May 28 - Cardiff Mine (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 Sunny day with highs in the low 80s.

Heading up BCC to hike up to the Cardiff Mine. I'm expecting snow but after the meadow. Oh, maybe in the meadow to in the Avalanche chutes I saw the last time I went up a few weeks ago.

I arrive at the roadside parking just before 8am.

I'm surprised that I'm the only car in the lot! But gear up (it's in the 40s) and start up the road.

At one point a bunny hops across the road ahead of me. I get a glimpse of him in the brush; he's dark brown with white fluffy feet.

I reach the gravel road and see a deer cross the road ahead of me. She stops on the side of the road briefly before disappearing.

I reach the bridge and the water is flowing stronger but still week relatively to prior years.

Up the "trail" I go. It's clear now - just a few small still snow covered spots. The snow along the creek is all gone as well.

I'm most of the way to the meadow and still in the woods when a moose crosses the road just in front of me and heads down a "private" road. I get there quickly but can't find the moose. I continue looking for that moose. 20-30 farther, there he is heading up the creek bed!! 

He doesn't look like he's moving fast but he is, I'm 1/2 jogging to keep up. 

I lose him again but when I get a better view of the creek below, I find him again. 

The winter shed is all over and quite frankly, he looks a little bald - must be waiting for the summer fur to come in.

He continues to move up the creek and he knows I'm following him as he turns to look in my direction a couple of times.


I eventually lose him as I lose my view of the creek. Way cool!

About at the same time, I reach the avalanche area. Still feet of snow. The residents up here have quite a mess to clean up to get to their properties.

I continue thru the 1st meadow and to the 2nd one. Along the way, I see a Juba Skipper!

Before I know, I've reach the mine tailing pile. It still has snow on the north side.

The "coppery" water is low and I pass along the edge.

And sadly, the snow melt creek is no where to be seen. :( It usually blocks my path forward as I've been unwilling to cross the 15-20 ft 6+ inches of fast moving snow melt. But because of the extreme drought and a below average snow pack, it doesn't even exist. It's a happy and sad moment at the same time.

For today, I can continue with dry feet and finally see the mine with snowy mountains in the, I  background!

It's back to uphill and all snow now.

Soon I finally see the mine and the snowy mountains - so beautiful!!

I walk towards the mine but stop before a "would-be" creek crossing.

I backtrack to take the upper path. I haven't been on the path in years. I'm just hoping for a better view of the mine. But after a bit of uphill, I get the view but it's now very good.

I can continue on but there's too much snow, time to head back. I'm going back towards the mine.

And then I take a break on a rock near the mine.

Time to head back.

On the way back, I see more Juba Skippers, a few Spring Azures, a couple of Hoary Commas and several Mustard Whites.

Awesome day!

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