My Utah Adventure 2025

Sunny day with temps around 90 degrees. Heading out to hike the Salt Lake Overlook and complete what I didn't finish a few weeks back. I arrive at the TH just after 7:30 and there are 6-7 cars already there. It was a bit more than I expected this early but it is supposed to be a hot day. I gear up and start up the trail. All the Lilies and Waterleaf that were blooming last time I was here are now gone as expected. Now there are Solomon's Seal blooming and Heart-leafed Arnica down low and in the heavily forested areas. And there are some Oregon-grape and Strawberries still hanging on. The woodlands are so very green; it's stunning. As are these Ninebark blooms Oh the Thimbleberry have buds!! Lots of bird song this morning but on the way up, this is the only one I see - probably a Black-headed Grosbeak. Higher up in the more open spots, the Balsamroot, Larkspur are still blooming. And there are a few new ones including. About mid-way up, I spot a Rocky Mountain Duskywing hang...

 It's Memorial Day a time to remember those who have sacrificed for our freedoms. And of course, it's a day off of work so I'm heading out to the Mormon Trail for a 2 miler. Sunny day with temps in the mid-80s. On the drive to the TH, I stop for a deer crossing the road. Exciting!! I'm parked around 8:30. It's sunny and still in the low 50s so I'm not expecting much flying on the way out. I'm surprised there is only one car in the lot; a couple that was camping but happy as I seem to have the trail all to myself. I start up the trail to lots of birds. And when I get to the actual trail, I see a N. Flicker up in a tree (with a Robin). The creek next to the trail is all dried up now and at the crossing there is no water except a few low puddles. The snowmelt is over here! Along the trail, still not much in bloom except Bluebells, Balsamroot, Groundsel, and Dandelions. I do a couple of WTB on the way to the meadow but very quiet. Oh, there's a little yellow...

Sunny day with temps near 80. Heading up BCC for the 1st time this year and heading to hike the Willow Lake Trail. Pretty exciting as my favorite area starts opening up again!! Love it! Arrive sometime between 7:30 - 8am. Surprised that there are 4 cars parked already. Early birds - love it - but some much for wildlife, probably. :( It's around 45 degrees this morning as I start up the trail. Many Bluebells are already blooming at the start up the trail but they are only present at the start and a portion of the 1st switchback. Otherwise it's a lot of green young plants growing. Give it another week or so. The aspen are naked except a few where I can see a few tiny green leaves. And the waterfall still flowing. I meet a lady on her way down who said she saw a few deer so maybe there some hope - always hope right :) Meet 2 more hikers on their way, another two who camped the night and yet one more couple as I entered the meadow. I think I have the place to myself at this point! ...

 Sunny day with a high near 80 today. Had several options for a hike but decided to head back up Lambs Canyon to see if anymore butterflies are flying than the other day. And to hike up to the meadow. Cool morning and the road was a mix of sun and shade around 8:45 when I started up. Obviously, no butterflies on the walk but I did see 1 Azure that the mud at the parking lot. Actually surprised me. I start up the trail and the Virgin Bower's are even more spectacular than on Monday (if that is possible). They are draped here and there and are all the way the trail until my spotting point. Wonders of clearing of the "trash" in a forest. The plants are getting larger on the lower levels and I'm soon something will be blooming soon. Just a Blue or two on along the 1st switchback. And they continue sparsely as I continue up. Also, the green plants get smaller as I climb. I'm following moose tracks but I'm sure they are not from this morning but I keep my eyes open....

 Lots of rain on Sunday and below normal temps (including freeze warnings and snow for some). Still very cool on Monday but warming up to the mid-60 today. Perfect day to head up afterwork to Lambs Canyon for butterfly check. (Hopefully they survived the freeze.) Arrive before 3:30 and the gate is still closed. I see a RMD at the parking lot so it's a good start. Along the road, the flowers are filling in and I see my first (and only) Geranium of the day. Many more blooming Arnicas and Bluebells too. The creek seems higher today; could be the week-end rains. Definitely not close to the butterflies numbers I was hoping for but I did see 8 species:  Orangetip W. Tiger Swallowtail Anise Swallowtail (very pale yellow) Spring Azure Western Tailed Blue Rocky Mt Duskywing Sleepy Duskying Only Blues and Duskywing had counts more than 1. Beautiful walk; heard some pretty birds songs but could not find birds. Good day!

