May 30 - Mormon Trail

A sunny day with highs in the mid-90s.

Today it's time to head to the Mormon Trail for some butterflying.

I went a couple of weeks ago but I didn't make it very far due to the normal Spring flooding.

I arrive today around 9am. There's a few cars in the lots - yea, not flooded with people like the other trail heads!

I cross the bridge; the water high and still flowing fast. I make an attempt at the actual trail. It's much better than 2 weeks ago but still requires wading thru water. Detour to the dry but steep crossing.

After I cross, I head down to the trail seeing a couple of Blues flying.

Hoping to see Relict Frits today. Every year I start seeing them around June 1st so it's time.

The creek at the lower part is now dry so that water crossing I was stopped by previously it totally dry.

It's still early and there's still a lot of shade around so I looking for butterflies but not expecting too much.

However, the lupine are up but not blooming. In bloom are Strawberries, Big-leaf XXX, Bluebells, Wild Onion. Oregongrape, Pussytoes, a few Geranium, Purple Violets, Cherry trees

.... and lots of Dandelions.

Three of my favorites are also in bloom: Green Gentian

Lily

Purple.

As far as butterflies, they're out but not in big numbers. Even the muddy spots instead of having many Blues have 0, 1 or 2. Pretty bare.


I make my way to the pond along the way I see Orangetips, Large Marble,

Juba Skippers, Ringlets, several Painted Ladies (the butterfly of the day, Ringlets were 2nd place),

Boisduval's Blue and Western Tailed Blues,

Checkered Skipper

and I think I see a Relict Frit!

At the pond's meadow,

I see my 1st Western Tiger Swallowtail of the year!

I reach the pond. Usually the trail near the pond is wet/muddy and filled with butterflies. Today, it's only wet and muddy. :(

I head down to the pond in search of mud. I find mud and find several Blues and 3-4 Anise Swallowtails - score!

I also see Field Crescents.

I continue along to the dam and head down to search the mud. The water is still high so there's not much mud yet.

I decide to continue on to the 2 mile mark. On my way I see another Relict Frit

a Northern Crescent

a beautiful Red Admiral (a butterfly that I do not see every year so it's the surprise of the day).

(Noticeably absent are Duskywings.)

Then I run into 2 families with 8 kids. They were taking a break but are starting to move. I really don't want to pass them only to turn around at 2 miles and go by them yet again so I'm turning around now; probably about 1/2 mile shy of 2 mile.

On the way back, I add Northern Cloudywing to my list.

And a dragonfly.

Short but good day!

May 29 - Mill D South (Cardiff Mine)

Sunny day with heading towards the mid-90s - wow over 20 degrees above normal!

Left my house around 7:30 this morning to hike the Mill D South Trail heading towards the Cardiff Mine. I'm hoping to make it to the 2nd mine tailing pile but it depends on the trail conditions. Making it to the mine is out of the question today as it's peak snow melt and after the tailing pile will be a swollen creek that I'm not willing to cross.

I arrive somewhere around 8am. I'm surprised by the number of cars already in the trail head parking lots on the way up the canyon. Looks like a week-end and it's only Friday; oops everyone is on the Covid vacation right now.

I park in the 2nd lot and head up the road for the 1/2 mile to the trail head. Plants are still small but there are a few blooming: Pucoon

Strawberries and Oregongrape.

The ground squirrels are out this morning.

The road is actually devoid of people as they build an actual trail last year to Donut Falls to keep people off the road. It's nice!

And so is the view of Kessler Peak!

I reach the trail head and cross the road. Wow! The water is sure flowing!

I pass the gate and start my uphill trek thru the pines and along the fast flowing creek. Perfect!

There are still patches of snow in the woods but the trail is clear; except some spots are wet. And some spots higher up with small snow crossings.

At one point I see a Mourning Cloak fly across the road but it's otherwise pretty quiet.

Before long, I reach the meadow.

Beautiful as always as the sun is just topping the mountain peaks.

I scan for wildlife but not seeing any this morning.

As I continue farther, the trail becomes a running stream as I expected. I keep crisscrossing the trail trying to keep my shoes dry.

I find some Spring Beauty in one small spot.

 I pass the 1st mine tailing pile (saw a moose here a couple of years ago).

I nearing that 2nd tailing pile;

I think it's up this hill ahead of me but there's a patch of snow (a continuous one) with water flowing underneath. (7200ft at road to over 8400 ft)

Time to turn around for today!

On the way back, I see a Hoary Comma

a couple of Juba Skippers

and several Blues. I finally caught up with one; it's a Spring Azure!

Water-level view of creek flowing next to trail.

I also find a deer feeding on the final stretch along the road to my car.

Fantastic day!

May 27 - Little Cottonwood Trail

Sunny and mid-80s. Last day before the temperatures start to soar. So after work, I head off to hike the Little Cottonwood Trail for the 1st time this year. It's a pretty busy trail; mostly for bikers but the trail is wide and the Covid #s are done, time to give it a shot.

I get to the trail around sometime after 3:30 and start up. Hoping for some butterflies but it's been so dry since March.

I get a glimpse of a skipper near the start. I have to assume it was a Juba Skipper.

The Wild Onions are in bloom; love those tiny pink flowers. And there are lots of daisies.

