July 13 - Snake Creek Pass (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Another mostly sunny day with highs in the 90s.

Heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon to hike up to Snake Creek Pass. As always I'm hoping for butterflies but it's early in the day so I'm not expecting much.

Cool morning with temps at the trail head around 59 degrees. The trail up the hill is still in the shade as the sun is not up high enough. Lots more flowers than the last time I was here. Tons of Lupine!

Trail is empty except for a deer I see moving to the west.

I finally run into a group of folks just before the Dog Lake turn-off; I slow down/stop to keep my distance.

They've stopped at the turn-off for a break, I just go around and continue towards Dog Lake.

I find a large patch of vegetation that is flattened to the ground; I'm hoping laying moose caused this patch and not a herd of humans.

I look toward the lake but no moose; just a good number of mosquitoes buzzing around. Gotta keep moving.

I continue along thru the woods. Along the way I find, Heartleaf Arnica, Buttercups, Spring Beauty, Paintbrush and lots of Lupine in bloom/or ready to bloom.

Each little section of trail is at a different point of plants growth. One section still has some snow!

Before I know it, I reach the gravel road to the Pass. 

Nice very looking east this morning!

I decide to head left towards Clayton Peak for the first time. I make it to the big left turn and a steeper hill to the ski lift. Just didn't feel like going higher because it's in the shade = no butterflies.

I head don't to the Pass and then back up hill to the other ski lift. Last time I was here, there was little to no vegetation. Today, there's vegetation just no flower yet.

Along the way I see a few Frits and what I think is a Milbert's Tortoiseshell. Oh! and a Parnassian.

I make to my normal stopping point and enjoy a short rest.

Time to head back down (hoping to beat the spotty rain storms I can see moving in).

I do find a Mormon Frit next to my turn-off trail.

And see one Blue flying (and a hummingbird) in the meadow near Dog Lake.

Good day!