The 2021 Utah Adventure

 Partly sunny day with highs in the mid-90s. After a couple of hours of work, I'm heading up BCC my way to Silver Lake.  Shrubs are already changing and some of the trees are also starting to turn. It's starting to look more like Fall every day. I find a few deer hanging out in the meadow near the parking of Mill D South. And more in the meadow just west of the Solitude Resort. I arrive at Silver Lake before 7:30am and start around to the trail head. Lots of browning of the grasses and shrubs here as well - obviously. I'm about 1/2 down the west side of the lake when I see 2 people talking -- yes, about a moose. They tell me it's just ahead and in the trees. We walk together and yes, I see him. He's pretty hidden but definitely there. They say there's 3 more around the corner and more somewhere off-trail. Incredible the numbers this year! As I reach the corner, there's one moose in the trees  and another on the trail to Twin Lake. Shoot, there goes my hike! ...

 It's Labor Day! Canyons will be packed but I get an early start and head up to Silver Lake and ultimately Twin Lakes. Temps are in the mid-50s when I leave on a sunny morning that is heading into the low 90s. I reach Silver Lake and more than 1/2 the parking is already filled. I gear up and start along the boardwalk where there are Beaver tracks to follow - but no Beaver to be seen. As I near the corner (where my trail branches off) there are a couple of people stopped -- there's a Bull moose along the trail. All movement is stopped. He eating and slowly moves onto the trail. I hoping he heads left or right to open the trail but he takes a couple of steps towards us. And we backtrack quickly. But he only takes a couple of steps and decides to start eating the forest to his left. Cool but he's still blocking the trail. Eventually, he moves into the trees - not visible but he is clearly there but the sounds of things.  An older gentlemen moves forward and I follow at a littl...

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...

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!

Sunny day with highs in the around 90 degrees today. But its a cool smoky morning and in the low 40s when I arrive at Silver Lake just after 7am. I gear up and start around the lake to the trailhead. As I cross the footbridge, there are a couple of Mallards enjoying the morning. I continue on and as I round a corner I see a group of men with cameras pointing to the right side of the trail. There most be a moose! As I get closer, I see one bull right by the side of the trail munching on the saplings  and one a little more in the distance doing the same thing. Very cool! One of the guys indicates 2 bulls and a cow laying next to the trail. I don't see her yet. I gradually work my way up the trail, getting a glimpse of the female.  But as I get closer to the one bull, she comes into view. Now I'm behind the big male watching him eat. When he turns and take a step towards the trail, it's my time to move along quickly. :) I continue on passing a big pile of fresh moose pile befo...

 Sunny day with  high near 85 today. Heading out to hike Lambs Canyon today - maybe I'll see that Mom/calf I saw last time :) I arrive before 9:30. There are 2 cars there and one of those car's two owners are still in the lot. I gear up and start up the trail before the couple does and up I go. It's a pretty wet trail - I'm surprised we haven't had rain in the valley in a week. But there were clouds building, maybe that's where the rain came from. Regardless, it's great to see!! Plants are pretty much done. There are still Asters and yellow composites in bloom and a stray Geranium or Paintbrush here and there. I do find a few scattered ripe Thimbleberries but they are out of my reach.  And of course, the Baneberry have both white  and red berries. Near the top, I find a few mushrooms. Lots of squirrels/chipmunks running around and making noise this morning as they get ready for winter. I do find what looks like fresh moose tracks moving up the trail in spots...

 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...