The 2022 Utah Adventure

 Sunny day with temps near 80 degrees today. When I leave my house just after 7am, the temp is in the mid-50s. Will be in the 30s at Silver Lake but that fine as I have my light winter coat and gloves; I'm prepared and actually looking forward to that 1st hoar frost. I got a report that 1/2 the Silver Lake parking and the right side of the trail to the footbridge will be closed starting 9/23; they are rebuilding it.  Well, it's 9/25 and it's still open - yea! There some construction containers present so I'm thinking the  work will being tomorrow (Monday). But for now, I start up the trail in my normal counter-clockwise direction. It's in the 30s and there's a light frost on the boardwalk and some puddles next to the boardwalk are frozen. Not cold enough for the hoar frost yet. No moose around as far as I can see. And the aspens are starting to change in spots. There are a few Mallards on the lake. And a few Asters still hanging on around the lake. I reach the t...

After leaving Pass Lake parking lot, I start towards Ruth Lake and decide to just go to Mirror Lake. I like Ruth Lake with ice on it and that's not happening today. I arrive at Mirror Lake and start around the lake. The flowers here are all gone except the Yarrow which are hanging on. Mirror Lake, because of the wind, is not a mirror today but it's still pretty. There are a few folks out in canoes and a few folks along the shore fishing. On my way around the lake (which by the way was so tough to get around because my legs were so dead and I was hungry), I saw: a Darner dragonfly a Clouded Sulphur and a Hoary Comma. The butterflies were definitely a huge surprise. Oh yea, and there were some chipmunks running around. The view of Bald Mt and Reids Peak were awesome as usual. And heading out of the parking lot, I see a Mourning Cloak. (And another a bit farther down the road.) And yes, the colors are changing. There are pockets of orange/reds all the way thru Park City. Awesome! ...

 Sunny day with highs near 90 degrees in the  valley. I'm heading to the Uintas to hike up to Lofty Lake where it'll be sunny with a high of 60. And it'll be my first hike up there this year. Yes, I'm behind; missed the whole butterfly/wild flower season. But, I'm making it now; so that's good. Along the drive, I spot 3 deer running across a meadow just after passing thru Kamas. Then there's driving thru a scattered herd of cattle; no quick stops required. And I see a lone deer along the way as well. I arrive around 8:30. There are a couple of cars in the lot. It's upper 40s with a strong wind. Perfect other than the wind. :) Three ladies and their dog start up the trail before me. I give them 5-10 minutes so I don't have to hear them talk. I do hear them for a little while but their voice soon vanish. Yea! Flowers are gone here except the Yarrows seem to be hanging though a lot of them are dead. I do find a couple of Asters and a Heartleafed Arnica ...

 Sunny day with temps around 87 degrees. Since the temps are in the mid-50s this morning, I'm heading up to Antelope Island. As always, looking to hike Sentry Trail and as always, it's dependent on the location of the bison herd. I arrive about 7:45. Seems a bit wet; I guess they got more rain up here than the drizzles in SLC. I reach the island and head down towards the Ranch. This morning there are 4-5 bison below the road just before the fence. And 3 more just past the Gravel Pit road. Otherwise, it's quiet until Beacon Hill mountain comes into view. There are 3 dark spots on the hillside. Hmmm, it is something or not. I decide at the last second to stop and yea! It's 3 deer! First deer I've seen in over 1.5 years; they're still here! Definitely 2 buck but the 3rd it's hard to tell but one of photos kinda looks like a smaller buck. And hey, it's probably a buck as I can see a doe browsing with 2 buck. Moving on, just past Frary Peak I see a lone Prong...

 Had on and off rain the last few days. Thankfully, the rain has cleared out this morning (at least in the valley). Deciding between Dog Lake and Twin Lakes Loop this morning. The chance of seeing critters win so I'm off to Silver Lake. On the way up at the Mill D South parking area, I drive past a cow moose in the meadow - love it! I arrive at Silver Lake expecting a full parking. It's 47 degrees and about 8:15 and the parking lot is pretty empty. Either the photographers have left because there are no moose or they just never came this morning. I know last year, the moose were around for several weeks and then disappeared. I  presume this is because the rut had started and they all scattered. But I like the emptiness! I start around the lake to the trail head. Lots of big puddles on the trail this morning. I reach the trail head and start up toward Lake Solitude.  Very few Asters in bloom. Quiet walk. Really wasn't expecting to see anything because I past 2 women coming...

 Sunny day with temps near 90 degrees (before the rain comes Tues-Thurs - hopefully) Heading to hike Cecret Lake then up to Germania & Sugarloaf Passes. I haven't done this hike in 3-4 years now so I'm pretty excited. I arrive around 8am. The sun is still coming up over the mountains and it's 49 degrees. There's no one around as I start up the trail towards Cecret Lake. Majority of the flowers are gone. Lots of Yarrow though and pockets of Purple Aster. After a bit I get my first views of Devil's Castle -- always nice to see close-up. The full moon is barely above the peaks. And soon, Sugarloaf Peak is in view shining in the morning sun. On the switchbacks, there are barely any flowers left in bloom. I'm hoping for a moose at the lake but no luck. :( Cecret Lake is very low - I wasn't expecting that but I should have because it's a dammed lake and they've open the dam on Twins Lake so not surprisingly they did the same here. It's still beauti...