The 2021 Utah Adventure

 Sunny day with highs hitting 87 degrees in SLC. But the Antelope Island forecast tops out at 77. So for a "change of pace" day, I'm heading up Antelope Island to hike the Sentry Trail. When I reach the causeway, it's 53 degrees - perfect morning for a hike! As I cross the causeway, I'm surprised to find water closer to the island and in that water, tons of water birds. Looks like mostly Avocets but can't tell due to the low sun. I'll check them out on the way out. I reach the island and head directly towards the Ranch. Many bison behind the Visitor's Center; I suspect them to all be males as there are no smaller ones. Quiet on the island until I pass the White Rock ridge where I find a very small herd of Pronghorn. Afterwards, I start finding the family herds of bison - two or three of them on the way to the Ranch. I arrive and the Ranch and head to the Sentry Trail parking. I'm the only car there and it's 51 degrees. I gear up and start up th...

 Sunny day with a high of 80degrees. Had plans to hike Broads Fork today but my knee stiffened up from yesterdays hike so going with a shorted and less elevation hike - and a good standby. Colors are really starting to pop as I drive up the Canyon. There are small patches of bright color but still far from peak. I arrive at the Silver Lake parking and it's 36 degrees - lovely. I gear up and head out - boy am I hoping those Bull Moose have moved on since it's now rutting season - they should be chasing females not hanging out around Silver Lake. Fingers crossed. Boy, is the ground brown and the trees on the other side of the lake are in full color. The boardwalk is frosty and there a patch of water that is frozen -- one day closer to winter. I scan for moose and I don't see any but the walk to will tell. I reach the footbridge. The Fall colors are reflecting in the lake. I work my way to the trail head and yes, no moose! I make my way towards Lake Solitude. Along the way I s...

Sunny day (w/ some rain-like clouds over mountains) and temps in the low 70s. It's a great day for an after work hike - especially when I can leave at 2:30. I want to head into the mountains but it looks like rain so I'm heading to Millcreek Canyon to hike the Desolation Trail. I start just after 3pm. Not many folks on the trail as there's only a few cars in the lot. I start up the trail not expecting much w/ respect to flowers, insects or otherwise as it's Fall; the clock is ticking. However, along the way, I do find a few scattered flowers (Tall White Asters, Purple Asters and Yellow Composites...and maybe a few others). It's a quiet walk. I only meet 5 people all heading back to the trail head. It's also a shady walk - shadier than normal because is lower on the horizon. The exciting part of the hike is the Fall colors just beginning in Millcreek Canyon; will only get better in the new couple weeks. I reach overlook and a view of the Salt Lake valley. Hazy as...

Sunny day with highs near 87 degrees. Heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon this morning and I honestly don't know where I'm hiking. My plan, last night, was Broads Fork - I don't think that's happening. I'll just see where I land. But it's in the 50 this morning and will be colder the higher I go. Canyon is turning Fall colors now -- should be interesting with the drought. When I reach the Broads Fork I drive past, I think I'm just hiking Twin Lakes again. Then I catch up to 2 cars going 30 when it's 45. When I reach Mill D South, I make the turn; I guess I'm hiking to the Cardiff Mine! (And since the gate is open, I can hike directly from the trail head and not have to walk to it - yea!) The trail is totally in the shade when I start around 8:30 or so. There's still some water flowing in the stream near the trail head - but not much. I start the uphill towards the meadow in the shade and quietness. Two ladies coming up behind me are breaking that si...

 Crazy night! The wind was howling up until around 2pm. It must have been whipping around at the top of this glacier bowl because most of the time, there was no wind at camp. Then, at times, there'd be a light and then a relatively strong wind. Crazy and noisy! Not much sleeping for me until it finally quieted down. But the sky was filled with stars - quite, beautiful! Started out from camp after 7am - yes, still early. It's 43 degrees but really not cold. I start off with my light winter jacket but quickly stuff it away as I make my way to Cecret Lake.  I think the lake may be my destination today. My plan was the lake and then up to Germania Pass - I haven't been there yet this year - but my legs are dead. :( But we'll see, maybe I'll get an energy boost by the time I arrive. Trail has bird, squirrel and chipmunks activity this morning. Patches of Purple Asters, Yarrow and some yellow composites are around. Nice to watch the sun lighten up the peaks. Soon I'm ...

 Beautiful day in the mid-80s. No hiking for me this morning, though I was dressed and ready to go. I instead waited because today, I have a reservation at the Albion Basin campground; I guess one can say it's an annual event now (year #2). I can check-in at 2pm but wait until around 2:15 to leave; I really don't want to start hiking until 4pm so maybe I can catch some shade behind the mountains. The drive up Little Cottonwood was smooth sailing. Lots of folks coming down just as I hoped. It was all good until I reach the White/Red Pine parking lot (which happens to be just before Snowbird) when traffic went to a standstill. Shoot! Snowbird's Octoberfest! Ugh! Took quite a while to get past the 2 entrances to Snowbird. Lots of people heading in and saying "Poo!" to Covid - good for them. After the 2nd entrance, it was smooth sailing again. I didn't even have a wait at the Albion Basin gate; gave them my site number and drove thru. It's the last day of camp...