September Lake

If you look for September Lake on a map, you won't find it ... the name isn't real.  Each year we venture out on a hike to celebrate our September Anniversary, thus the name.  Although both of these Alpine Lakes exist, they don't have names; or very many visitors.  This is a perfect day hike for summer or fall.    

We started out at the Hancock Trailhead on HWY 143

We crossed two streams, both tributaries of Mammoth Creek

Then we began hiking in September snow . . . it was 38 degrees

Aspen leaves in the snow were too hard for me to pass up

A perfect Christmas tree . . . we may have to go back for it (ha)!

Despite the cold temperature, it was a beautiful day for a hike

So many leaves, so many different colors

We are the first ones to pass this way today

Remnants of the storm

We first visited this small lake in July 2015  

Such vibrant colors

We are hiking on the Markagunt Plateau at 10,000 ft. elevation

This rock cairn on the right was one of many along the trail.
One of these marks the "secret" path to September Lake.  

We have arrived at September Lake

What a pretty reflection

We like to celebrate our Anniversary with a hike and a picture!
(29th by the way)

Even though many of the aspens have already lost their leaves, it's still pretty

These lakes are a product of the Red Desert Lava Flow

Fall foliage in the form of raspberry bushes 

ahhh .... 17 miles and we get to have a late lunch at Firehouse Subs! 

Leaf Peeping on the Kolob Terrace Road

Yesterday afternoon we decided to go leaf peeping near our home.  

Come along and see what we found on the Kolob Terrace Road.

Entering the Kolob Mountain Valley

Every September we head to the mountains in search of Fall foliage

The Mountain Maple are usually the first to show their vibrant color

What a neat spot for a cabin

Some of the aspens were changing, while many were still green

This reminds me of the song ....Take Me Home, Country Roads

This little peak is not named on any map, imagine that!

If these trees could talk ..... from the top of this hill, what would they say?

I'm so glad all the trees don't change at once

Kolob Creek eventually flows into the Virgin River through Zion National Park

Escape to the La Sal Mountains

When most people think of Moab, they think of the red rocks.  Just minutes from town you can explore Arches National Park, head south and in less than an hour Canyonlands National Park will captivate you.  If you look to the southeast you can't miss Utah's 2nd highest mountain range, the La Sal Mountains.  Take a drive along the La Sal Mountain Loop Road for a closeup view and you'll notice the cooler temperatures, too.  There are thirteen peaks with trails and lakes and backroads, so get out there and explore.  

We reserved Campsite 18 at Warner Lake for Thursday and Friday nights

It turned out to be a perfect spot to camp

The deer were very friendly

We had our own trail through the aspens to the lake

 Warner Lake, with Haystack Mountain (11,642) in the background,
is the most idyllic lake in the La Sal Mountains 

It didn't take long for Kent to catch this trout

Warner Cabin can be rented for $50 a night, at 9,200 ft. expect chilly nights

Burro Pass will lead us to Mann's Peak, pictured here in the distance 

Starting out on the trail

It feels like Fall

We've reached Burro Pass, now the fun begins!

At least we have a trail for now ... that is!

It was odd to see mushrooms and moss growing on the slope of the mountain

Someone attempted to build some steps ... what were they thinking?!

We made our way up through the talus one step at a time

Looking south L-R at Mt. Peale (12,721) - we climbed in 2014, Mt. Mellenthin (12,646),
 Mt. Tukuhnikivatz (12,489)- we climbed in 2017 and Little Tuk (12,048)

We made it to the top of Mann's Peak (12,272)

It's always nice to find a wind shelter on top of any mountain.
We are looking east towards Mt. Tomasaki (12,239)

We pulled up a rock chair and enjoyed our snacks 

Looking north into Beaver Basin with Mt. Waas (12,391) in the background

On our descent we made our way to the base of 
Mt. Tomasaki (12,239) ... a hike for another day

A view of Mann's Peak from the east

Aerial view of the Mann's Peak Trail

Fall colors were just starting to show in the La Sal's

The moon was rising as we traveled the La Sal Mountain Loop Road back to camp

Evening is fast approaching

So Kent built a fire . . . 
It was nice and toasty and took the chill off the Fall air

In the morning we spotted this aspen leaf on our 4Runner

We stopped at Fisher Point Overlook, where the dinosaurs once roamed

We stumbled upon Don's Lake  

This is Kent's first time to have a sheep audience root him on while he was fishing

Hidden Lake was another pretty spot

Success at Hidden Lake

A busy bee working on this thistle

Our last view of Mann's Peak (looking into Beaver Basin) before heading for Moab

Driving through Castle Valley on our way back to Moab; Castle Rock is on the right