June 22 - Silver Lake to Solitude Lake to Twin Lakes Loop

Heading to higher elevations today -- the Solitude ski resort. Last time I was here was for snowshoeing around Silver Lake in Feb (quite frozen and snowy). Definitely a warmer day today around 53 degrees when I got here around 9:30 (sunny). I got one of a last couple parking spots in the "desired" area close to the Interpretive Center.

The trail circles Silver Lake (ele ~8700ft). On the South and West sides, it is a boardwalk over the wetter portions of Silver Lake. I head around the lake in a counterclockwise direction as that where the trail to Solitude Lake begins.

I notice a small group of people just ahead taking photos -- I know this is great moose habitat (there's even warning signs as they are very dangerous creatures) so perhaps..... Yes, moose!!!

Three to be exact! Two older males (still have velvet on their growing antlers) and a young one. He is definitely a male as he has little "button" antlers. Hehas to be at least a year one otherwise he'd still be with Mom. Just a bunch of bachelor moose laying in the grass on a Sat morning ....people watching.

Continue on. Quite a few people; mostly families with smaller kids -- which is nice to see. At around 0.4 miles is my turnoff to Solitude Lake. From here it is about 1.5miles to the Lake thru an aspen/fir/spruce forest. Lots of good flowers along the way: Meadowrue, bluebells (some with the same caterpillars on them as I saw at Lambs Canyon), Geraniums (white and red), a yellow flowers, lupine (some are blooming), white columbine, white & yellow violets, heart-leafed arnica and red paintbrush (just to name a few). Pretty quiet -- I think I ran into 1 biker and one group of people that looked to be on some group tour. The trail crosses under a ski lift -- no one going up (but the lift is running).

When I get to Solitude Lake (9040ft), I did not arrive to solitude; there was a group of boy scouts and one was making a "Caw Caw" sound which was OK cause he was having fun, but he just wouldn't stop.

Anyway, the lake is nestled in on 3 "sides" by mts; the 4th is open to a ski maintenance road. (I'm really close to the maintenance trail.) The lake is surrounded by lots of bluebells, paintbrush, geraniums and something that looked a little like white candytuft.

The trail continues around the lake and reconnects to the maintenance trail and then starts the uphill climb to Twin Lakes. There are really pretty little patches of flowers (reds, yellows, whites and blues) on the far side of the lake against the high cliffs.

Its a bit of a climb; feels more than just 500ft. Somehow I missed the old mine on the way up. There are patches of snow (pretty big patches) but all off the trail.

Finally, Twin Lakes! (Twin Lakes used to be 2 lakes until the dam was built and made a single lake) I'm above the lake on the east side. The south side nestles in mountains with snow. Looks really pretty (very alpine)

The north side is a big dam.

I finally see a butterfly!! Its a Chryxus Arctic. There are quite a few flying up here around 9500 ft.

I follow the trail down to the lake. Quite a few people down here. I find a spot to grab a quick lunch and then escape the crowd and walk down the east side of the lake to the other side. Have to do a little bit of scrambling over some rocks and trees but majority of the trail is flat and easy. The views of the mt and lake are much better down at lake level. I get to my destination at the other end of the lake; perfectly quiet over here. The only thing I hear are the sounds of a waterfall somewhere.

The lake level is really low (big beach). I rest for a bit and then decide to find the waterfall. That requires a hop over a small creek, a small wet area and around a hill and then I'm stopped by snow and snow that no one has walked thru yet. Based on past experience, not going there. So I just go on top of the hill to see the small waterfall.

Time to head back. More people now and as I head down even more people heading up the rocky road (I'm glad I went to Solitude Lake first, the trail is much better). I see a Sara Orangetip and Milberts on the way down.

I get back to Silver Lake and finish the loop. (I wonder if the moose are still around.) On the opposite end of Silver Lake from the Interpretive Center there is a patch of Elephant's Head (because the flower looks like a elephant's head complete with trunk),

shooting star (tiny), and an Orchid (I think its white bog orchard). I can't believe everyone is just walking past and not even noticing these beautiful little flowers!!

