My Utah Adventure 2025

 Cloudy day near 70 in forecast. Was going to head up to Lake Mary and beyond but decided on Willow Lake. More changes in color on the drive. Hard to tell how pretty since it's still dusk and cloudy. A couple of cars at the Willow Lake TH. It's 49 degrees as I start the hike. The aspen are definitely changing colors and the flowers are all but gone. I find a few yellow composites and purple asters on the way up.  Soon I'm at the meadow which is looking very Fall-like. And then Willow Lake. I make my way to the other side and in the process find a Geranium and a few more Asters. As the lake, no ducks this morning. Hmm, not sure where they went. Seeing lots of scat around the lake -- must be coyotes as there are no dogs permitted. I head back into the willows assuming that I won't be seeing any moose/deer since a lady had past me earlier and she hasn't backtracked. But more than 1/2 way thru, I meet a guy w/ camera standing on a stump. I do hear rustling in the forest...

 Sunny day in the forecast. Heading up to hike to Willow Lake and around Silver Lake this morning. Leaves are continuing to change but still mostly green as I make my way up the canyon. Willow Lake looks pretty busy already this morning (probably campers) so I just continue to Silver Lake. Some pops of the aspen yellow but still not near peak. I see some folks taking some photos of something so I head counter-clockwise around the lake. A little frosty on the boardwalk this morning (and I'm wearing my light winter coat too). When I get to the people with cameras, I see nothing and they are moving away. Perhaps a beaver was moving around. I cross the footbridge and then stop at the pier for the view. And then continue around the lake. There are Mallards but no beavers sightings this morning. On the other side of the lake, I find some small critter tracks in the frost on the boardwalk. Good day!

 Sunny day with temps in the mid-80s. I have the day off and was planning on heading of LCC for a bigger hike but wasn't feeling the need to climb today so I'm heading to Willow Lake. Definitely my go-to at this point in the season so we'll see what I see (or not) this morning. I leave around 7:30 which was later than I wanted but I'm moving. Colors are continuing to progress though extremely spotty. I arrive at the TH and there's only one car parked. It's 49 degrees and the sun is still rising as I start up the trail. Not much difference than a few days ago. Just a quiet morning as the birds are not yet up and moving. Soon I've arrived at the meadow to sunlight which is a change from my last 2 visits. And I can see some yellow tips on a few aspen. Head around to the other side of the lake and no moose/deer this morning. But a few sleeping Mallards that I disturbed. I make my way around the lake and I'm soon back to the other side. Time to head down. I s...

Mostly cloudy morning with highs near 80 at Antelope Island today. So today marks my Fall return to the Island. I'm really excited to stretch my legs on a flattish hike and of course, see some critters. On way way there, just off the highway exit is a small cattle ranch. Love seeing the cows as I pass the intersection. However, my heart is sad as I approach today as the cattle rancher sold out and the site is being prepared for a Costco. :( It was a matter of time with the new highway and the interchange but it goes from nice and peaceful to chaotic when the Costco opens. Signs of progress??? I reach the Island and with all the news talk about how much the Salt Lake has dropped, I'm expecting the worse. However, there's still lots of green grasses, large areas of water and absolutely a ton of waterfowl! Even the marina still has water in it on the back half so it is lower but we are ending a very dry summer. I reach the Island and head south. I'm not driving the Island ...

 It's a cloudy morning on an off-Friday. Rain is in the forecast for the mountains around noon. So instead of doing a big hike, I'm just heading up to Willow Lake. Trees are progressing a little since last week and the ground foliage is really starting to look like Fall.  Pretty light traffic for a Friday (yes, Labor Day) but I'm surprised at the number of cars around Willow Lake. Guess news is out that it is a good moose spot (though I haven't seen tons). Aspen are still here but again ground veg is dry or turning colors. There are a few purple aster and yellow composites but they are hard to find. Pretty quiet hike up and I didn't see anyone coming down. Soon I'm crossing the meadow and just before I enter the aspen before the lake, there are two people popping out into the meadow from the other side of the loop (boy they are fast). I loop to the opposite side of the lake to find 3 people stopped and looking out over the lake. Moose? Nope they are just chattin...

 Sunny day with temps near 80 degrees - finally! It's work Friday but after finishing my day and an hour for next, I take off for a hike up to Willow Lake. I haven't been there in about month so it's definitely time. No moose or deer sighting heading up the canyon and it's surprisingly empty. Could be the kids are back in school but I like it. I arrive at the TH and there are only 2 cars parked. I arrive before 9am. Pretty much everything or in seed at this point. I manage to find a few Purple Aster flowers and a yellow composite but they are hard to find. Quiet this morning as it's cloudy. Many holes in the trail, especially the 1st switchback, very confusing. Also there are deer tracks on the trail. I arrive at the meadow to meet all 4 of the cars' occupants. I have the lake to myself.  The rain we had this week definitely raised the lake level. I circle around to the other side where I am finding many more flowers in bloom - asters, a few geraniums, etc. I fi...