May 15 - Lambs Canyon Rd and Trail (to Clearing)

 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 that's really busy this morning.

On one of the mid-switchbacks, I find a Spring Azure 

and a Rocky Mt Duskywing.

Along the trail, I follow a rather fresh moose track for a while. 

And then later, multiple deer tracks.

I also find what looks like a very tiny Virginia Bowers plant blooming along one of the middle switchbacks. The flowers are bigger than the plants!

I also see a Yellow Violet, Oregongrape and Virginia Waterleaf.

The snow is increasing in the canyon as I go higher. I'm sure that clearing will be a snow field. I see some tracks on the other side of the canyon - I have to assume it's an animal that made them.

When I get to the clearing, yep, it is a snow field.

This is my stopping point (so glad I planned it that way)! (There are tracks through the clearing but I know the snow will get worse and I've been on the upper trail with snow before -- not fun.

Time to head back down. 

Appears that there are less flyers on the way down. Guess they are all warmed up now.

(I only see one person on the trail.) When I pop out on the road, there is one guy ready to start.

I checkout the mud puddles by the parking lot. Spring Azures and lots of Dreamy 

and Rocky Mt Duskywings.

Farther down, still along a muddy patch in the road, there are more Azures and Duskywings and 5 Anise Swallowtails.

Continuing down, I see CA Tortoiseshells, Orangetips (still all males and increasing in numbers) and the surprise of the day, a Large Marble!!

And the Juba Skippers are now out - saw one.

Awesome day! 

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