See a Mourning Cloak -- a little girl was at first scared of this thing flying at her (she almost took it out with her fishing pole); but once until it landed, she was OK with it.

I get back to the Interpretive Center side and 2 of the moose were still around including the small one. Both laying in the grasses. I got to watch the small one get up, check out the crowd and then wandered over to the other male. The young one smelled the older one and walked a few steps away and laid down again.

Very cool!

June 21 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

Back to the Mormon Pioneer Trail -- I've got to finish this trail.

I get to the parking area around 9:30 as before there are a bunch of folks (mostly teenagers w/ parents camping).

Its around 63 degrees and much drier than it was 2-3wks ago -- probably because we haven't had rain since before June started (oh the desert life). The creek is no longer flowing -- just a dried bed of rock and dirt but there are plenty of flowers blooming including lupine (I just like lupine). Also blooming are meadowrue, geranium, virgin bowers, white columbine and lots of others.

And there are butterflies - lots of them!! Somehow, I just know this is going to be slow going once again.

I'm greeted by a tiny bfly called a Garita Skipperling (orange-brown).

Along the trail I find Common Ringlets (lots), a variety usual blues  w/ the addition of the Boisduval's Blue (new of the season), Mourning Cloaks (new and old/beaten), Milberts, the dreadedYellow Swallowtail (yet to stop and be ID's), duskywing, Northern Cloudywing, White Checkered Skippers, Relict Frit, Sara Orangetips and Hoary Comma. A regular butterfly bonanza!!

But there were more; new ones that had me stopping constantly and flinching with every fluttering movement past my eyes. There were Field Crescents, Northern Checkerspots, Sagebrush Checkerspots, a Sulpher, a Painted Lady, a Gray Hairstreak, Lilac-bordered Copper (lifer! And reflecting its name, its outer lower wing does have a lilac-border.)

And at least a couple other frits that I just can't ID (these are tough). Oh, I can't forget the Weidemeyer's Admiral - very numerous and amazing to watch fly, the black w/ white stripe plays with the eyes like a spinning top when they are flying.

The first mile took me one hour -- just like before. This trail dooms me to snail-like progress. :) (but that's OK)

At one point, I saw a pretty beaten up orangetip fluttering like a kite from a small flower. It looked like it was just blowing in the wind swirling around. I thought that it was caught in a spider's web but there was no web. I grabbed it between my fingers, and thinking it was dead let it go but it fluttered away. Not sure why it swirling around, perhaps it was drunk on nectar, perhaps its tongue got stuck?! But it was very strange.

The pond still had water and many more dragonflies. Got a few good looks at them this time.

I finally start to make some time as the bflys have lessened and I have calmed the instinct to stop at everyone I see.

Get to my bench for lunch. The little pond is now basically a mud puddle and bflys love mud!
I go down for a peek -- and there are plenty of bflys enjoying the mud bath: there's a frit and a checkerspot wings out totally flat soaking up the sun rays and the salts from the mud.

There's also a Milberts and Ringlet fluttering around. As well as a Mexican Cloudywing (lifer - yea!) and Russet's Skipperling. Can never go wrong with a good mud puddle.

I need to finish this hike as it can't be more than 1/2 mile to the Big Mt overlook so I grab my pack and proceed uphill (most of the elevation is on this short stretch). I make it to the top to a wonderful overlook of SLC.

On the way back I see a large woodpecker, looks like a larger version of a downy woodpecker.

At this one wet area, there were these blue bflys, based on the markings I have no clue - perhaps it is the way the sun was reflecting off the bfly and mud but they look like a new species (not likely). And at the same spot was a white damselfly -- never seen anything like it.

