The 2022 Utah Adventure

 Sunny day with highs in the low 90s. Heading up to look for butterflies on the Mormon Trail - hopefully there will be no clouds today. I arrive just after 7:30. Temps are still in the 40s. I know it not good bfly conditions but I'm counting on an exciting walk back. The trail is for the most part in the shade as expected.  There is Yarrow, Vetch, Geraniums, Pink & White Clovers in bloom. And the Spittlebugs are out now. Despite the coolness and the shade, I do manage to see Ringlet, Northern Crescent and Field Crescent by the time I reach the pond. Lots of dragonflies zipping around this morning. I don't bother spotting at the muddy spot behind the dam -- still too shady. I reach the 2 mile mark and decide to continue the extra  mile today. First time this year! Along the way there are Bluebell, Forget-me-not, White Columbine,  Heart-leaf Arnica, Meadowrue and Virgin Bowers after the 2 mile marker. Still not much else flying. I reach the 3 mile marker, time to h...

 Sunny day with temps in the mid-80s. I'm heading up BCC to hike up to the Cardiff Mine this morning. When I arrive at the road side parking, I'm surprised by the number of cars in the lot because the trailside parking should now be open. I start down to side road to the trailside parking but when I get to the campground the gate is closed. The sign says it opens at 7am but it's already 7:30 - boo! I turn around and head back to the road side parking. I find a spot but I really don't want to walk the road and the extra 1+ mile today. Hmmm, I don't so I continue up the road to Silver Lake. I reach the Solitude Resort and my laziness pay dividends as I spot a moose (maybe)  down one of the snowshoes trail!! Fortunately there are no cars behind me so I U-turn twice and spot at a pull-off to watch the moose. And there are 2 of them. A Mom and offspring. It's look like a yearling! Very cool!! And even better, no one else sees these critters!! I continue to Silver Lak...

Mostly sunny day with temps in the low 70s (yes, a break from the 90 degree weather). My original plan was to head up to Twin Lakes this morning but then I decided to do my 1st hike up Lambs Canyon this year. I arrive just after 8am and start-up the trail. It's in the low 60s and although the sun is out, the trail is mostly in the shade w/ spots of sun - typical early morning. Lots of vegetation!  There are Blue Violet, Bluebells, Geraniums (both white and pink), Lupine, (some bloomers), Heart-leafed Arnica (that's trying to come into bloom) in the lower sections along the creek - which by the way is flowing. I manage to scare up/spot Western Tiger Swallowtails and Pale Swallowtail (1st sighting of the year - saw 4 on the lower sections) trying to get warmed up. A little higher, I see a Western Tailed Blue and Dreamy Duskywing (first time I've every seen them on the trail) On the rest of the trail, the Virgin Bowers, Vetch, Meadow Rue are blooming. Hey, the moon is still ou...

Another hot day predicted with clouds rolling in later before a cold front. Heading up to the Mormon Trail to check out the butterflies. I arrive around 8am; it's sunny, 65 degrees with clouds around but I think I'll be good at least for the initial 2 miles. The trail still looks flooded so I take the alternate route (I do need to bring some pruners to clear out some of the trail.) Up the hill I do and down the trail I go too. And surprise! It's cloudy. Every time I come here it's cloudy on the way out -- same today. :( I do see a few butterflies though. The Ringlets are flying. I scare up a few Northern Crescents and when I reach the meadow, I find a bunch of Cloudywings trying to get some sun. The Salsify and Yarrow are in bloom now. Lots of Salsify! There's also Beardtongue, Strawberries, blooming Cherry trees (though many are past peak), Geraniums, Death Camas, Jacob's Ladder, purple guys  and Wild Onions. The pond is much lower this week and the muck on top...

Sunny day with temps around 77 degrees. Heading up into the mountains to hike up to Willow Lake for the first time this year. Need to get a hike before the near 100 degrees temps arrive tomorrow. Only one car parked when I arrive - yes! It's sunny and in the 60s. As I start up the trail, the aspens are almost fully leafed out. Tons of green vegetation including some bloomers: Bluebells, Forget-me-knots, Groundsel, etc. I see a Western Swallowtail almost right from the start and soon followed by a Western tailed Blue. I also see an Anise Swallowtail, an Orangetip on the trip up to the lake. I'm on the last stretch to the meadow when I see a Flicker land on a tree. I reach the meadow there's still wet in the pond. I hear a few frogs but they are holding out. Around the pond are Buttercups and blooming Strawberries. I continue on listening to the chirps of the ground squirrels but they are hard to find. Also, lots of birds chirping. I make my way thru the woods to Willow Lake....

Sunny morning with temps heading back into the mid-90s. I'm heading up BCC to hike up to Twins Lakes for the 1st time this year. From the AllTrails reports I've read, the trail is pretty much melted out with just a few spots of snow. I also check on Lake Solitude (perhaps I can do the loop) but people are saying the trail is "closed" about 1.5 miles in. Well, does "closed" mean snow OR actually signage saying "Closed". Doesn't matter because there will be no loop done today. I leave around 7am. Wow, the Lake Blanche and Mill B trail heads are already packed! Mill D - Dog Lake has a bunch of cars but Mill D roadside parking has only a few cars - I wonder what the actual trail head looks like. I arrive at Silver Lake and there's probably 6 cars in the lot. It's 46 degrees as I start off. Snow is all melted with some exceptions in more shadier spots. The meadow is soggy  and the lake levels are touching the bottom of the footbridge! Still ...