 Cloudy with sparse peeks of sun with temps near 60. Heading up to Lambs Canyon for walk. Fingers crossed for a butterfly or two but it's cloudy. The road is still closed (hopefully opening for Memorial Day) and wet. But it's sunny!! Don't know for how long but it's sunny! The plants all have drops of water on them. The Forget-me-knots are starting to fade. On the way to the TH, I see Bluebells, Solomon's Seal,  Waterleaf, Arrowleaf Balsamroot, Groundsel, a Heartleaf Arnica in bloom. The creeks lower than last week. And I hear many birds singing. I reach the TH and check the mud and there are no bugs. No surpise there. I decide to head up the trail. Wow! The Virgin's Bowers are in bloom and vining beautifully in spots! Quite a treat. I also find Twisted Stalk in bloom. The Arnica are in bud and all the other plants are growing. I didn't make it too far today; almost to the 1st switchback as my legs were dead. By the time I get back to the TH the sun is gone....

 Sunny with high near 90. (That's a record high!) Heading out to the Mormon Trail for the first time in years this early; they demolished the beaver dam so the lead-in trail is clear now. But I know that there will be parts of the trail that will be flooded and instead of trying to climb around or just turn-around, I'm plowing thru with my Neos. Bought them for Alaska back in 2018, it's time to where them again. I put the Neos on at my car. They are a bit klunky but will keep my feet dry (unless the water is over the boot which may happen. The lead-in trail is dry as I hoped. Once on the main trail, I quickly see a White; Cabbage White and Blues. But the Blues are flying. And I see an Orange flyer - Mylitta Crescent. (I see a couple.) But it's pretty quiet butterfly-wise; just an occasional one here and there. Mostly Blues but I do spot an Anise Swallowtail.  I do see flowers though. Oregongrape, a few Avanlache Lilies, Purple Violet, Largeleaf and Arrowleaf Balsamroot,...

 Sunny day with temps in the 80s. After my 40 hours (+ some), I head up to Lambs Canyon for a butterfly walk up the road (at least I hope for butterflies). I arrive before 10am and start up the road. Lots of green everywhere. Even more Forget-me-knots in bloom and Waterleaf. A few Arrowleafs and Ragwort in bloom as well. The Bluebells are just about ready. And the Biscuitroot are going to explode soon. (lots of them) I quickly find a Rocky Mt Duskywing, CA Tortoiseshells and a few Orangetips. Oh, there are Blues flying and they are flying. Best chance is to find the water/mud higher up. The creek is flowing faster and higher but still nothing like prior years. Sounds great! As do the birds singing. I finally make it to the trailhead and water/mud and only find a few RMD and yes, the Blues are Spring Azures. A bit disappointed in the numbers but it's still early-sh. I decide to go up the trail to the 1st switchback. Definitely not as advanced plant-wise as the road but I find Strawb...

 Heading up the Little Cottonwood Trail today. Probably just end up a little over 1/2 way that the water treatment plant where it always but I'm looking for the hike and potential butterflies. Arrive around 9am and a little surprised that it's not more crowded; but hey, I'm happy. There are 2 Towhoes to the left of my car in the leaf litter foraging. Cool to watch but time to head up the trail but it gets too hot. (Sunny and low 70s today.) Lots of birds calling on the sunny dirt path but otherwise calm and quiet as there is no water in the river; all siphoned off by now. And not my flowers; just a few larkspur. Oh, the Cherry trees are getting ready to bloom; just buds though. Along the road and just before the treatment plant, I see a small lizard. And a few Dame's Rockets. This place used to be loaded with them. Perhaps there's an effort to get rid of them as they are Mustards and a bit invasive. Lots of water coming into the treatment plant. Climbing up to the F...

 It's May 1st; 23rd anniversary of my Mom's death. I've always taken the day off and try to honor/remember her with a nice hike. I was planning to be at Lower Calf Creek but cancelled at the last minute. So today I'm heading up the Desolation Trail in Millcreek Canyon for the 1st time this season. (I'm actually not sure if I even hiked it last year; it's typically an after work hike until the mountains open up.) A bit chilly this morning; it's in the low 40s. But around 8:30am I leave for the hike. I bring my winter coat just in case. But when I get out of my car, despite the 40 degree temp, it feels like good hiking weather so I so up the trail. Not sure where the Spring flowers are at this point but surprised not to see an overflow of Lilies, Waterleaf, and Solomon's Seal at the start of the trail. The Lilies are blooming but the other two are still growing. It's still very early; yea! I'm enjoying the Lilies in various stages from buds, blooms...

Heading up for a quick hike up Lambs Canyon Road after a short work Friday. Not necessarily the ideal day but it's in the upper 60s and mostly cloudy with peeks of sun. Not expecting much for butterflies but one never knows. The Forget-me-knots blooms are increasing in numbers. I also found a few other buds along the trail. I am correct in that the trail is not very active. I see a few of the spotted moths, 2 CA Tortoiseshells and a Mourning Cloak!! Note that the road is now totally clear to the TH. Good hike!