Sept 7 - Catherines Pass and beyond (LCC)

 Sunny day and 88 degrees in the valley but where I'm heading after work is only in the upper 60s - AWESOME! Yes, the 4th annual Albion Basin Camping trip. Well, it'll be only the 3rd time I've gone. Last year is was over 100 degrees so I took a Pass. But today is absolutely perfect!

I leave work at 2pm, make quick trip to Walmart for a new lamp; I left the batteries in the old one and they have gone to acid - yuk!

Then it's home to pack, Subway for an early (3:30)  supper and off to my campsite #16 for the 3rd time. Love that site because it's right next to the trail from the campground to the Catherine's Pass.

I arrive around 4:30 and get my tent setup, I change and start my hike.

Still plenty of flowers around but they fading. I'm seeing Paintbrush, Asters, Geraniums etc.

I'm also seeing butterflies: Blues, Parnassian, Milbert's Tortoiseshell and Frits. I'm a little surprised because it's so late in the day.

Oh, and bees too!

It's a beautiful walk 

and soon I meet up with the Catherine's Pass Trail. And happily, it look like just me. :)

I make my up the first little hill and then the bigger hill and I reach the meadow. 

No moose or deer - no surprise - but still very nice to see again.

Then it's up the next hill 

before reaching the Pass. It's all mine! 

Much different than the normal morning view I usually see.

After a quick break, I start up the last hill to Sunset Pass. Taking my time as my hearting is pounding. There are plenty of short stops along the way. One stop is for a Clark's Jay pounding his beak into a tree and actually getting some food.

There's another stop for my favorite view.

And the final stop is at the Pass! Heber City and the Reservoir is s clear today!

Mt Timp is also out there in the distance.

Happy to be done climbing for the day, I start across the ridgeline enjoying the views and the steep drops.

And I reach the other side and get a view of Devils Castle and tons of Paintbrush and a good share of Lupine!

There's lady sitting in the Red Paintbrush; I'm sure taking photos.

It's chilly up here; wish I brought a jacket but I'm sure it'll get better once I'm off the ridge.

Passing the ski lift, I start downhill. I'm scanning for deer, moose, Mt goat along the way and then shining in the sunlight, I spot a buck!

He quickly drops out of sight into a gully.

Farther down the trail, I look to my left in the trees and see another buck looking at me. These guys better start hiding a bit better as hunting season is about to start (if it hasn't already).

Continued lovely views...

Nice!

Then it's down to the hill to the campground and "home".

Good day!

Sept 8 - The plan was to hike up to Germania Pass this morning BUT I forgot breakfast, Oops! All is good.