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

Reynolds Peak

High on the mountain top!

Summer is already half over and I finally just climbed my second mountain peak of the year.  Reynolds Peak elevation 9422 feet! (BIG HIGH FIVE!)  We started our climb at the top of Millcreek Canyon on the Big Water Trail towards Dog Lake.  The Big Water Trail begins at the Southwest corner of the upper parking area.  It is a nice gradual trail with many switchbacks and a couple of stream crossings.  Big Water and Little Water trails are extremely popular mountain bike trails and mountain bikes are allowed on the trails on even numbered days.  We hiked on July 10 so we had to dodge several bikes. (I'm sure the bikers are equally annoyed to have to share the trail with hikers) Dogs are allowed in Millcreek Canyon and must be on leash on even numbered days, but no leash is required on odd days.   The trail to Dog Lake is well established and easy to follow, but the trail to Reynolds Peak was a little confusing.  We came to this junction and followed the Mt Olympus Wilderness trail. OOPS!  It was a major trail, but the wrong way.  So when you reach this sign continue a few hundred feet towards Dog Lake and you will find the trail again on your right to the summit of Reynolds Peak. We did discover the the Mt. Olympus Wilderness leads to trails for Butler Fork and Mill D in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  It would be interesting to hike from one canyon to the next but be sure to have a car waiting.

Reynolds Peak

9422

The hike to Reynolds Peak took a total of 3 and 1/2 hours.  It was 5.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1822 feet.

We have our goal in sight!  At the top you are surrounded by mountain peaks in all directions.  To the east and south is Clayton Peak, American Fork Twin Peaks, Devils Castle and Kessler Peak.  To the west and north is Dromedary, Broads Fork Twin Peaks, Mt. Raymond and Gobblers Knob.  It is simply incredible!  And the wildflowers were gorgeous!

 

At the very top you will find a makeshift mail box.

  More photos!

The only downside to our hike yesterday was the bugs! They were bad!!  And they were biting flys more than mosquitos.  I have been using "Burt's Bees" all natural herbal insect repellent but it did not deter the pesky flys.  I guess it is time to try a new product.

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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

This type of paintbrush is called a split-leaf or rhexia-leaf.  It is very common in all mountain meadows from June through August and comes in a variety of colors.  The split-leaf paintbrush is one of several different kinds of paintbrush in Utah.

Peaks Bagged

1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299 

2.  Reynolds Peak ♦♦ 9422

******Miles hiked tally     

beginning March 22, 2013

81.1

Lakes Mary and Dog

Summer is such a busy hiking season in our beautiful Wasatch mountains.  With so many hikers on the trails I have been thinking a little about trail etiquette.  Here are my favorite trail etiquette suggestions.

1. Take only photos and leave only footprints ♥
2. Stay on the trails . . .  please protect plant life and keep the trails pristine.  Avoid taking shortcuts especially on switchbacks and also avoid bushwhacking.
3. If you pack it in, then pack it out.  I am amazed at how much litter I find on every trail I hike.
4. Say hello to other hikers you meet on the trails.  You can learn a lot from others and it is fun to share what you know and see.  
5. Downhill hikers should yield to those hiking up hill unless they stop to rest and wait for you to pass.  This one is debatable.  I personally like to yield to those coming downhill because I am usually the one needing to rest.  Bottom line is just be courteous and aware of those around you.
6. Hike quietly.  Enjoy the sounds of nature and let others do the same!  ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Lake Mary

Lake Mary is another one of the most popular hikes in Big Cottonwood canyon beginning at Brighton ski resort.  The hike is only 2 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 760 feet - very doable even for the youngsters.  Today it was the teen scene (#6 wasn't observed).  To make the hike more interesting I decided to hike all the way around the lake which added an additional half mile.  It was fun to view different perspectives of Lake Mary and it made the hike a bit more challenging.  Lake Mary is watershed and signs are posted for no swimming, but many people either can't read or just choose to ignore the signs.  It is a beautiful lake from all directions.

Lake Mary dam was built in 1916 to create a water supply reservoir.  Wish people wouldn't swim in my drinking water.

  This old cabin is just off the trail to Twin Lakes from Lake Mary.

 

Dog Lake

Just 500 feet from the main trail to Lake Mary sets little Dog Lake.  I thought I might hike around the little lake as well, but by half way around the lake it became very swampy and the mosquitoes were thick and bothersome.  But the mountain bluebells were also thick and beautiful.