I spot a few lizards on the first stretch.

Little Cottonwood Creek is roaring today; definitely the peak of the Spring snow melt!

I reach the bridge and oh my, what a torrent!

I continue up the trail and into the woods spotting a little Spring Azure flying.

I see Solomon's Seal in bloom

Thimbleberries will flower buds

and blooming Oregongrape.

I do find some Spring Azure in a muddy spot but it's pretty butterfly bare.

At one point on the way up and down, I spot butterflies that look like a Comma and possible a CA Tortoiseshell. Hard to tell as they are flying.

I cross the second bridge (footbridge) and soon the last bridge. Lots of water!

Just after that bridge is the water wheel. Lots of water overflowing the trail as I expected. I could easily get across if I was willing to get my feet wet; but I'm not willing. So this is my ending place.

 Time to head down.

Good day!

May 25 - Twin Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

It's Memorial Day! Remember our fallen military folks for giving and protecting our freedoms today because that's what the holiday is all about!

Well the temperatures are heading toward a high of 70 degrees with sunshine.

Heading up a  Big Cottonwood Canyon to reach Twin Lakes today. I'm hoping the lake is still frozen.

I leave around 6:30 am to beat the holiday crowds.

As I drive up, I spot a deer crossing a the road.

And in less than a mile later, there's another deer crossing! As I pass, there's actually 2 deer there!

When I arrive there are a few cars in the lots and the Silver Lake trail is for the most part melted. It's very frosty when I arrive as the temperatures are in the 20s and the sun is still coming up over the mountains. Crunch, crunch, crunch as I make my way over the boardwalk.

I cross the bridge and continue around the lake. Even on the right side, it melted with just a few sections of snow left.

Silver Lake is still has frozen sections especially this frosty morning.

I hear Mallards but can't find them.

I reach the turn off towards Twin Lakes/ Lake Solitude and I'm surprised the trail is clear. (I thought I'd be putting on my spike here.)

I continue along and reach the trail intersection. Hey, there's clear trail towards Lake Solitude; it may be worth trying later this week (with 90+ degree temps coming to the valley this week, it should be melted pretty good).

I continue up through the forest up towards the switchback.

I pass plenty of signs of Spring as Bluebells, Meadow Rue are emerging. I also find a few blooming (and budding) Glacier Lilies in one small section.

I reach the switchback and now it's time to stop and put on the spikes.

And watch a Pika.

I continue across the switchback

and then reach the uphill section. There's a nice path up towards the dam. (I must be late this year as last year, I blazed the trail.)

I take my time stopping to enjoy the sights and that crispness of the morning.

I'm on the last uphill section when I spot what looks like a family just reaching the dam. Shoot! I thought I'd have the lake to myself. Oh well! Good for them for being out.

I reach the dam,

head around and then stop at a rock to remove some gear. I then head downhill to the lake's edge at the dam. To take a look at the still frozen (totally frozen) lake (and avoid getting the family in my views).

Pretty cool!

I think about heading even higher but decide to just head down.

On my way down, I see/hear squirrels, a chipmunk and a ground squirrel

and two Pikas on the rock slope.

Fantastic day!

May 21 - Lambs Canyon Road and Trail (almost to the top)

It's a mostly sunny day with highs in near 70 degrees. Clouds coming in later tonight as another cold front rolls in overnight.

I'm out of work by 11am so I head up to Lambs Canyon. The road is still close; opening is supposed to be June 1.

So I gear up for the 1.5 mile walk up the road.

There's new flowers blooming today are Geraniums, an unknown flower

Solomon's Seals are finally blooming

Wild Lettuce (perhaps)

I also see 5 Painted Ladies, Spring Azure

and my 1st Western Tailed Blue of the year.

The mud puddles at the parking lot is pretty empty except for 2 Spring Azures and my 1st Rocky Mt Duskywing of the year.

Where are all the butterflies?

I head across the bridge and start my way up the trail. My plan is to make it to the top OR until I reach snow. I'm not crossing snow today.

The trail is dry with lots of Virgins Bowers in bloom.

I do find a Western Tailed Blue near 2 Spring Azures in a wet spot

lots of little brown moths, and a Rocky Mt Duskywing along the way. And there other single Azures (I assume) along various parts of the trail.

The trail is definitely greening up now especially on the lower sections.

Lots of Waterleaf in bloom and a few Yellow Violets.

I reach the 3rd switchback (my stopping point a week ago) and continue along.

There's less green along the way as this section was covered in snow not long ago.

Soon I reach the meadow. I have climb over two large logs to get there but when there I find Spring Beautys in bloom.

At some point I see a Comma flying and a yellow Swallowtail down in the valley below.

I skirt a little snow in a couple of spots without issues.

Then I come upon a cross over a steep gully but the trail is covered in snow. There's some footprints on the downside slope and clear trail on the other side.

I'm tempted but I said no crossing snow. So time to turn back 70 vertical feet from the top!! I'll be there next week.

Time to head down.

On the way back down the road, surprise, I find 2 Anise Swallowtails!!

And a CA Tortoiseshell.

And Baneberry or Dolls Eyes blooming

and the Cherry trees are also starting to bloom.

Great day!