azure and a White that was not an Orangetip; perhaps a Large Marble. Also a moth I did see a blooming Arrowleaf Balsamroot  in addition to the Forget-me-knots and Virginia Waterleaf And 2 squirrels. I was going to loiter at the trail head but there were two locals there working on a truck and I didn't want to look like I was waiting to pillage their cars so I started down and back into the sun. Still a good day.
Read more

June 14 - Lambs Canyon

Image
Another sunny day with temps in the mid-90s. Heading to Lambs Canyon to hike to the top today for this 1st time this year. Near 70s when I leave Salt Lake. There's a lot of clouds around so that will keep things cooler at least at the beginning. I arrive and surprised to find 2 cars already in the lot. I gear up and start up the trail. Arnica, Solomon's Seal, Bluebells, Strawberries, Violets, Mitrewort and Geraniums in bloom. The Thimbleberry are budding and there are some in bloom. It's a beautiful morning! Upper switchbacks have Larkspur in bloom. Along the way in the shade I find a Western Tailed Blue waiting for the morning sun. Surprise find: Baneberry in bloom!! The entry into the meadow is far less muddy than last time. I continue pass and cross to the other side of the canyon.  Soon I cross again finding Spring Beauties in bloom. I get a little ways but feel like a bathroom stop is needed. Do I believe or not? I decide to head down and it was the correct decision ma...
Read more