If seeing all the bflys I've seen today wasn't good enough, there's this large white bfly that I've seen flying at 4 different hiking locations including here. It never stops (seems to be a running theme). Today I've seen over 10 of these. And today was my lucky day! One finally stopped. Its a Clodius Parnassian - love the yellow head

.

Definitely not a speedy day again but a fantastic day!!

And the day wasn't over. As I drive out on this dirt road (open pasture land), I get stopped by 4 horses in the middle of the road. I didn't want to try to go around them because I thought I'd spook them. So I try heading straight for them; but they didn't budge - they just stared at me. I tried hooking my horn, nothing. I inched closer, nothing. What to do, what to do.

Then a huge dump trunk comes up behind me. Now I'm sure he deals with the stubborn horses pretty regularly and he decides to go around me - at least I left him room:) The horses are still not moving but he continues to inch forward pushing the situation. It looked like he was about ready to hit one of the horses, when 2 of them took off to the right and the 3rd horse moved a little to the right but found himself in front of the truck. Now the horse staring at me looks PO'd. Finally the 3rd horse takes a step back and the truck goes by. The 2 horses are still in the middle of the road looking at me. So I back up and go around. When we get back to the paved road, the truck stops and the guy waves to me. Thanks! If he hadn't come, I'd probably still be sitting on that road waiting for the horses to move :)

June 16 - Red Pine Lake Trail (Little Cottonwood Canyon)

I've been wanting to do the Red Pine Lake trail for a while now - but its ends at almost 10K in elevation and I'm worried about the snow at the upper parts. But today's the day!

I get to the trailhead (7658ft) at 9:30 and all the spots are already filled, so I'm the first car to park on the road.

Red Pine Trail is approximately 3miles long and 1900ft in elevation.

The trail starts from the parking lot thru a pine/aspen forest along an old road. It quickly crosses the Little Cottonwood Creek (bridge). And then oh my are there tons of plants and flowering bushes. I'm just creeping along because there is so much to see (and most isn't even in bloom yet). But the white geraniums, virgin bowers (purple vine), baneberry, what I think is elderberry are in full bloom. (Many of these I see on most of the trail.) There are lots of mint plants (perhaps bergamot not yet with buds on them) which is going to look great when they start to bloom; and many countless other plants in this area.

At about .8 miles, I come to a small footbridge that crosses the White Pine Fork (creek); its moving pretty good - rocks interrupting the water flow cause eddies and rapids. After crossing the bridge I enter a small wet woodland; the shadows are great!

And there are ferns coming up and other familiar plants like Jacob's Ladder and others I know but can't pull the names from my brain (I really need to sit down and ID the flower pictures that I've taken.)

I see my 1st UT chipmunk! I think I see more squirrels on this trail than every trail before -- perhaps because it is so lush.

There are purple/blue larkspur, meadow-rue, some kind of pea plant in bloom; tiny hidden waterfalls. This is fun!

I see a fritillary (orange w/ black stripes) on the ground. And I'm happy I recognize this one as a Mormon Frit as there are so many different types of Frits in the West and just subtle differences between them. Its my 1st Mormon Frit of the year -- and the 1st bfly of the trail.

The trail continues upwards and for a small section is exposed to the downside of the canyon. And with that, a wonderful view of Little Cottonwood Canyon (all beautifully green) and the city in the background.

I continue and spot a beautiful white columbine in full bloom -- I've never seen a white one before.

A little further down the trail, I see one (w/ tails) and just about ready to bloom; it looked like a white comet. These were the only columbine I see.

The uphill gets a little steeper and the trail smaller, rockier and there's water running down the center of it. In most spots just a trickle. The mountains in front of me still have snow on them.

I see my one and only paintbrush of the day -- actually 2 nice red ones (kinda dullish red) in the same spot.

I can hear a creek again and there's snow!

There is a small footbridge that goes right and over the creek -- this is the trail to Maybird Gulch. I'll tackle that another day. The trail getting tricky here as its a little flooded. There are some wooden "steps" to hop across to try and stay dry (but my shoes are already wet).

