My Utah Adventure 2025

Well after debating about going to Willow Lake for 2 weeks, I'm finally heading up there after work. Another 90 degree day but there are thunderstorm looking clouds coming into the valley. I'm not afraid of the potential rain in the valley, we'd be lucky to get spit on. More worried about the mountains but time to head. Uneventful trip up; except lots of cars heading down. Not many folks at the TH; I get a spot right in front of the trail. And my good timing, the sun is now behind the storm looking clouds. Not good for butterflying but keeps the temps down for a more pleasant walk. I start up the trail and it is quite obvious that it's past bloom - the big patches of yellow flowers are drying up. However, there are flowers: Monkshood, Cornflower,  Lupine, Buttercups, Coneflower, Geraniums, Paintbrush to name a few. I'm seeing some butterflies to: Orange Coppers, Frits, Blue Copper, W. Admiral and Unknown Wood Nymph. Grrr, 1st time I've seen an Nymph on this trai...

 Sunny day with highs near 90 degrees. Heading up BCC to hike up to Twin Lakes Pass. I arrive in the parking lot around 7:30. As I loop thru the parking lot to park, I see a bull moose out in the meadow!! I guess I'm seeing my 3rd moose of the year! He was on the move when I started along the boardwalk; heading right (west) towards the lake. Oh, please don't cross the lake before I get there. I see his wet footprints on the boardwalk so he crossed it earlier. Whew! When I get to the footbridge, I could almost and reach out and touch him. His head is down eating and he hasn't entered the water yet. Eventually looks up. I think he's heading into the water so I leave the footbridge and continue on the trail. I want to be past him when he crosses so I can get to Lake Solitude. But he moves a bit to the right. I take off at that point. By the time I get to my TH it looks like he crossed because I cannot see him anyway. Exciting start but off to Lake Solitude! I quickly see a...

 Sunny day with temps in the mid-90s. Heading up to hike the loop today and then hopefully up to the Pass. I'm thinking the trails will be again crowded since it's still the 4th holiday week-end but heading up early. I arrive around 7am and after I park, I see a Porcupine walking across the parking lot across the street. Not a bad start. (And there are not many cars in the lot which is a happy surprise.) I gear up and make my way to the TH. No moose, deer or beavers this morning but the Iris are in-bloom now. I start heading up to Lake Solitude and yes, the flowers are starting to bloom. (And good thing because the Brighton/Solitude Wildflower walks are next week-end.) Lots of yellow bloomers, Bluebells, Columbine, etc. Quiet walk though. I do see a Pika at the first little rocky spot. She's gathering veg for the winter already. Farther along, I do see a need (mostly butt and a quick flash of a doe head) before the big avalanche. I can see her ribs so she needs to eat. Mayb...

 Happy 249th birthday America!!! In honor, I'm taking a walk up Lambs Canyon; to the top for the 1st time this year (yes, better late than never). We had overnight rain showers so the clouds are still lingering. But the sun is there and there are blue skies to the West. I take off around 7am; just hoping to beat the crowds I'm expecting. I get drizzled on on the drive up. And actually, it's still sprinkling when I take off around 7:30. (There's only 1 car in the lot at this point.) It's doesn't look like there's been much rain; though we desperately need it. But the veg is very damp and my pants are soaked by the time I make it to the 2nd switchback. But it's awesome. There's sun but also clouds. Tons of geraniums and Thimbleberries in bloom. Actually, some of the Thimbleberries on the lower part are already going to seed.  I'm see a few Frits but none stopping to get a good idea. So I'm photographing bumblebees (or at least trying). The Sage...

 Another sunny day with temps in the low 90s. Heading out to the Mormon Trail this morning. Maybe I'll actually do 3 miles today?! 55 degrees when I start up the trail. Got to remember that the days are getting shorter now so I need to come later or walk farther to see butterflies. Spittlebugs are out. Calm day on the walk out to the pond. Lots of birds - even this Green Tailed Towhee. I'm seeing a number of W Admirals and that's it. Not surprising though because I'm still in the shade. I reach the meadow and it's not much more active; maybe because it is very dry. We could really use some rain at this point. The Bflys pick up after the pond especially the Frits. Seeing GSF and a number of Great Basin Frit (as ID'd by iNaturalist) even 2 doing the mating dance. I do go past the 2 mile marker but no very; it was pretty dead. Also saw White Shouldered Bumblebee. On the way back it definitely got more active. 18 bugs in total including: W. Swallowtail Clodius Parna...

 It's an off Friday and I'm heading up to Twin Lake Pass (hopefully). It's a sunny day with temps in the low 90s. Rocky start as I realize I forgot my phone about 1/2 way down my block but I can live without that. Then as I turn up BCC, I realize I forget sunscreen. Big Oops! I'll be short hike today. :( I arrive around 7:30. Parking lot is pretty empty; I'm surprised. I head around the lake to the TH. No moose, deer or beaver. The plant life is getting taller and about ready to bloom. I'm seeing a few Geraniums, Thimbleberry, Bluebells, Paintbrush, Beardtongue, etc. Quiet walk - no pika, deer or moose. Although I find fresh deer tracks on the trail. I reach Lake Solitude; it too is quiet w/ no deer or ducks. Decision time: do I continue to do the hike; another 2 hrs in the sun or be smart. Of course, I choose the "smart option" and head back. Of the way back, I hear something moving thru the forest and stop to look. Lucky me! I see a Doe. She looking ...

 Sunny day near 80 degrees. Heading up after work to hike up Lambs Canyon. I'm thinking about going to the top but we'll see. I pull into a full parking lot (surprise) around 3:30 and check out the mud. Not too exciting but I do see a W. Admirnal, Mylitta Crescent. Oh wait, it is exciting because I find a Russett's Skipperling!! I have to wait awhile for it to settle but I get a good look at him. Up past the bathroom, I find a Hoary Comma and a GB Frit (and other orange flyers). Time to hit the trail. Not very lively along the creek; especially compared to last week (same time). Lots of blooming flowers now especially Thimbleberries draping the trail. I do see a few flyers include WT Blues (old) and RMD, more W. Admirals and Parnassians (Oh I wish one would land.) I do see hummingbirds - 5 separate meetings. That's exciting! I reach the now cleared fallen pine trees and I decide to stop. Don't know why as it's only 4:20 but I do. And it pays off with a Parnassia...

 We're having some crazy weather the last couple days. We go from record setting 103 on Friday, to 73 on Saturday to 60 today. The good news is we got some unexpected light rain. And that meant some snow flurries in mountains (with lows in the 20s). I'm heading up to check out that snow this morning by walking the Alta Summer Road. I'm not expecting much snow; perhaps a dusting because temps have been so warm. I arrive around 7:30 and visibility is very low due to fog. There's no snow on the ground; yes I'm a bit disappointed BUT there is snow pellets on some of the vegetation and it's beautiful. Also, the White Bog Orchid are in bloom as are the Shooting Star as well as lots of Columbine It's a quiet walk in the fog checking out the flowers. I do see a Marmot on the road thru the fog. And surprise, a buck! I see a couple more Marmots before reaching the TH (not as many as last week though). As the TH, there is not much of a view. I seems to be clearing thou...