Sept 3 Dog Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Big thunderstorms last and I'm looking forward to a wet trail this morning. Heading up Big Cottonwood to hike to Dog Lake. Haven't been there for a couple of years so it's more than time to get up there.

I arrive before 8am. As I just start up the trail from parking, I spot a lone doe in the trees. That's a nice start!

Trail is definitely wet but not slick (and that's great!)

Still plenty of asters in bloom (in spots) and even less common are the yellow composites.

There are a few berries (white and blue) and still lots of green around.

Oh, I can't forget the mushrooms!

Robins and this bird are flying around this morning. But the trail is still in the shade so not much else activity yet.

Keeping my eye out for moose -- see if I get lucky.

I don't see a moose but I do find a pretty fresh hoof print. I scan around but nothing. :(

I finally reach the trail intersection - go right to Desolation Lake, go left to Dog Lake. I'm heading left.

I usually don't look forward to this section - it's 0.5 miles and 500 ft up a rutted gully. Not fun! But I've heard they're re-routed the trail with a few switchbacks. I start up and it's so nice!

Before long I reach Dog Lake and yes, there's still plenty of water!!

And Darner dragonflies! (No ducks today.)

I don't have the lake to myself as there are 2 guys w/ dogs on the other side.

I start making my way around in the clockwise direction stopping briefly on the other side to watch the dragonflies.

Time to start back.

About 1/2 way back, a guy going the other directions tells me there is a big bull moose about a 1/4 miles on the left. Boy, am I ready! Maybe this is the guy that goes with the track I saw earlier (maybe).

I move carefully looking left. I'm thinking he's far off the trail but wow! He's only 10-15ft off the trail munching down his greens. (That's moose 13 or 14 this year -- I need to figure out the count.)

I approach slowly looking for any reaction - but nothing (thankfully). 

I then run past him but again no response, so I go back for some closer photos. 

As soon as I pass him, there is a guy coming up the trail. I stop to warn him about the moose. He thanks me and move up the trail, then I hear him start whistling -- guess this warns the moose of his presence?!

There's a lady just behind him and I warn her as well.

Then it's a quiet trip back to my car.

Great day!

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