Lovely Lake Catherine

View of Lake Catherine from Catherine's Pass

Lovely, lovely Lake Catherine!  The hike to Catherine's Pass and on down to Lake Catherine from Albion Basin is one of my all time favorite hikes.  This is one of the best hiking experiences we have in our Wasatch Mountains (my opinion of course) especially during peak wildflower season from mid or late July through mid August.  The main trail to Lake Catherine begins from the parking area at the top of Albion Basin Road just before you reach the Albion Basin campground.  It is 1.25 miles to reach Catherine Pass with an elevation gain of 800 feet.  Add another quarter mile to hike down to the lake.  I highly recommend that you take the time to hike all the way around this lovely lake which adds a half mile to the hike.  Total distance roundtrip becomes 3.5 miles.

Views of Lake Catherine from four directions.

Another reason to love Lake Catherine is the wildlife.  There are almost always moose to be found hanging around the lake.  Today along with a moose we saw a sage hen and the resident chipmunks.

More of the moose!

Sage hen or grouse?

Alvin??

And did I mention Wildflowers??  You really need to see these for yourself because photos just can't capture how beautiful this area is!

Meadow of Elephantheads.

More Photos in case you haven't seen enough already :)

From Catherine Pass you also have the option to climb Sunset Peak which was our plan for today.  But there were thunderstorms in the distance and the sky was a little too ominous to be climbing peaks -- we thought it best to be prudent and save peak bagging for another day.

Sunset Peak elevation 10,648

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"For myself I hold no preferences

among flowers so long as they are

wild, free, spontaneous!" Ed Abbey 

 Wildflower of the Week

If you take a really close look at this wildflower you can see where it gets it's name.  It has a long trunk and big floppy ears just like an elephant hence the name Elephantheads.  Look for these bright magenta flowers in wet meadows and along mountain streams.

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Peaks Bagged

1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299 

2.  Reynolds Peak ♦♦ 9422

******Miles hiked log     

beginning March 22, 2013

84.6