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ALBION BASINA TOUCH OF NATURE
It has been a long-standing tradition for members of Utah Nature Study
Society to take a trip to Albion Basin each summer at the peak of the
wild flower season. This beautiful place is located at the top of
Little Cottonwood Canyon, above the ski resorts of Alta and Snowbird.
The elevation here is over 9,000 feet -- almost 10,000 feet at
Cecret Lake, where some of us usually hike each year. Until you get
right to it, it is not apparent that there could possibly be a lake in
this spot, up against the cliffs. It is indeed a special secret place,
spelled "Cecret" on an early map drawn by a miner who was prospecting
for the precious metals to be found in the metamorphic rock of the area.
It is said that there are more different varieties of wild flowers growing
here than in any other area of similar size in the United States. At this
high elevation, alpine and sub-alpine plants are found, which do not occur
on the foothills or lower in the canyon. But many of the plants which do
live lower down, also bloom here. (Only they bloom later here than they do
at the lower elevations.) So this basin is a meeting place of several
different habitats.
Below are links to lists and sketches of some of the plants and wildlife
that might be seen by a person visiting the area.
Albion Basin Flowers and Other Plants Small Mammals of the High Country Some Birds of Utah Mountains -- (Coming Soon)
1978 ----------------Janet Williams Mitchell 1986 ---------- Linda Rose and Arlene Miller 1987 Handout -----------Checklist of Plants 1997 ---------- Dot K. Platt and Ty Harrison 1999 (with colored photos) ---- Sandra Bray |
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