Aug 8 - Lambs Canyon

 Mostly sunny day with temps in the mid-80s. Heading up Lambs Canyon today. May seem like an odd choice for a off-Friday but that's what I'm feeling this morning.

I arrive around 8am and I get the last spot in the parking lot. I'm a bit surprised but it's summer!

I gear up and start up the trail. Definitely on the path towards Fall now. The lush green vegetation is drying and taming. May have something to do with the very dry/lack of rain summer but even the Fireweed at the start is bloomed out. There are some Geraniums, Asters, Brown headed Coneflower, and lots of Goldenrod in bloom as well as a few others. 

Oh and I'm surprised to see these seedheads STILL!

Oh, the Thimbleberries are getting ready. Maybe I'll get to snag a few on the trip (and I get 3 berries).

I see a flyer pretty quickly to my surprise - it's a CO Hairstreak!!


Otherwise a quiet trip. I pass a group of ladies (which I think are the reason for all the cars) and then a lady on her way down.

Soon I'm at the meadow and I do see 2 Frits here but they're just flying.

Continuing I'm pass Baneberry and Elderberry in seed as well a Rose hips.

Soon I'm at the top with a lovely view of the valley.

Nice cool breeze up here; it's very refreshing!!

Time to head down.

More butterflies on the way down. Definitely not crazy numbers but they are flying.

See those Frits again at the meadow.

Also see a few Common Checkered Skippers

Woodland Skippers

and a Purplish Copper



on the way down.

Good hike!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

April 4 - White Rock Loop (Antelope Island)

Image
Mostly sunny day with highs in the upper 40s and it's time for a hike in the sun!! One of the few Friday in months with sun. (And it's ok because we've finally crossed the 500inches of snow this year; making it 3 straight years above average in snowfall - woot! woot!) I leave around 7:30 and arrive at the gate around 8 to at least 9 cars lined up - what is going on!! I get to the gate and the lady says there is a running race today. Ok, where do I avoid. "East side" Ok, heading straight to White Rock. There are bison around the VC this morning and scattered on the west side. I've only the 2nd car in the lot. The weather is in the low 40s; good enough for no jacket but that wind is blowing strong from the NE. I need a jacket; unzipped and blowing in the wind but needed. I start up the trail and quickly hear Curlew. And I do find 2 of them; the only ones of the day. When I get to the top of the hill, I spot 2 Chukkars. I continue east along the loop spotting lot...
Read more

Silver Lake/Lake Solitude/Twin Lakes Loop (BCC)

Image
 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...
Read more

June 27 - Lake Solitude (BCC)

Image
 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 ...
Read more