June 23 - Dog Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny, cool morning with temperatures heading up into the high 70s. Heading up to hike to Dog Lake for the first time this year.

I arrive at the Mill D South parking lot. It's still in the 40s with a light layer of frost on the plants still.

I head up the trail paralleling the Big Cottonwood canyon road looking south.

This part of the trail is still in the shade. Lots of green plant growth but not much blooming other than some Bluebells.

Soon the trail turns left (north) heading up the "fork" (i.e., gully).  I'm in the sun now. Still pretty much only Bluebells in bloom but I do see a few Geraniums, Balsamroot

and Meadowrue.

Give it a week or two and there will be lots of blooms.

Trail is quiet - only hearing the stream running below. I keep looking up slopes for moose or deer but see nothing.

There are a few ground squirrels running around. Hopefully, they will be more cooperative on the way down.

I finally reach the stream. It's flowing higher and faster than I've ever seen for the end of June but that's expected after the winter we've had.

Ahead, I can see the stand of trees where the trail splits; be there soon.

I'm at the split - Dog Lake 0.6 miles to the left and Desolation Lake 2.0 miles to the right. Time to go uphill to Dog Lake.

Lots of chipmunks

and ground squirrels running around along the hillside.

I finally reach the final flat stretch to the lake. There's still some patches of snow that the chipmunks and ground squirrels are running across.

The lake is full and beautiful this  morning. (And no one is around - awesome!)

I head around to the left, up the short but snow packed trail to the opposite side of the lake. There are lots of moose tracks over here but I see no moose.

I continue around the lake until I reach my starting point.

Time to head down.

I had good timing for my hike because on the way down, I pull off for plenty of uphill hikers.

 On the way down, I find a tent caterpillar nest.

I also see 4 butterflies - one that's either a Comma or Painted Lady, two Whites and one Blue. I have no IDs on any of them.

Good hike!

(On the way back down the canyon, I see two deer.)

June 28 - Twin Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Another sunny and 90 degree day predicted.

Heading back up to Twin Lakes today. I've heard that the snow has all melted around Silver Lake and for the most part, it's clear up to Twin Lakes (minus a few snow packed sections). I hoping to see a early season, little green butterfly: Sheridan's Hairstreak.

I arrive somewhere between 8:30 - 9am. I need to quit dragging my feet on Friday mornings because the population is increasing here and therefore the parking lots are getting crowded earlier. But I do manage to grab one to the last parking spots in the main parking and start up the trail.

The muddy, just melted landscape, is much more green now as I head around counter-clockwise.

When I reach the footbridge I'm hoping to see circling trout (I assume it's a spawning thing). Sure enough, circling trout!!

I continue around noting the Solomon's Seal and Columbine that is up but not blooming.

There are a few Mallards on the lake and feeding.

I reach the corner (yea, they cut the big fallen tree off the trail) and start up towards Twin Lakes/Lake Solitude. The Glacier Lilies are about bloomed out but there is a few stragglers.

I reach the intersection - the path to Lake Solitude looks clear - but heading off the other direction. Up thru the aspen I go. The Yellow Violets are now blooming.

I reach the switchback and quickly check the rocks for Pika (or Marmot). I don't hear any Pika but I do manage to get a glimpse of one.

And a ground squirrel too!

The switchback is clear 1/2 way and then snow packed the rest of the way.

Once across, the steep trail is clear (the road trail is still snowy).

Tiny white flowered plants are now blooming. (One of the early ones.)

I head up and quickly find what I came to see - a White-lined Sheridan's Hairstreak!!!

(I end up see 5 today.)

The trail is for the most part clear. However, there are a few short sections that are still packed.

Higher up the top, the Glacier Lilies are now blooming.

Definitely more snow as I near the dam but still plenty of open spots.

Finding some buttercups in these open spots.

 The final stretch at the dam is still covered in about 2 feet of snow. On the other side, it's so pretty. The lake is still mostly frozen.

The water is definitely rising and the beach is getting smaller.

I decide to make an attempt to take the trail up above the lakes but after crossing another section of snow decide that can wait another week.

Very happy, I start my way down.

I reach Silver Lake and decide to complete the loop. Lots of people out today.

I do find Shooting Stars but they are mostly past bloom!

And some large buttercups.

Awesome day!

Oh but it's not over yet! As I drive out of the parking and towards Brighton, I see several stopped cars with people taking photos. I stop and find 2 moose - one male and one female.

Great way to end the day!

(And you can't beat 4 moose in 2 days!)

June 27 - Mormon Trail

Sunny day with highs in the low 90s.

Got out of work around 1pm and am heading out to the Mormon Trail. Hoping the flood waters have dropped and can finally get to the trail. I'm over a month late in there.

Heading down the dirt road, the creek is still flowing strong but it has definitely dropped in level and intensity. I think I might get thru. :)

Several cars in the lot. I meet a lady who was looking for information on the trail and is curious my butterfly hobby. As we head thru the lead-in trail, it's not covered in water - yea! It's muddy in spots. Things are looking awesome until the last curve - water. About 1-2 ft of it for a stretch of about 5 feet. I stand there and debate my next move while she wades thru in shorts and sandals.

