July 17 - Days Fork (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sun and hot again today - not surprising.

Heading out early to hike Days Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon. I did this hike at the end of Sept last year and it was pretty dry and the flowers bloomed out. Today, there should be green and there should be flowers; that's why I'm heading there.

The trail is an out-n-back covering around 2.75 miles to the mine and 2200ft in elevation. Some sites claim it's 3+ miles, maybe it's the additional walk past the Eclipse Mine to the basin. Regardless, it's a good day hike.

I get going around 8:30am. The temps in the 50s (elevation of ~7400 ft).

The trail is still in the shade as the sun hasn't made it up over the mountains yet. It's a short but steep climb of about a 1/4 mile before the trail levels off a bit. This part of the trail has sections wet meadows and forest.

The meadows are lush with tall vegetation overhanging the trail.. Flowers include Geraniums, Cow Parsnip. Tall Jacob's Ladder, Red Paintbrush, Aspen Fleabane and Monkshood (just in one section). Many of the plants are still in bud.

After 1.5 miles (and 850ft in elevation), I arrive at the "lower meadow". Boy, the meadow looks very different with all the green vegetation covering the dead fall logs cluttering the meadow. (The logs are visible in the Fall and early Spring -- and are probably there from past avalanches.)

The mountains on my right (to the west) are in full sun; those on my left, no there yet.

The trail heads thru the meadow and then starts to climb thru all these wonderful flowers.

I see Western and 2-Tailed Swallowtails and Weidemeyer's Admirals flying as I get high enough to reach the sunnier parts of the meadow.

The trail continues to climb thru smaller open sections and forests. In the openings (with sun and flowers), I see Frits and Clodius Parnassians flying. Lots Frits -- flying orange zipping around the flower.

One of my favorite parts of the trail passes thru a section filled with blooming Lupines - blue everywhere!

I'm finally back in the full sun and can see the ridge line in the distance - the end is near. (yea!)

And the flowers are awesome! It's drier here so its not a big meadow of flowers; rather patches of colors!

I make my way past the old abandoned Eclipse Mine

And head to the basin. It's wonderfully green with vegetation but for some reason not many flowers - I'm kinda disappointed. But that's why exploring is fun wonderful!

I find a nice rock to have lunch.

Time to head back thru the flowers

and the woods enjoying the views back down canyon.

I see a few additional butterflies on the way back.

Milbert's Tortoiseshell

Arrowhead Blue (I think)

Dotted Blue

Zerene Frit (I think)

Mormon Frit

Field Crescent, Mustard Whites, Checkered White, a Mylitta Crescent, Western Tailed Blue, Russets Skipperling, Lilac Bordered Copper, 3 very bright yellow Sulphers (so wish I could've track one down).

Wonderful day!