Then its time to rock hop over the creek. On the other side, a pile of snow covers the trail. Two guys "ski" down in their hikers.

I start crossing the snow; its slippery! I fall forward after only a couple steps :( (This is when I wish I brought my hiking poles.) But continue to a clear spot only to find more snow. I let another couple (w/ poles) lead the way back into the snow. I get a little further and fall again. I can't tell how much further the snow continues so I decide to head back (made it 2.2 mile and to 8900ft) -- almost there.

I turned around and head back thru the snow (and downhill); manage to fall 3 times on butt! :) My hands are freezing (being elbow deep in snow doesn't help). And a brilliant person that I am, I decide to try walking on the snow that has no footprints (probably just as hard as the slippery stuff everyone is walking over - right?). I take one step and end up almost to my hip in snow -- all I could do is laugh! So I, as gracefully as I can, slide down the rest of the snow. (well, not so much graceful).

A guy who slid down after me (and hopefully he didn't see my little adventure), said that this was the only part of the trail with snow; the lake was clear. Oh well, for another day. (And I'm coming back with poles!!)

So its downhill, through the muddy, wet, rocky part -- I see a Northern Cloudywing in this section.

Its sunnier now and there's more bflys around. Swallowtails, WTB, Azures, Orangetips, Milberts and a Mourning Cloaks.

Also a lot more people heading up.

I'll be back!

June 14 - Little Cottonwood Creek Trail

Decided on a quick after work hike up Little Cottonwood Creek again. Its such a nice day with a high of a mere 75 degrees - feels like heaven after 2wks in the 90s (hot and no rain).

I get to the trail at 3:30 hoping to catch some bflys since its an hour early than my walk last week. (And I did surprisedly well last week.)

The trail starts off great with a white bfly landing on a flower -- its a Large Marble. And then a beautiful black butterfly w/ white stripes on the outer wing (on top, its black with a white border) and brilliant orange eyes -- a Weidemeyer's Admiral (first time for the year).

See over 10 Admirals on my walk scattered over the entire length of the trail. Swallowtails are also flying in good number. Almost had a head-on collision with one on my way back but I ducked and he swerved just in time. (Actually, I kinda wish we would have collided and then I could finally determine whether this is a Western Swallowtail or a Two-tailed Swallowtail... but I'll continue to wonder.)

Still lots of allium (pink) blooming. I only find 2 lupine plants (saw more scraggly ones last week). They are still blooming but many seed pods on them.

The bushes filled with white flowers are still blooming (and smelling great); many different types for plants; one looks like a great nectar plant for butterflies but unfortunately nothing on it. Maybe earlier in the day when the sun is higher.

The Solomon's seal are also blooming now.

I see several duskywings --- one that must've got hit by a bike as it was struggling to stand up. Two orange flyers, probably coppers  but they didn't land.

The creek is still flowing pretty good but it is definitely dropping.

At the turnaround point, I stop for a break by the creek before continuing back down.

Not a lot of folks out today. Not sure if its because I'm an hour earlier (and people are just not off work yet) or just because its Friday and people are heading out of town. But I like it! (Its nice to not have to worry about speeding downhill bikers.)

I sped up the trail not really stopping for much (just trying to get a bit of real exercise), but on the way down, slowed it down a bit. I stopped in one area with quite a few dragonflies. Couple different types flying (and of course not stopping). One is either an 8 or 12 spotted skimmer -- couldn't since the wings tips to determine which. Also chased a Hoary comma here.

Back in the parking lot, a guy (getting ready to ride with either his girlfriend/wife) asked me if I had binoculars (he thought I'd might since I was hiking). Unfortunately, I've been using 2 different packs and they were naturally in my other pack. But he pointed out what looked like Mt goat on the cliffs above the parking lots. And sure enough they looked like they could be. I pulled out my super zoom; unfortunately they were just rocks :(

Nice ending to a good day!

