I reach corner just before 10am. Sun is out and the temperature is 59 degrees. Beautiful day for a hike!
My plan is my usual hike up to Ghost Falls and then continue up to the top and then circle back to the other side and down the Clark's Trail to the parking lot.
As always, hoping to see butterflies/flowers. It doesn't take long before I see more first a Painted Lady. And there's another and another. They've been migrating thru for a few weeks now and I've seen them before but not in these numbers. Not as incredible as the CA trip numbers, but still pretty awesome! In fact, I see them on my entire loop hike even at the apex more than 1000 feet higher.
As for flowers, they are behind here as well. The Waterleaf are in bloom, I find 1 Phlox flowering
many, many Bluebells
and OregonGrape (in bloom)
one nasty invasive Spurge plant (yes, it's pretty but it doesn't below here)
on my way up.
Also, unlike my hike at the same time last year, there's water in the creeks as there's still a lot of snow up in the nearby peaks.
Add that to the singing birds, it's a great day!
I reach Ghost Fall and yes, there's a waterfall! (Last year it was totally dry.)
In the more open sections before the top, I find those little pink flowers from Antelope Island
some Milkvetch
and a couple of Balsamroot plants (with the butterfly of the day)
When I reach the top
I've only seen Painted Ladies - no other butterflies (Blues, Duskywings, Anglewings). I'm a bit shocked but ok.
I reach the road and loop around the canyon to the other side. Even more Painted Ladies here! Hold on there's something different, but it's a moth.
Again something different - bright orange. I only got a quick look and I think it's a CA Tortoiseshell (but it could have been a Milbert's).
Before it's time to head down, I stop for a singing Towhee (saw quite a few today)
and take a look at the mountains behind me.
I'm on the north facing side now and the flowers are a bit different as it's a bit behind the other side due to less sun. There are tons of Waterleaf; most without blooms yet. Also seeing Glacier Lilies and Spring Beauties in bloom.
And more Painted Ladies. I'm coming up on a patch of bluebells and finally, a Sara Orangetip!! (Only one of the day.)
At one point, I stop to find the birds chirping just off the trail - Chickadees! I turn my head and see 3 deer moving through the woods. Cool!
