Aug 25 - Willow Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 Sunny day near 90s -- sounds like time for an afternoon hike. Heading up to hike the Willow Lake loop. It's been quite a while since I've been there - it's a good time.

I arrive around 3:30 and there's only 1 other car there.

I gear up and start up the trail. As expected, most of the flowers are spent but there are Asters hanging around in good numbers.

Lots of grasshoppers hopping around and quite a few Mustard Whites. They fade out as I get higher in elevation.

Quiet hike and before I know it, I'm at the meadow.

Of course, the Spring pond is long dried up but there are Goldenrods in bloom nearby.

I don't see any ground squirrels (nor do I hear them).

I make my way thru the Aspens to Willow Lake and I'm surprised by the amount of water still in the lake - more than I've seen for late August. Confusing year with the extreme drought but some of the lakes are still in good shape.

There are some deer tracks in the mud along with ducks tracks too.

There are several ducks (Mallards) all taking a nap a few feet from me.

I head around to the other side of the lake 

and then around thru the woods and back to pretty much where I started.

I stop to watch a noisy bird of prey circling above.


Time to head down.

On the way down, there are more yellow composites and a few Paintbrush. A Scarlet Gilia


Oh, and a couple of Woodland Skippers.

Good hike!

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