June 9 - Mirror Lake Scenic Byway

Heading for the high country today -- the High Unitas specifically. This mt range is older than the Wasatch which I can see from SLC. Additionally, the Unitas are unique in that they orient East-West (not the normal North/South). High peaks here = 13-14K. Curious to see the snow levels and if it is ready to hike yet. (Guy at work says, probably not ready.)

Heading to Kamas which is east of Park City (Exit 155 - RT 32S). This is the farthest east I've been on Hwy 80 since I've been here. Its a big climb to get to Parley's Summit (just west of Park City) and then it gets pretty curvy after Park City - but pretty country.

I exit south on 32 and pass Rockport State Park (which is a big reservoir). After passing the big lake, I just found where I want to live! It's ranchland -- wide open space surrounded by hills -- w/ some wet areas. There are Sandhill Cranes on the land. There horses w/ colts, cows, chickens and goats. There are old farmhouses and barns -- the really old ones that lean towards one side, w/ missing boards -- wonderful pieces of history. I love it! Problem is that its a 50min drive to work (one-way) and when it snows, I'd never get to work as 80 shuts down. Its 2013 -- where are the teleports, the Jetsons,...?!

As I pass thru the town of Oakley (little town with a diner -- that looks pretty cool) all I smell are wonderful lilacs -- and they are big lilac bushes.

Kamas is just a small. Probably does most of its business from scenic byway.

Today, I'm not looking for a big hike, just small walks to check things out.

My 1st stop is a Creek. I see Purplish Coppers and a Field Crescent (a 1st for the year) and Common Ringlet on my way down. Lots of wet/muddy areas near the creek -- water must be receding a bit.

I stopped at this one pull-out to see the Provo River. The area near the river is all rocks -- not boulder rocks but flat rocks - tiered rock slabs (something like that). The water is skimming over the surface -- hard to explain - but it looks cool.

Water is moving fast and there are little waterfalls. I walk probably 1/2 mile upstream to check out the little waterfalls. (I see a Comma bfly -- I think this is a Green Comma -- which would be a lifer for me.)

The big waterfall is at the Provo River Falls Overlook -- its probably a 40-50ft falls.

I make quick stop a Lost Lake.

The snow starts appearing here. And then the real meat of the climbing begins --- all the way to Bald Mt Pass at 10,759 ft. Wonderful overlook.

I also stop at the Bald Mt Picnic area -- which has a great view of Bald Mt. (of course). But the area is not fully open because of snow. In fact, I had to cross a tiny little stream that has cut thru the dirt road. There were 2 other cars there. I thought about climbing thru the snow to get a better look at the mt -- it wasn't too far to a small snow-free patch but when the snow was practically knee deep, thought better of that and moved on.

Up here, the glacier lilies are still hanging on.

 Finally reached my destination of Mirror Lake (the scenic byway continues probably for another 20miles but saving that for another day). As I enter the parking area, I hear frogs -- sounds like Chorus Frogs. There are quite a number of people here but still plenty of parking spaces. I have lunch near the creek and then go investigate the frogs.

I find the little pond that they're calling from -- very muddy here. And of course when I get close, they quit calling (like normal). I find 2 frogs swimming around and take some photos and about review -- they were really 4 frogs (hey, its spring!).

Decide to walk around Mirror Lake (ele 10,050ft); its only 1.5miles around. It sits under a large mt which is Bald Mt.

The trail starts on a boardwalk -- and there are many, many boardwalks around the lake -- as it is very wet as there are streams coming down the mts pretty much everywhere. There are streams over the grassy areas, thru trees; and all of this water is heading into the lake. (Like the mountain is weeping.) In some parts, the water is flowing so hard, I can see the little channel that was dug out from the water.

Yes, very wet. Where there isn't a boardwalk, there are a few parts of the trail that is either very muddy or underwater.

With all this water, there are plenty of buttercup flowers everywhere.

