I actually was here yesterday late morning but the predicted afternoon showers started as soon as I pulled in the parking lot. I knew I was in trouble when the nice clear valley turned into lots of rain clouds as soon as I crested Parley's Summit heading towards Park City. So the highlight of the trip was seeing an elk as drove back to Salt Lake.
Today, sunny and no afternoon showers in the forecast.
I arrive around 10am; sunny, puffy clouds and low 60s.
It's about 2 weeks since I've last been here. The trail water levels should be much lower. That thought is confirmed when I get to the main trail and the trailside creek is barely flowing. There are a few muddy spots but no water until I get to the "main" creek crossing but the water is low enough to easily hop across.
Dandelions are still the dominant blooming flower although this yellow flower is catching up.
The Pink Geraniums are just starting to bloom.
I see a few Western Tailed Blues and Rocky Mountain Duskywings.
But lots of Two-tailed Swallowtails (20+ today) flying today!
There seems to be less bflies out today than a couple weeks ago but perhaps it's still too cool out.
Lots of birds singing this morning. There's definitely robins in the mix but I can't seem to find any of the other birds.
I finally find one - just not one of the singing variety - a Kestrel!
Common Ringlets, Painted Ladys and Spring Azures.
And I see a lifer - Afranius Duskywing!!
More wild Strawberries and Bluebells (they are actually Chiming bells) are blooming.
And the lupine is about ready.
I arrive at the camp; lots of purple (Larkspur) and yellow composites in the meadow.
I see a hummingbird; green with a black breast. He quickly flies away.
As I pass the pond, there are still no dragonflies out.
I stop to talk to my biker friend - he calls me the bfly lady. We met last year on the trail. Not a lot of folks bike this trail so they tend to be memorable (like the guy with the 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks). I really haven't seen many folks today but he's says there are lots - Memorial Day. I will soon meet them all at some point on the trail. Not hikers, bikers. :( This is my 4th season hiking here and I can count the number of bikers I've seen on 1 hand. Today, there's so many of them! It's a tough trail to bike - lots of dry/wet rocky stream crossings, ruts, narrow washed out trail portions = lots of walking the bike -- but there's lots of folks giving it a shot. I know this is self-centered but I hope this is not a trend; I hope it's just a bunch of folks wanting to get out and the mountain trails are not totally clear yet. Please!
I continue pass the camp.
The bird droppings were a better bfly magnet than the mud puddles today - especially for the Blues.
After the 2 mile mark, there's still not many bflies out. However, I do see my 1st White Checkered Skippers of the year!
I also start seeing Mourning Cloaks - the 10 I saw today were all past the 2 mile mark - and a Hoary Comma, a Juba Skipper and a Mylitta Crescent.
The trail which was very flooded last time is for the most part clear and I make it past my turnaround point from my previous trip. Mostly Spring Beauties, a few Yellow Glacier Lilies and Yellow Violets blooming in this previously flooded section.
In the drier section, I find this flower - I think its in the Onion Family.
I've seen Green Tiger Beetles earlier today but I see this darker one up near the 3 mile mark.
I decide to turn around when I get to the 3 mile mark. No real reason why.
On the way back, I finally catch up with some birds - Towhee and a Flicker.
At the pond, I finally see a few dragonflies!
Great Day! (21 bfly species today!)
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