The 2022 Utah Adventure

Only 93 degrees today so heading up to hike Lambs Canyon - it's been awhile since I've hiked there. I arrive around 3:30 and there's only 1 car in the lot. I find those people crossing the bridge; they were laid out on the bridge just chilling. The trail is mostly sun but a good portion of shade; will be mostly shady on the way back down. Tons of vegetation; typical overgrown by this time of year including Cow Parsley Monk's Hood and many more. The Thimbleberries are forming fruit now. I see Western Tigers, Mustard Whites and Mormon  and other Frits flying on the lower portion. It deadens as I get higher but I do find a very productive flowery spot about mid-way. There I add a Blue Copper,  Parnassian. There are other things flying but they are flying. It's a quiet hike as I only see 1 downhill guy - not sure where he's parked because the girls have the car (maybe they are waiting for him). And I see another guy as I reach the top. (I also see him on my way down...

 Another 100 degree day in the forecast. I'm up early and heading up BCC to hike up to Catherine's Pass via Lake Mary, Martha, and  Catherine. First time I've done this hike this year. I arrive at the trail head just after 7am. Not too many folks around except construction folks. I gear up and start up the trail. Tons of flowers blooming right now - Lupine, Bluebells, Paintbrush, Horsemint, Geraniums, Columbine, etc. So beautiful even though there is no sun. There are some Pink Monkeyflowers in a water spot about 1/2 way up. Steady climb but my legs are pretty heavy this morning for some reason. But before I know it I arrive at Lake Mary. Definitely don't want to stand still too long because the mosquitoes will get you. I continue around the lake and onto Lake Martha - no moose today. Then it's into the woods where there are Heart-leafed Arnica and more Bluebells (and Asters) blooming. On the next switchback, I'm out in the open again with lots of flowers. Soon ...

 It's a "cool" day at only 95 degrees. It's time for an after work hike to either Twin Lakes or Willow Lake. Aiming for Twin Lakes but it all depends what the storm clouds look like. Heading up the canyon, the trail heads are amazingly empty; perhaps people are just done for the day (beating the heat). Unfortutnately there are some big thunder heads as I near Silver Fork. Definitely choosing the shorter Willow Lake today. And hey, I haven't been up there in quite some time. Lucky me, I'm the only one at the trail head. As I start up the trail, I'm surrounded by Horsemint and Geraniums mostly. I quickly spot a pair of Downy Woodpeckers. Mated pair or parent/child I'm not sure but they were sticking together. I see a bunch of white moths as I start up the 1st (and hardest switchback). There are also Ringlets flying. The rest of the way up, I see Mustard White, Parnassians, a Western tiger Swallowtail and Northern Cloudywings. Also a Northern Flicker befo...

Sunny day with highs in the mid-90s. Heading up to hike the Mormon Trail this morming. The road is wet this morning; we need the rain and it should help with the butterflying - perhaps. The trail from the bridge to the actual trail is horrible this morning. The rain/dew has the tall grasses soaked and fallen over the trail. Hard to see where to step and I'm getting soaked. Trying to rescue my key fob from my front pants pocket from the water. When I exit the grasses into the muddy forest, my pants and shirt are soaked - so glad it's not too chilly this morning. All that water and the shade is not going to help any butterflies trying to get going this morning. And yes, very quiet morning. But the 1st butterfly species I find is a GSF (male); one of many today. In fact, it's the Frits and Northern Checkerspots (in a lesser role) that rule the trail this morning. Even the meadow is quiet. There's a little pickup past the meadow but not much. I definitely need to start comi...

 Sunny day with temps around 100 degrees - slight chance of thunderstorms (and hopefully some rain) Heading up to Red Pine Lake for the 1st time in several years. I arrive around 7am to a parking lot that is already 1/2 full. Bathroom doors have a sign stating that come next year, it may cost $20 to use these trails for a week or $60 for the full year. Boo! But they do need to do something with the crowds. Only works if they enforce it though. But I probably won't be back. I gear up and start up the trail. I cross the bridge stopping to check out the water as it sounds so wonderful. I then start up the first hill. Lots of White Geraniums, Thimbleberry (in bloom), Roses and Columbine. There are a few muddy spots the trail is clear. Many chipmunks and squirrels to be seen. Soon I reach the trail intersection. I spot to check out the stream. And then a short uphill to the foot bridge for a quick stop to look at the Falls. The Falls is now called Gloria Falls -- it got it's name ei...

 Sunny day with highs in the upper 90s. The plan was to hike up to Red Pine Lake this morning with an early start. However, my stomach was feeling all that great so I hung back just to make sure. Because of the delay, Red Pine was postponed and the Mormon Trail was the destination. On the way there, near Little Dell, there's small wildfire burning. It's relatively small in size (so it seems). I can see no flames; just smoke. The State knows about it as a highway sign says not to report. Just hope they get it under control because the day heats up and any winds start blowing. I still got an early start; at the trail by 7:30. It's still in the 40s (near 50) but the sun is out. Should be a quiet start to the day as the trail will be in the shade (until the meadow). I start up the trail. The thistles are now blooming (or starting). As I cross the dry creek bed I stop for a hummingbird that's slowly moving around the creek bed. I was until he disappears. A little farther, I ...