I pass plenty of fishermen (and women) going around the trail; fishing for Brown and Rainbow Trout. Wonderful views of different mts as I walk around. The lake is named Mirror Lake because of the reflections of the mts in the lake; however, today its a bit windy....

On the other side of the lake, the trail not only has muddy, wet sections but also sections still covered in snow -- just adds to the adventure.

Good walk; good scenery. And now its time to leave the 68degree air for 95 degrees in SLC.

(Definitely, hikeable in the lower sections, still need a few more weeks in the upper sections.)

June 7 - Lamb's Canyon

Returned to Lambs Canyon to see what new flowers are blooming (don't want to miss the big event) and of course any new bfly species.

Got a late start (around noon) but its Friday and the parking lot was empty (I get the whole trail to myself -- perhaps I might get lucky and see a moose.)

I check the muddy area to see what's puddling -- the usual Rocky Mt Duskywing, Azure, WTB, Northern Cloudywings. Some of these bflys are pretty old and beaten up.

The trail through the woodland is bright due to the midday sun. The W. Virgin's Bower (purple flowered vine) is still blooming. The Western Meadow-rue is now blooming - the leaves look like columbine. It has tiny green flowers - looks like a little wind chime. And a white flower that looks like Baneberry is also blooming. The flowering trees/shrubs are all in bloom with their white flowers -- and boy do some of them smell good!!!

A lot more plants have come up but are not yet blooming -- lots of lupine (and its not as far along as the lupine I saw last week on the Pioneer Trail -- probably because this location is at a higher elevation and it more of a woodland).

The trail maintenance folks have been out and cleared the 4 logs that were blocking the trail earlier.

See one probably older, deep moose print on the trail. And that's the only sign of moose for me today.

Bflys are about: orangetips, blues, duskywings, milbert's tortoiseshells, and brown elfin. I see for the 1st time this year a West Coast Lady (similar to the Painted Lady and American Lady in the Midwest). I also see a Sheridan's Hairstreak - I almost pass him off as a Brown Elfin but something told me to take a closer look -- he's a bit beaten but his green color still shows through!

I also see a couple of caterpillars. The plant is definitely their host plant as it is eaten and "they've left their marks" on the plant.

Kinda look like a crescent or checkerspot caterpillar but I'm not sure which kind. I see several of the same caterpillars today in several spots on the trail. Curious to know whether this is the second brood (ones that have already flew and laid eggs) or just the 1st.

The trail, for some reason, is much harder than it was a few weeks back. My legs just don't want to climb -- perhaps they're just too beaten from the fallen earlier in the week and are rebelling (and I wouldn't blame them cause they look horrible) but I push upwards.

The snow is gone from the trail. There's one spot of snow near the top - off the trail but just barely. And at the viewpoint, a small patch of snow hangs on.

Lots of brown elfins especially near the top (8000 ft) -- probably because they are just emerging.

No flowers yet. But they've grown. I need to check again in a week or two.

On the way down, I get to watch a female orangetip nectaring on some flowers. A male flyies by and does some courting. Don't know if he won her heart - but they both flew away.

June 4 - Little Cottonwood Creek Trail

It was such a nice day, decided to take a hike down Little Cottonwood Creek trail instead of going to the gym (fresh air vs stuffy air). Last time I walked this trail, there was still snow in the shady section and the creek was not even flowing down at the beginning of the trail - siphoned off for our drinking water.

Got to the trailhead around 4:30 - more than enough time to walk the 6mi before dark. The lupine are in bloom here. Some look like they could use a drink of water - a little dry a raggedly.

Surprisingly, there are a few butterflies flying. (Wasn't expecting that.) There's a few duskywings in the area of the lupines. This could be something other than the Rocky Mt Duskywing. (finally!).

I can also hear the creek, very loud; it's roaring from all of the melting snow in the higher elevations. It was nice to see the rapids, little waterfalls.

There were even little seeps in the woods from the run-off -- I could here them gurgling in spots.

See a few buttercups; a couple of Swallowtails and a Spring Azure.