I decide to try to find another path. One fails. The lady is trying to find a way thru for me from the other side and we are successful. Someone has placed some boards over the water. I just step across and climb a steep hill.

On top, there are lots of lupine blooming. I see a Checkered White and a blue.

We part ways at the actual trail. Onward I go for the first time this year.

I'm hoping to find the Relict Frit. For the last 6 years, they fly like clockwork around June 1. Well, I was not here on June 1st but, butterflies in general have been late this year so maybe...well, I don't have to travel too far - Relict Frit!!! Holy cow!

I'm so happy!

I continue on seeing Blues and some small orange flyers but just can't catch up.

Cinquefoil is the dominant plant right now.

The trail is for the most part dry; there are some muddy spots. A few Blues in there -- even find a few Dotted Blues.

Along the way, I find Northern Cloudywing,

Rocky Mt Duskywing, Common Checkered Skipper, Boisduval's Blue,

Western Tailed Blue,

Spring Azure, a few Orangetips, a Western Swallowtail and one Two-tailed, Painted Ladies, bunches of Northern Crescents,

 a Northern Checkerspot (by the pond),

a Garita Skipperling,

a Lilac Bordered Copper (by the pond),

a few Weidemeyers Admiral,

Mourning Cloak and many, many Common Ringlets.

And the Callippe Frits are now flying!

I see all those butterflies along the first 2 miles of the trail.

Dragonflies are out too but I only stop for one.

There are a few other flowers besides the Cinquefoil, Tall Jacob's Ladder is blooming

as well as what I call Fleabane.

And one of my favorite flowers (though the name escapes me - grrrr)

The pond at the camp is very full (and covered in algae)

Only a few mud puddles are active. The big one behind the dam only has a few butterflies. Not good news but makes sense since it's taken quite a while for the butterflies to get going this year. Hoping it gets better in the next few weeks.

I also see the guy I call Santa (facially, he looks like Santa). Nice to see him again. He tells me the butterflies have really started flying the last couple of weeks.

Also interesting to see some mating insects

A chipmunk

I'm definitely excited at all the sightings today.

It's after 4:30pm. I'm a very glad that I do like to look around when I'm hiking as I see this dark object not too far ahead of me. I stop - holy crap! It's a Mom moose and calf. And she locked on me.

Very exciting but it's dangerous and I'm blocked from moving forward. I back up several steps and turn to see if I can possibly bushwhack north up a slope to get by. When I turn back, I see the Mom with baby following running across the trail and presumably up the slope (I can see them after they cross the trail as I'm behind a slight.) Whew, that's one problem solved; I can get home. But I wait for a few minutes, I don't want to round the corner and she's standing on the slope and I get run over by an angry Mom.

When I take off, I go wide so there's the greatest distance between me and the slope. I see no moose. I head back to the trail and home.

Exciting day! (21 species and Mom & baby moose - incredible!)

June 21 - Lambs Canyon

First day of summer and we're celebrating here in the Salt Lake Valley with sunny skies and high in the mid-60s - so crazy!

Got out of work early and heading up to Lambs Canyon; hoping to get to the top today!

I arrive around 1pm - sunny and in the 50s (and windy).

I check the mud near the parking area. Unbelievably there are absolutely no butterflies. I don't ever remember that happening before. Strange butterfly year after a snowy/rainy cold winter/spring.

As I start towards the trail, I see a Two-tailed Swallowtail and a Weidemeyer's Admiral!

Great to see on the 1st day of summer; though they should have been flying a couple of weeks ago.

Heading up the trail, it's so much greener and lush. A few geraniums (white and pink) are now blooming.

The bluebells are blooming as are the Strawberries

and Meadow Rue. Oh, I can't forget the Serviceberries - they are in full bloom right now!

The trail is now clear of fallen trees. Yea! I actually see an older guy coming down with a chainsaw; he just cleared the remaining trail. Thanks!

I continue along checking the muddy spots along the trail. No butterflies except a couple of Blues that won't stop flying.

I continue along seeing one Two-banded Skipper,

Hoary Comma,

Mustard White, Sara Orangetip and Cabbage White

and a few more Blues - appears mostly Western Tailed Blues.

At my ending spot my last few attempts, the trees have been cleared.

I see a smaller Blue -- it's a Spring Azure.

I continue up for the first time this year.

Dolls Eyes are in bloom now!

After a bit, I reach the final switchback.

Along this stretch, lots of white violets,

Spring Beauties and Waterleaf are in bloom. All these flowers bloom several weeks ago near the bottom of the trail.

Soon I'm at the top and looking down at the Salt Lake Valley.

I head just a bit farther down the trail towards Millcreek Canyon to get a better view of Wasatch Mts.

Time to head down.

I'm happy to say those muddy spots on the trail now have some butterflies. I see Rocky Mt Duskywing

And for the first time this year, I see Northern Cloudywing

and bright orange Northern Crescent!!

Oh, I can't forget the little group of Western Tailed Blues.

Before I leave, I check the mud near the parking lot and I have some success seeing more WTB and a Spring Azure, another Two Banded Skipper and one more Northern Crescent.

Great hike and awesome to see some summer butterflies finally!!