The Avenues Twin Peaks - October 2, 2025

[scatman]

Since I was furloughed yesterday, I had a free day today so Katie and I headed up the Avenues Twin Peaks for what is now definitively my last hike of the year. We also made our way east along the ridge to see what we could see of the now out Dry Canyon Fire that had started on Tuesday, but was put out by some heavy rain on Tuesday afternoon.


These guys are getting ready for ski season. There were actually six of them, but these two were bringing up the rear so I was able
to get my camera ready to take their shot as Katie and I were getting our gear ready for the hike.


And what do we have here?


Hmm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


Leaving the city behind


Aster


And some goldenaster


I can already tell that I'm not going to like coming down that.


Not sure what this opening is for. It was recently dug and the opening was just a bit bigger than a softball. Badger? Fox den
maybe?


Small sunflower


Some one has driven up here recently. Maybe due to the fire in Dry Canyon?


Very little reds in the foothills this fall


This Maple tree usually has some stunning red to it this time of year, but not this time


Always like taking this shot of the trail heading to the top of the ridge


The northern ridge of City Creek comes into view with the Dude Benchmark on the left and Burro Peak and Grandview on the right


Frary peak beyond the north ridge of City Creek


More goldenaster


On our way along the south ridge of City Creek to check out the burn


This is the north fork of Dry Canyon - no fire was here


Grandview Peak

S
The burn scar boundary, along with a firefighter who is apparently watching to see if anything might flare up


Looks like the fire jumped the old Jeep road ahead


The South Fork of Dry Canyon where the fire started on Tuesday


Black Mountain Ridge above


A stand of scrub oak that burned by the road



Two separate patches of cacti that survived


Now back to the Avenues Twin Peaks


Snakeweed


Surprised to see a ladybug larva this time of year, but then again it got up to 83 degrees today


Then we spotted a ladybug on the branch to the right of the larva.


The north side of the north twin


The north side of the south twin


Katie, heading up the south twin


On the south twin


Group shot on south twin


Thisbe tarantula hawk wasp


It was then time to have some fun with the fisheye lens that I packed up with me




Fisheye view of the Salt Lake Valley




Can you find the horned lizard?



I kept the fisheye lens on for most of our way down, which made for some interesting perspectives




South side of the south twin at the top


Back at the Sube.


The End.

 

[Ugly]

Orange is a great color all year long, especially in fall.
You seem to find the tarantula hawk wasps often...and maybe I walk too often in the foothills where people walk their dogs, because I do not see as many horned toads, just fence lizards and occasionally a leopard lizard.

Furloughed... Gov't... bleh

Good Luck Monday under the knife!
Maybe if you get the right pain meds you could try writing a Trippy trip report?
Or maybe, there needs to be some more trip reports put on here, so you can have something to read instead of Tom Sawyer?

 

[scatman]

Orange is a great color all year long, especially in fall.
You seem to find the tarantula hawk wasps often...and maybe I walk too often in the foothills where people walk their dogs, because I do not see as many horned toads, just fence lizards and occasionally a leopard lizard.

Furloughed... Gov't... bleh

Good Luck Monday under the knife!
Maybe if you get the right pain meds you could try writing a Trippy trip report?
Or maybe, there needs to be some more trip reports put on here, so you can have something to read instead of Tom Sawyer?

And here I thought my trip reports were Trippy already.

I'll definitely have to post a shot of me on crutches.

 

[Bob]

Are you classed as furloughed when on sick leave ?

 

[scatman]

Are you classed as furloughed when on sick leave ?

If I'm on furlough (which I am), then I don't have to use sick leave. Got to be at surgery at 7:00 am tomorrow morning.

 

[Bob]

What I thought. Wife had knee surgery during a fed furlough..........

 

[Bob]

Good luck with it...........

 

[Pringles]

I hope the surgery went well, and you recover quickly, and with minimal pain.

The pictures are nice, but way too dry for this person who grew up in the east. I liked the reddish leaves, though.

 

[The Trout Whisperer]

I honestly love these posts of your exploits. The flowers are great and I do eagerly await to see if your attire outshines th flowers…safety first orange keeps th hunters at bay.

 

[scatman]

I hope the surgery went well, and you recover quickly, and with minimal pain.

The pictures are nice, but way too dry for this person who grew up in the east. I liked the reddish leaves, though.

Thanks Pringles! I'm getting used to the crutches at this point and my left hip isn't liking them much, but hey only 41 more days to go.

Yes, Salt Lake had a vey dry summer. I do like the golden grasses this tie of year in the foothills though.

Anymore trips to Yellowstone for you?

 

[scatman]

I honestly love these posts of your exploits. The flowers are great and I do eagerly await to see if your attire outshines th flowers…safety first orange keeps th hunters at bay.

Thanks John.

I didn't see any hunters on this hike, but it is that time of year.

It'll be awhile before I get any more flower shots. Next spring hopefully.