Get to the end of the trail - the snow that was here last time is long gone. The old brick building foundation is hard to find covered by leafed-out trees/brush. I have my supper here; just me and the creek.

On the way back, a lot more bikes on the trail. But still pretty quiet.

Saw a hummingbird hopping from blue penstemons taking a drink. When I got close enough, he hid in a tree.

About a mile from the end from a wonderful walk, I give myself a souvenir; I slipped on a gravelly section landing on both knees. Ow!! Big bruised goose-egg on the inside of my right (and a little scrape); hit a couple rocks with my left shin (2 big goose-eggs) and tore up my left knee. Owwww! (Not to mention ripping a hole in my left pant leg.) At least I have a 1st aid kit to clean up the damage. :) Definitely, NOT the way to add color to your legs for the summer.

I need a pain-killing German Chocolate Brownie from Kneaders - yummie!!

June 1 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

Normal Sat morning with too many hikes on the wish list -- today I'm going for a leg stretching ~9.6 miles and 1400ft elevation change - the Mormon Pioneer Trail. From what I've read, the hike follows the trail that was first cut by the Donner-Reed party. The Mormon pioneers also followed the route a  year later. A popular trail, it was used by the Pony Express, miners, California gold seekers, the West's original telegraph line.

This 9.6 miles took the Donner-Reed party 13 days and the Mormons 6 day. And for me, it was the longest 7.44 mile hike of my life today - 5hrs 30+ minutes. No, wagon trail, slow mules for me,...there was just too many BUTTERFLIES!!! But what a great day! Added Common Ringlet, Large Marble, Western Branded Skipper AND the most impressive (and a lifer for me), the Relict Frittilary to my 2013 list!! Hard to make progress when there are too many things to check out. :)

Add that to Blues (Silvery and Western Tailed Blues, Spring Azure), Rky Mt Duskywings, Northern Cloudywing, Brown Elfin, Sara Orangetip (yes still, and today, they were stopping - yea!), Juba Skippers, Common Checkered Skippers, Milbert's Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Mourning Clock, Anise Swallowtail, Yellow Swallowtail (unidentified), Large Yellow Sulpher (unidentified), and Satyr Comma (and possibly a Field Crescent, I just got a quick look and off it went -- and I couldn't find it nor anyone else from the family); flowers, mud puddles and fields to explore - no wonder it took so long.

Started near Jeremy Ranch at the Mormon Flat Trailhead (5945ft ele). The drive through ranchland w/ flowing streams had me hopeful that this was the type of trail I was looking for; not one that goes up a mountain but one that goes through a valley w/ sagebrush (not woodland plants). (There wasn't an option to explore the roadsides as it was all private land w/ "No trespassing" signs everywhere.)

The trailhead parking was full but not necessarily with hikers, but a group of campers -- looked like some father-son church outing. The trail goes up  Little Emigration Canyon up to Big Mountain Pass. The trail started following a nicely moving creek through the brush. Then things open up to sagebrush type vegetation. Big hills on both sides -- the left side was mostly aspen trees.

Very quickly I see a tan-orange bfly flying - a Common Ringlet.

First time this year and in UT. (I have seen this one in WI, CO, CA and WY - same species but they do have regional variations - i.e., they look different). After this section, the trail begins to follow a small, slow moving stream. Still in the aspens but following the canyon bottom - exactly what I was hoping for.

Lots of blues flying in this section. And lupine and meadowrue are just about ready to bloom. The trail is mostly a small dirt path (which at times further down the trail, becomes partially washed out or deadends into a dried creekbed. It was early on where I saw an orange frittillary.  Definitely a lesser frit -- maybe purplish but not sure they fly here. Hmmm...

(After getting home, this is a Relict Fritillary. A lifer for me! Yea! These bflys only fly in a small portion of the Rocky Mts - N Ut, Far Western ID, and the Yellowstone/Tetons areas of MT & WY.)

