Sept 12 - Catherine's Pass (Camping Albion Basin)

 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 camping so I don't expect it to be crowded; fingers crossed.

I drove to my campsite #16; the same as last year - right by the trail. Happiness!

I set up camp on the high site - in clear view of everyone. Not my ideal, like the one my the firepit and brush but it looks like rain and I need to be high and reduce the potential downhill water flow.

Once setup, it's just after 4pm (perfect) and I gear up and start my way up that trail towards Catherine's Pass.

Vegetation is pretty much dried up except for some Purples Asters, Yarrow, a stray Paintbrush and Geranium, and some yellow composites and this guy. 

Sad in a way because this is the 1st year I missed the peak season -- just can't handle the $10 charge.

I'm racing some ugly rain clouds at this point but I have a raincoat so I'm at least making it to the Pass.

To the East, it's still blue sky so there's some promise.

I see a Flicker along the way.

Only a few people heading down at this point - guess everyone might be watching those clouds.

This hike is somehow more difficult today - heart's beating very fast. Not sure why but altitude can do funny things.

I arrive at a very Fall like meadow. And then up a few switchbacks checking out the view towards the campground.

I make it to the Pass and it's gorgeous especially with the blue sky and storm clouds. I take a break to assess my options because it does look like its clearing.

After a bit, I decide to head up to Sunset Pass and then complete the loop.

On the way up, I stop at my favorite viewpoint overlooking Catherine's Lake and Lake Mary (in the distance). Fantastic as always! 

A young guy (BYU) stops there as well - he's never been up this trail before and he's loving the views - awesome!

Then it's up to Sunset Pass and the view east towards Heber and Mt Timp.

Then it's over to Devil's Castle enjoying the views along the way 

including this flowers.

Hey, I can actually see Cecret Lake today!

Once at the Supreme Lift, it's time to head down along Devils Castle back to the campground.

Surprisingly, I see a Skipper (Juba) 

and a very beaten Frit! (Tough guy!)

Good, tiring hike.

At camp I just enjoy sounds of the small creek flowing near my camp, the birds and the sunset. The moon is awesome with it's one faint star beneath it. Oh, there's another star (only 2 in the sky at this point), a very bright one further west.

Fantastic day!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Oct 17 - Antelope Island Drive

Image
Sunny day with highs in the 60s. Heading up to Antelope Island to hike either the Sentry or Gravel Pit trails. I arrive just after 8am. There's more water in Farmington Bay from all the rain we've had recently. And there are still tons of birds. I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch.  There a scattered Bull bison near the Visitor's Center and the road up until the first corner by the rocks. On the downside of the 1st pull-out, I see a herd of Pronghorn. Hard to see because terrain. After the Frary Peak, I run into tons of scattered herd of bison - the family herds. They are really close to road. Can hear the chewing, ripping grass and grunting.  While waiting for one of the herds, a coyote runs across the road. I try to find him as I drive by but have no luck. I continue to pass by herds of bison all the way til about a mile from the Ranch. I arrive at the Ranch and yes, there are more bison around as there's another herd north of Mushroom Springs. Darn! I...
Read more

Nov 14 - Gravel Pit to Beacon Hill (Antelope Island)

Image
 Hazy sunshine day with highs in the 50s. I really should be heading into the mountains but I think a bit burned out there -- I just can't motivate myself to go up there. No worries,, I'll just head to Antelope Island. It's 45 degrees as I cross the causeway. The duck/shorebird population sure dropped from last week but there re still a good number of them remaining. When I reach the island, I turn south towards the Ranch. I see several bison around the Visitor's Center as normal. It isn't until I reach Beacon Hill/White Rock Ridge that I more critters -- Pronghorn, at least 20 of them. Then are moving north about mid-way up the mountain. Then it's past Frary Peak and continuing until I'm about 1.5 miles from the Ranch before I find the bison herd. A little spread out in smaller herds but there's a larger herd just crossing the road. There are Fall calves in the mix. Because of their location, I expecting to find more bison around the Sentry trail. Man a...
Read more

Sept 2 - Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook (Millcreek Canyon)

Image
Partly cloudy day with highs in the mid-80s. I take off after 2:30 arriving around 3pm. The canyon is shockingly empty - Rattlesnake Gulch, Grandeaur Peak  and Desolation Trail -- must be the Utes football opener at 5:30 tonight :) It's good for me as I part and start up the trail. As expected majority of the flowers are gone. But there are Aster, Yellow Composites and a few other yellow flowers in spots.  Vegetation is still very green though. I also find Solomon's Seal berries and Rose Hips. It's extremely quiet out - no birds, no chipmunks, no people talking -- it's awesome! Before I know, I'm at the viewpoint. Looks like rain is coming like they predicted. I stop for a bit and started back down. Good hike!
Read more