May 26 - Farmington Creek Trail

Overcast morning but in mid-60's. Heading to Farmington Canyon to walk the Farmington Creek Trail. This is a 3.2 mi round-trip w/ 1178' elevation. Its rated as one of the best 60 hikes within 60 miles of SLC (accordingly to the author of a book I have). Its said to be the best in early spring and then in fall. After walking the trail, I understand why - trees w/ leaves! The trail follows Farmington Trail -- actually about 100-200ft above it. The trail is surrounded by tree - scrub oak, maples and at the higher parts pines. So although I can hear the creek (and it roaring with the spring runoff), I can't see it for most of the trail. There are openings and very exposed sections that give peeks of the river but mostly they are good looks of the canyon and a good view of Farmington, Farmington Bay and Antelope Island.

As with all trails so far, its starts uphill. The creek is to the right. Hard to see because the scrub oak and maples have leafed out. To the left, its uphill and trees (or in some spots, rocky slopes). There are bunches of allium blooming -- either wild garlic or onion, I suspect garlic -- w/ little light pinkish/purple flowers.

Its everywhere on the first part of the trail. There are also yellow daisy-like flowers here and there.

At times, I can see the creek below but its through branches and leaves, though not really good looks. Little lizards are moving through the woods. Finally, an opening with a good view of the canyon and look back at Farmington.

Finally, I get a good look at a dragonfly in UT. It is a large blue dragonfly. I think it just emerged as it's body is bent and its also not flying long distances. Guess I'll see what it looks like when I come back through.

I have my first creek crossing, this is not Farmington Creek but a smaller creek that feeds into Farmington. It has a small waterfall to the left and a drop-off to the right. I have to rock hop to cross.

Some of the sections are quite exposed with a rocky cliff on the left and a nice drop to the right.

And then back into the forest again. The forest opens at times to see the creek w/ its rapids and small waterfalls. There were a bunch of flower trees blooming -- one looked like a cherry tree (choke cherry maybe) But they all smelled great!!

Snake! It quickly crosses in front of me. He was moving fast and so was my heart! It was smaller than the snake I saw going up Grandeur Peak, but looked like the same kind (which I haven't figure out yet). At least its not a Rattlesnake (whew)!

There's a second creek crossing, this one is bigger than the first. Then its the home stretch to a pretty good view of a pretty large waterfall. There is a way to get down to it but its pretty steep. I'll just stay high. After the waterfall, there was a small side trail than led down to the creek (pretty level trail). This would be an excellent camping spot! It had the creek right next to it.

It was about at this point, I was thinking that this was a pretty easy 1000ft elevation change. Then there was a fork in the trail. To the right, the trail stayed close to the river but got a little sketchy. The left, well, here was a fair bit of the remaining elevation change. I knew it was heading to the campground (which is the ending point). I thought about not going but I was optimistic that at the top was a nice little meadow with flowers, so to satisfy my curiosity I up went.

When I got to the top, I was greeted by a dirt road and camper! Oh well!

At least I got to see a Solomon's Seal in bloom. I've spotted these plants on multiple hikes, but this is the first time for a bloom. (This is plant is also found in Midwest woodlands.)

The trip back was sunnier (it was afternoon). There were more bflies zipping around.(Especially around the creeks.) I think for the day I saw, Cabbage White, Western Tailed Blue, Azure, Anise Swallowtail (kinda white one), Rocky Mt Duskywing, Juba Skippers, a Northern Cloudywing (which is new for the year - yea!) and the prize of the hike, a Dotted Blue! On the way out, I saw that the buckwheat plants were blooming near the beginning of the trail. Many Blue species love buckwheat. On the way back, there were some skippers and whites flying so I stopped to check the buckwheat. And sure enough on one of the flowers near trail was a blue. Of course, he flew and landed on another plant higher. Walking up was not option (too steep), so I tossed small rocks up the hill to try to get it to move to a better location. Of course, he goes higher :) Tried several time w/o success. But I did manage to get a few pictures thanks to super zoom.

I checked the other buckwheat plants on the way down but nothing.

More dragonflies out. Same as the one I saw on the way up the trail. No bent ones and they are not landing; just cruising along.

And those rustling in the woods that I thought were just lizards moving around, .... well not all lizards, I saw a baby snake too!

Also saw a hummingbird moth

and as strange as it may seem, a old black pickup truck on the downside of the trail. Seems that this truck, back in the 50-60s, failed to stay on the switchbacks of the dirt road going up the canyon. Oops - can't think it was a happy ending.

But this trip for me was a happy ending!