Utah Adventure 2023

 Sunny morning BUT it's coooold. 29 degrees when I leave my house just before 8am. Sun has risen 15 minutes ago but it going to be awhile before it makes it over the mountains. I'm heading up BCC this morning to hike Willow Lake (Lake Solitude if there's too much so on the side of the road; we had 9 inches of snow earlier this week). Snow is pretty much up on the peaks until after Mill D. But there's not much on the ground and the roadsides are clear. So when I roll up on Willow Lake parking, it's a go!! It's 14 degrees in the shade - brrrr!. I gear up and start up the trail. (I don't know if I need them, but I have my microspikes on.) Darn it, as soon as I exit my car, another car pulls-up; sure hope that go the other direction. There's just a light dusting of snow on the trail (micro-spikes definitely overkill at this point but you never know).  The Aspens are bare - naked trees -- but the visibility is awesome (including the moon)! I can hear that the

Well by the time I get back to the parking lot, the low clouds are gone and it's a beautiful day to hike the 1 mile to Timpanogos Falls. I hike the trail thru the forest, cross the bridge and start up the trail. And I'm going to say Wow! Hard to believe it will get better as I get closer! I quickly get stopped by a Satyr Comma. Then it's just hiking up to the Falls. There are still some purple asters along the trail but it's mostly dried seed heads. Finally, I see the Falls! Not much farther. But the trail gets a bit steeper but I'm just here to enjoy myself. And here's the Falls! Incredible! After a brief break, it's time to head back. I don't get far because the view it incredible! Awesome day!

Sunny day with highs near 70s. Heading south to Aspen Grove to hike Stewart Falls and Timpanogos Falls. I've been to Stewart Falls before in the Spring a few years back. Looking for hiking in the Fall with the Fall colors still holding on; I hope. I take the trip by going thru Park City and then south to Heber. And the colors are still good; past peak but still good. The drive past the reservoirs; they are so flat. I really should stop but I don't. As I drive up the road to Aspen Grove, the colors are incredible! I start up the trail to Stewart Falls stopping for an awesome view of Mt Timp. I get up a little way but am stopped a large tree crossing the trail. I can tell it's been there for quite a while as all the bark has been removed; it's so smooth. I can't go under it but even for me going over is a bit of a problem. I think about just trying back but with a little thinking, I do get over it without maiming myself :) On ward thru the pine forest and then into th

 Sunny day with highs near 70. Cool morning with temps in the 40s. Heading up to walk the Alta Summer. Yea, not really exciting but who knows what I might see except for the snowy mountains from 9" on snow last week. Colors are still holding pretty good as I drive up the canyon - I'm a bit surprised but happy. The summer road is closed for the year after the 9" of snow so it'll be a quiet walk. When I arrive Devils Castle is just coming into the sun light - awesome! Much of the snow has melted from the road/ground; basically anything in the sunlight. The resorts/houses on the south side of the canyon still have snow. As I go around the gate, I see a very fresh pile of moose scat. I look around and do not see any moose but I have my eyes open on the walk. Just a quiet walk. The flowers are all gone but there are a few straggler - I saw one purple aster. The views, when the come out, are incredible!! There's a viewpoint on the final switchback so I follow the trail

 Rainy days are gone and today is sunny w/ highs in the 60s. Mountains got around 9in of snow -- Woot! Woot! So not heading up there today; heading, instead to Antelope Island for the first time since April. I'm excited! Reach the Island and so surprised that after a full summer, there's still water on both sides of the causeway! It's incredible to see! There are a good number of shorebirds, mostly Gulls and Avocets, but no where like Spring. I would think the Fall migration is pretty much wound up. I reach the Island and head south towards the Ranch passing a small group of bison at the gate. And thing to note, it is so green on the Island! It really looks like Spring w/o the flowers (and the bugs). Why is it so green? But I like it!! I was thinking about doing the Gravel Pit Trail but that's definitely out because there's a big herd of bison along the ridgeline. They will probably be in my way. I'm also wondering, it's time for the yearly round-up; did tha

Sunny day with highs in the upper 60s. But it's a chilly morning with temps in the 40s. Heading up to Twin Lakes today. We had 2 days of snow this week (Mon/Tues) so it's time to check it out. I'm also curious about the Fall colors. They were peaking last week-end but with the snow/rain, I'm wondering how much is left. On the way up the canyon, the color question is quickly answered. Although not a "full" as last week-end, the colors are still incredible! I arrive after 8am with temps in the mid-30s and a frosty boardwalk. Beautiful snowy peaks and bright colored trees - can't beat it! I work my way to the trail and start my way to Lake Solitude. I quickly meet a guy coming the direction and I figure the critters are gone. :( But as I near the steps, I hear branches cracking. I stop and search - hey there's a cow Moose! She's heading in my direction and then stops to look at me. She's really not that far away from me. Then she takes a step in m

 Rainy morning with temps in the 50s. Weather says it's suppose to clear by 7am (including in the mountains) so just before 7am I head off into the mountains in search of snow. Periodic drizzle as I head up BCC. Pretty much on my own - I love it. It's dark as I start up but as I get higher, it's getting lighter outside and the Fall colors look absolutely fantastic! Though in bright sunshine I'm not sure there's will be words to describes because all the trees look like they are at peak - yellows, oranges, red!! I reach Silver Lake, the temps are in the mid-30s, it's cloudy and it's drizzly. I put on my rain coat and start out. Oh, there's nobody here. My plan is just to head to Lake Solitude today - my legs are dead. I start around the boardwalk. There's a light layer of ice on it. And a light coat of snow on the mountain - less than last week-end. Looking for moose and not finding any. I continue around the lake enjoying the views. Time to start up