July 14 - Mirror Lake Hwy Butterflying

Sunny day with the high near 90 degrees.

Heading up to cooler temperature at 10,000 to do some butterflying.

First stop is the Pass Lake Parking (or the Lofty Loop parking). It's sunny and in the mid-50s but it doesn't feel cool nor are there many mosquitoes (that's a good thing).

My legs are tanked from prior hikes so I'm goal is not to head to Lofty Lake but I'm heading that way. Lots of flowers along the way.

I stop at Scout Lake to check out the wonderful flowers (and potential butterflies).

No butterflies but the flowers are sure pretty especially the Shooting Stars

and Elephant Head.

I decide at this point to head back to the trail head. I'm sure the butterflies may be awesome at the Lake but my legs are tanked so I head back stopping to watch a Clark's Nutcracker

Along the way, I find Purplish Frits flying!!!

I get back to my car and decide to head down the trail to Cuberant Lakes trail as in less than 1 mile I'll hit a wet areas which may have more butterflies.

Still seeing Purplish Frits,

blue damselflies and a really pretty dragonfly - Boreal Whiteface possibly.

I reach the meadow in front of Reids Peaks.

Not much but the Scudder's Sulpurs are flying.

I reach my turn around point at a bridge and head back to my car.

It's after 11am, so I head to the Highline Trail parking. There is usually a wet area and should be lots of flowers.

And yes, the water and the flowers are there (and the flowers are incredible).

I head out into the flowers seeing more Scudder's Sulphurs and an Anise Swallowtail.

I also see a couple of Blues that are flying.

I head over to the water and find some Purplish Frits

a Scudder's Sulphur

a Grizzled Skipper

and a Purplish Coppers.

I have lunch and then check out some more flowers. Either I missed the peak flight or I'm still early.

Next stop is Murdock Peak. I head up the little hill and get blasted with strong wind. I think it's time to go home.

Great day!