Oct 1 - Desolation Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 It's time for the annual trek up to Desolation Lake today to check out the Fall color. I know the colors are popping in the canyon, just hoping they're still at the lake (2000ft higher than the canyon).

It's a nippy one this morning (40s) but the sun is coming out today to warm things up.

I arrive at the trail head just after 8am. It's 34 degrees when I start and there's frost on the leaves/ground where the sun has not hit yet.

There is color all around me except it's still in the shade as I start up the trail for 3.5 miles before reaching the lake.

Just a few Asters and Yellow Composites along the way.

It's quiet and crisp but I cruise along and before long I'm at the split for Dog Lake. I continue towards Desolation Lake thru the yellow aspen and some meadows. 

In the final meadow, there was ice crystals on the ground.

Another 1.9 miles or so, I reach the clearing before the lake. I'm a bit disappointed because all the aspen are naked (except for a few) :(

But I head down to the lake for a view - and capture those couple of yellow aspens.

I usually walk around the lake but there are several people resting so I continue another 1/2 mile up to the ridge - I'm hoping there's color on the other side of the ridge.

I reach the ridge and start across trying to get a good view of the lake and the Fall colors -- there.

Then I step up to the ridge to look down on the other side - Yea! Color!

I take a seat to rest and enjoy the view.

After bit, it's time to head down.

It's fully sunny now and the Fall colors are vibrant to see and walk thru.

Surprisingly a lot of people traffic on the way down -- guess everyone is out enjoying Fall.

But I just head down enjoying the views.


Incredible day!

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