Albion Basin to Mount Tuscarora July 24, 2013

I woke up early on Pioneer Day, and headed up to get a good view of Pioneer Peak.  I drove 14.1 miles up Little Cottonwood Canyon to the Catherine Pass Trailhead.  I parked in the parking lot by the restrooms and crossed the road to hit the trail.  At about mile .78 the trail splits, and you stay to the left for Catherine Pass.  At Catherine Pass, I headed left up the ridge to the top of  Mount Tuscarora. Apparently a large buck had the same idea, but from the other direction, because we both reached the summit at the exact same time, and surprised each other!  He bounded away, leaving me to find the geocache up there: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=8d0e183f-0c37-4453-8f73-c60cc7c943c2.  The view was incredible, especially as the sun broke through the clouds reflecting on Lake Martha.   I headed back the way I came, ran into the retired Air Force Pilot and his English mother, whom I had met last Friday! They were looking for the father, who had become lost descending Sunset Peak.  When I returned to the trailhead, I had hiked 3.61 miles, a great start to Pioneer Day!

Daylight breaking in Albion Basin

Lakes Mary and Martha from Mount Tuscarora

Sunlight reflecting on Lake Martha

Trekking poles framing Pioneer Peak on Pioneer Day

Wildflowers reminded me of fireworks.

On the way back to the trailhead.