April 26 - Corner Creek Canyon (Draper)

Today is a great day to have a Friday off. Heading to Corner Canyon which is a Draper City Park. Have no idea what to expect so I'm exciting.

The trailhead is in back of a Mormon Temple with some very huge houses behind. Not sure what people do with all that space.

But off I went with the plan of leaving Coyote Hollow (the trailhead), heading off on the Canyon Hollow Trail, crossing over the canyon on the Burnham Loop Trail, following the Ghost Falls Trail to Ghost Falls and then back on the Canyon Hollow Trail.

The trail started in a very wooded section -- no leaves on the trees yet (not even baby leaves) so very sunny. Spotted some yellow lilies  along the trail.

Butterflies!!!! Spotted a little blue butterfly zipping along, in circles (probably a male patrolling his turf). Finally, after several minutes, he land of course of trail and in a tough place to reach. But I did manage to sneak in on him close enough to snap a picture or 2. (A Spring Azure).

Orangetips were flying (these are little white bfly with orange tips on their wings). These wouldn't stop.

A little while later came up on a creek and there was another Azure and duskywings. There were 2 of them. They'd have their battles in the air until one would fly away. The one I was following would at least land but always facing the opposite direction of me - handy so when I tried to get to the other side, he'd fly off... Constantly! But finally my persistence won, and I was able to get good shots. Rocky Mt Duskwing and very fresh (just emerged); had lots of grey coloring which (unlike humans) wears off with time. Saw several more throughout the hike.

There was also a Mylitta Crescent flying (orange with black marking).  Saw 2 of these on hike.

Crossed over the canyon to the Ghost Falls Trail. The creek sometimes was running and sometimes dry. Don't understand why other than there were several creeks flowing. The hike was uphill (gained a total of 800 ft from the TH). Its mostly open now (just me and sagebrush). The view down the canyon was really nice with the Temple (the large homes) and the mountains in the background.

Got to Ghost Falls - a little waterfall.

Saw a Comma bfly (Hoary or Satyr wouldn't sit still enough to ID) and Mourning Cloak flying. At times they'd have their aerial battles again until one would fly off.

Now here's where I don't know what I did wrong. There were 2 options after passing the falls, left or right. Right would take me back to the trailhead, that wasn't my plan so I went left thinking I was back on the Canyon Hollow Trail. But nope, I was somehow still on the Ghost Falls Trail heading to the another Trailhead. This was fine, just like to know how I got there. Hmmm...

Got to the TH and had to walk briefly was a road back to the other side of the canyon where I met back up with the Canyon Hollow Trail. This was the high point of the trail at 5800ft. Walked the Canyon Hollow until it met the Brock's Point/Clark's Trail (it was a little longer hike so why not). Now this side has alot more trees (still no leaves) and more vegetatin. Reason, it faces NE so it only gets morning sun. Lots of lilies, forget-me-nots (blue), what looked like Virginia Waterleaf (Midwest native) - probably a relative, another little yellow flower and a little pink flowers.

Good day!