 

 

"For myself I hold no preferences

among flowers so long as they are

wild, free, spontaneous!" Ed Abbey 

 Wildflower of the Week

The Colorado Columbine is hands down one of my favorite wildflowers.  The mountain variety is large and beautiful.  To me this wildflower is the essence of pure ♥ don't know why it strikes me as such but it does.

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Peaks Bagged

 1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299

******Miles hiked tally     

beginning March 22, 2013

75.5

Torrey Pines Natural Reserve

California hiking on such a summers day?  Yep!!  And I don't mean beach walking (although that is a very favorite activity of mine).  2000 coastal acres within the city limits of San Diego have been set aside to protect endangered native plants.  Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is home to a very rare and elegant pine tree "pinus torreyana" aka Torrey Pine.  There are 8 miles of trails in the park with dramatic views of gorges, badlands, picturesque trees and a beautiful stretch of beach.

Torrey Pine

    Razor Point Trail

Razor Point trail is a l.4 mile loop with little to no elevation gain.  The scenery was gorgeous and very unique.

  Badlands along the Pacific coast.

               The striated sandstone cliffs referred to as the badlands.
 

Looking into a gorge at the Torrey Pine.

View from Razor Point

The stairs from Beach Trail to Flat Rock.

A lot of activity on the beach to Flat Rock.

Flat Rock

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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

There were not many wildflowers left in late June, but I did see this Yellow Mariposa Lily scattered along the trail.  I need to visit this area in February or March.

Peaks Bagged

 1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299

******Miles hiked tally     

beginning March 22, 2013

72.7

Cecret Lake aka Secret Lake

Cecret Lake is a wonderful little hike in beautiful Albion Basin - wildflower mecca of the Wasatch.  Soooooo looking forward to late July and early August.  Thanks to a bountiful snow year the wildflowers are going to be spectacular!!!   But not today, we were a bit too early for the wildflowers, but the hike was still a good one. Cecret Lake is an excellent beginner hike and very popular.  So much so that the city of Alta provides a free shuttle bus on the weekends beginning mid July to transport hikers to the trailheads for both Lake Catherine and Cecret Lake.  The distance to Cecret Lake from the Albion Basin campground parking lot is 1.5 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of only 458 feet.  Today the gate was closed to the Albion Basin campground so we had to walk an additional mile or so.  My advise is to wait until July when the gate opens and the shuttle starts to hike Cecret Lake.  It is definitely a beauty!

Cecret Lake is a small glacial tarn which serves as the headwaters of Little Cottonwood Creek. "Tarn" is just another word for a small mountain lake.

Saw a couple of marmots on the hike today.  A marmot is a very large ground squirrel that lives in the rockpiles around the lake.  This one let me take his picture.

There was still a little bit of snow on the trail which just makes the hike more challenging.

Cecret Lake sets just under Sugarloaf Peak.  This is Sugarloaf Peak . . . elevation 11,051.  Who wants to bag this peak with me??  Anyone??

"For myself I hold no preferences

among flowers so long as they are

wild, free, spontaneous!" Ed Abbey 

 Wildflower of the Week

This is a Marsh Marigold.  Look for these sparkling white blossoms in very moist areas near the retreating snow.  They are part of the buttercup family.  We saw only one area of these pretty wildflowers on the Cecret Lake trail.

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CraZy Hiker Chicks Top 10 Reasons to Hike

#10 Hiking is an excellent cure for boredom.

#9 Hiking will strengthen your legs.  You may even notice calf muscles.

#8 On hiking trails you meet the most friendly people.  And even friendlier dogs. 

#7 Winter hiking allows you to escape the inversion in the valley and breathe CLEAN, FRESH AIR! 

#6 Hiking relieves stress, worry and anxiety - GUARANTEED!

#5 If you are lucky you will see a variety of wildlife on your hike.  Keep your eyes open!  And look around!

#4 Hiking will improve balance, coordination and bone density because you are walking on very uneven surfaces.

#3  Hiking increases feelings of well-being and lowers depression. 

#2  Hiking gives a greater appreciation for the beauty of our natural world.

#1 Hike for the pure pleasure of it!  John Muir said it best "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."

Peaks Bagged

 1.  Grandeur Peak ♦♦ 8299

******Miles hiked tally     

beginning March 22, 2013

68.8