June 12 - Mill D South (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with temps in the mid-90s forecast for today. Heading Big Cottonwood Canyon to hike the Mill D South trail towards the Cardiff Mine. My goal today is simply to make it to the large tailing pile. But if the stream crossing the trail isn't too bad, I may continue on.

I hiked this trail about 2 weeks ago and snow blocked me from even getting to the tailing pile. Lots of water running down the trail after the 1st meadow. Much of that water should be gone today but time to find out.

Uneventful drive of the canyon. Dog Lake parking is packed already somewhere around 8am but strangely Donut Falls is empty. Strange but I like. :)

I get out of my car and walk to the gate. Well that answers why there are no cars here, the gate is open! I could park at the trail head. Back this point, I just want the road; I can use the extra mile round trip.

Still not much blooming along the road. Just ground squirrels scampering a bout.

I reach the trail head and strangely, there are only a couple of cars here. Early birds must not hike to Donut Falls.

Honestly doesn't matter to me because that is not my destination. It's time to cross the bridge and check out the water that is still flowing with some power. Not as powerful as 2 weeks ago but still flowing strong.

Time for the uphill with the roadside stream as my companion for a while anyhow.

I heard that CA Tortoiseshells are having a strong flight this year which I noted on my Lambs Canyon visit a couple of days ago. And today, my 1st butterfly is a CA Tortoiseshell.

I reach the meadow

and spot a Mcilleries Warbler!!

Still not much blooming (some cinquefoil, wallflower, bluebells) but larger green plants.

And a Painted Lady and yea, the more CA Tortoiseshells (6 in total today).

I continue along and yes, the trail with only a couple of exceptions is dry.

I do find a set of old moose tracks in the dried dirt.

I reach the spot where there was snow last week and the trail is clear so up I go. At the top, the large tailing pile and the flowing stream.

I follow the detour around some of the water and find a couple of boards to get over more of the water. But eventually, I get stopped. It only 3-6 inches of water but simply not feeling like getting my feet wet to continue up to the mine...next time.

I stop briefing to enjoy the view and the sounds of flowing water.

Time to head down. On the way down, I see more CA Tortoiseshells, an Orangetip (actually I see another farther down past the meadow), an un-ID'd Duskywing/Cloudywing and 2 Blues.

I also watch 2 hummingbirds swirl high into the air squeaking/chirping in seemingly a battle for territory.

When I get back to the trail head, I arrive to a lot and road filled with cars. Never understood why people would hike to a crowded destination; I must be a strange one. :)

On the way back, I see another CA tortoiseshell, a Ringlet and a Northern Checkerspot.

Great day!