The trail crossed the stream several times and with that, there was lots of muddy sections to check out for bflies -- mostly blues, duskywings and the Northern Cloudywings. And I stop at each one just in case. Lots of meadows to explore as well.

The frit is flying throughout the lower part of the trail.

Lots of neat flowers too - not sure what this is but it did catch my eye.

Finally came upon a pond (there's a old beaver dam behind it).

This was one of the campsites for the Donner-Reed party. Lots of dragonflies flying -- but they're landing on plants. Hard to take pix since my camera decides to focus on the skinny plant rather than the skinny dragonfly. Can't see any fish or frogs. Will check on the way back.

Sara Orangetips still flying. Seems like a long flight season but its just that the trails are higher in elevation so the bfly start flying later in the year. And today, they are stopping (maybe because its still cool out) and I finally have time to get really good looks. :)

After the beaver dam, there are whites flying. Fortunately, one stops. It has beautiful gold marbling on the lateral side of its hindwing -- its a Large Marble. (New for the year. I've gotten a quick look at one in CA before but this time, I get a better look -- actually a couple of times.)

After the 2 mile mark (about 6300ft), plants start to transition back to some of the "normal" early spring flowers that I've been seeing: waterleaf, spring beautys, yellow violets, etc. And the Common Checkered Skippers appear -- small, white patterns bflys. They seem to be in 2 different sizes and patterns. I'm thinking the smaller one might be a different type of checkered skipper. (After getting home, they are the same species -- just a lot of variation in them.)

I also start seeing Milberts Tortoiseshells. Lots of them but just in this one section of trail. Must be the pretty good habitat (w/ hostplant) for them.

Also start seeing skippers - mostly Juba.

I come upon another pond. And the trail crosses what looks like a land dam between the pond and the stream. The pond has a bunch of grass floating on it making for some strange patterns.

There is a bench overlooking the pond. I think about stopping because I'm starving but continue to go on because I only have 1 mile to go. (I can hear & see cars now.) The trail is uphill - the steepest part of the trail. When I come to a fork in the trail, hunger wins (and I don't care what the other trailhead looks like) so I head back to the bench. Along the way I see a white bfly drop into the grass. I go off-trail to try and sneak up on it. I'm scanning for white - my eye catches yellow. By the time I react, a large sulpher (Yellow bfly) flys up and he's gone! Oh well.

I have lunch overlooking the little pond. Its a little chilly as the wind is blowing (and I'm at just over 7000 ft). I look at my watch and its taken me 3.5 hrs to get 3.7 miles - Ouch! Couldn't believe it!

On the way back, I was basically led but Mourning Cloaks (there were lots more out on my way back than the way up). I'd scare one up on the trail, he'd fly, land on the trail in front of me. I'd catch up, he'd fly, land on the trail in front of me. This was repeated for about 2 miles. This was not necessarily the same bfly the entire time but everytime I'd see one basking in the middle of the trail, I couldn't help but smile. And the cycle would repeat. :)

Saw a couple of yellow swallowtails on the way back. Couldn't ID them (I just know they weren't Anise Swallowtail). I got a really good look at a flying one as he was checking my bright orange t-shirt out as a possible nectar source. When he decided I wasn't a flower, off he went.

The gang of Milbert's Tortoiseshells were still in the same area.

When I came upon the pond, I decided to take a second shot at the dragonflies (and this time, I'd walk around the pond, checking out the flowers as well). On one flower, I saw a small patterned bfly (possibly Field Crescent) but he flew and was gone. I carefully checked the flowers as I walked around but could not find him.

Still no frogs or fish. Dragonflies still zipping around. Saw a black one with a whiteface.

The muddy spots have less bflys -- probably cause its shadier.

I finally get back to my car and its 3:30 - 5 1/2 hours -- for 7.44 miles -- that's pitiful in terms of hiking but what's the point of hiking if you're not enjoying the scenery!

Great trail - great day! Will be back for the lupine!