A sunny day is predicted with temps in the high 90s.
I arrive around 8:30 am.
The canyon is still in the shade so there's no need to check the mud. So I start up the trail crossing the footbridge (and the creek). I see my 1st butterfly of the day: Weidemeyer's Admiral!
Love the remnants of the Virgins Bowers flowers!
Wow! It's so nice and lush. Lots of Geraniums and Cow Parsnip in bloom! And some Monkshood.
The creek is still flowing and there's still some muddy patches on the trail. Can't wait for the return trip; hopefully, there will be plenty of butterflies are flying.
the beautiful Great Spangled Frits (males).
The Baneberry flowers I saw weeks ago are now have seeds.
In one flowery section, I see Mustard White, Clodius Parnassian, Northern Checkerspots, Lilac Border Coppers.
The last switchback is full of White Columbine!
And a Common Ringlet!
Soon I reach the ridge over looking the Salt Lake Valley!
There's no butterflies flying up here so it's time to head back down.
A Spring Azure
and more Lilac Bordered Coppers.
I'm looking forward to checking out the muddy section of the parking area. As I reach the foot bridge, I notice that thankfully there's no car parked there but the parking area is full as there are cars parked along the road. I stop to watch a White Line Sphinx Moth
and then cross the bridge. As I start towards the muddy area, 5 cars all arrive (I've never seen that many cars arriving here at one time!) and one immediately backs into the muddy area to a poof of flying butterflies (including a Pale Swallowtail). Ugh! (Too many people these days!)
Instead of going to my car and leaving, I take a walk down the road to check out some of the other smaller wet areas. I do find some butterflies including Western Tailed Blue, Painted Lady, a couple of Russets Skipperlings
and an Anise Swallowtail. (I thought they only fly in the Spring time. Hmm!)
I head back to my car and check what's remaining of the muddy area finding 2 Western Swallowtails.
Good day!
