The 2022 Utah Adventure

 Mostly sunny day with temps in the mid-80s. Time to get out before the bottom falls out over the 3 day Memorial Day week-end. Heading to the Mormon Trail for my 1st hike of the season. Excited (and curious how muddy I'm going to get trying to reach the new entrance. When I arrive, I'm the only car in the lot. There's pallet of pipe in the parking lot - curious what they will be doing -- hopefully re-routed this beaver dammed water off the trail (I can only hope). I cross the bridge and pleasantly surprised the trail is dry (not usual for this time of year). But I don't have to go far and there's a stream of flowing water; back to the alternate trail up the hill. When I get to the top, I hear Sandhill Crane calling. I look up and there's a lone Sandhill flying towards me and then over. What an awesome start!! It's in the mid-60s and mostly sunny but there are lots of clouds. I'm hoping this isn't a bust as far as butterflies. I'll soon find out. ...

 Mostly sunny day with temps near 90 (may be a record) Heading up after work to walk Lambs Canyon Rd. I get started just before 3:30. Clouds high and scattered. There's a big thunderstorm looking cloud east of Park City. Bluebells are now in bloom; Biscuitroot are in peak form and I find a Wallflower. Three new butterflies flying today: Western Tailed Blues, Field Crescents and a Brown Elfin. The season is progressing despite the whacky weather. Still flying are: Mourning Cloak, CA Tortoiseshell, Large Marge, Orangetips (most I've yet -- all males still), Juba Skipper, the Swallowtail trio (Anise, Western and 2-tailed), Spring Azures  and a lot of Rocky Mt Duskwings and a Two-banded Skipper. Good day!

 Sunny day with temps in the high 60s. Took off a little early to hike up to the Overlook. Only a few cars in the lot as I start up. The Solomon Seals are about ready to bloom. The Glacier Lilies are all but gone except for the recently melted spots. Spring Beauties are still in full bloom in a few spots. The flowers of the day are the Virginia Waterleaf, Oregon Grape and Groundsel. Cool flowers of the day: Fairy Bells  and blooming Heart Leaf Arnica The Larkspur  and Vetch are starting the bloom and I also find pink flower. Quiet, dry walk (no mud or snow left). Viewpoint is good today (not a lot of late afternoon haze out there). And the best part of the hike is finding a Brown Elfin on my way. Good day!

 Sunny day with temps in the mide-60s. Heading up Mill D North this morning. Hoping to get past the meadow but it all depends on the snow as I'm not bringing my micro-spikes with me. Beautiful morning with temps in the mid-40s. Canyon is greening up and pretty much all of the snow on the drive to the parking lot is now gone. Big Cottonwood creek running strong but far from peak. There are a few cars in the lot when I arrive after 8am.  Sun hasn't risen over the peaks yet so it's a shady walk to the trailhead. No fishermen yet but there are a few Mallards on the creek near the road. On the way to the trailhead, just a few ground squirrels running around and some birds singing. The road (both dirt and pavement) is now snow-few.  Mt Reynolds is still looking good. Crossing the bridge, the water is running stronger now. Onward and upward - thankfully, the road is now clear except for a few small spots. I find two piles of coyote poop and an old pile of moose doo. Just before ...

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-80s. Punted on my planned Grandeur Peak hike for a less crowded hike up Lambs Canyon Rd and trail. Hoping to make it to the big clearing before crossing to the other side of the canyon. Temps in the 50s when I start up the road. The front 100-200 yards are in the sun but most of the rest of the journey to the trail head is in the shade. I do find CA Tortoiseshells on the way to the trail head. The Forget-me-knots are increasing in blooms and I find an Arrowleaf Balsamroot in bloom too. Oh, the Bisquitroot are starting to bloom too! The trail is all clear with only patches of mud. Lots of little green plants emerging from the soil - including Heartleaf Arnica. The Solomon's Seals are poking up.  I'm seeing CA Tortoiseshells, Mourning Cloaks  and a few Green Commas and Satyr Commas and a Milbert's Tortoiseshell (the 1st of the year) along the way. And lots of small orange moths. The creek is flowing and sounds awesome as does the Woodpecker ...

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-60s. A nice change from the rain (and snow in the foothills and mountains yesterday). I thought of doing the Desolation Trail after it cleared up yesterday but decided against it -- didn't want to wade thru a couple of inches of snow. And after seeing the trail today, I'm very happy about that decision. I arrive after 9am. The parking is pretty full. It's in the low 50s so I just grab my pack and head up the trail. The trail is obviously wet and muddy in spots. And there's still snow in spots especially off the trail. There are still Avalanche Lilies hanging on but the numbers are dropping. Same story for the Spring Beauties and Buttercups. The Virginia Waterleaf and Groundsels are increasing in blooms and the Heartleaf Arnica plants are getting bigger. Oh, the Solomon's Seals are now poking up from the ground. About 1/2 way up I get a surprise with a Sheridan's Hairstreak sighting (wish I had my camera). The snow/ice/muddy spots...

Sunny day with highs in the mid-60s. After work, I headed up to walk the Lambs Canyon Rd and check out the trail (snow check). Before I even get to the gate, I see an Anise Swallowtail (the 1st of 9 today). This one was nearer the trail with a Dreamy Duskywing. As I walk, I see CA Tortoiseshells. Definitely beaten and in less numbers than last time. The Mourning Cloaks look fresh today and in about the same numbers as last time. I see 3-4 male Orangetips, a few Rocky Mt Duskywings  and a few Hoary Commas and Green Commas (along the trail). The surprises of the day, the Spring Azures are now flying. I saw maybe 5 of them. Also, a little green Sheridan's Hairstreak, Sleepy Duskywings. The Forget-me-knots are also in bloom with the OregonGrape, Yellow Violet and Groundsel (just starting to bloom). I walked about 100 yards of the trail again passing a fresh-ish pile of moose poop! The trail is clear for that bit (exception for the downed tree to climb over). After that, it's snowy....