Aug 1 - Broads Fork Meadow (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Taking the day off to head up to Broads Fork. It's one of my favorite hikes and I'm hoping I haven't missed the flowers/butterflies. I know it's Aug 1 and that's usually past peak for butterflies but everything this year is late due to record snowfall and a slow melt (heck we haven't even hit peak mountain wildflower season yet) so I have hope.

The hike leaves from the S-curve in Big Cottonwood Canyon; one of the more crowded areas as everyone is heading up to Lake Blanche. Broads Fork starts on the other side of the parking lot and is much less crowded; in fact, I'd be surprised to see 15 people today and that will probably be on my way back.

The trail is 2.1 miles (one-way) with and elevation gain of 2100 ft (and there are flat spots on the trail so it has some long steep ups). The trail starts around 6320 ft and ends 8420 ft.

After a dreary rainy day yesterday, today is sunny with highs in the low 90s. I'll definitely be getting wet today because all the vegetation will be soaked and I'll be walking thru it.

I make it to the trailhead just before 8am and immediately start up the trail thru the thick pine forest. Lots of green but just a spattering of flowers (the story of this summer).

Before I know it, I can hear the water rushing down the mountain ahead. It's a steep uphill climb to the footbridge with one stop

no two stops

to see the water rushing down. This had to have looked incredible at the peak of the snow melt!

I make it to the foot bridge

cross and leave the pine forest for meadows and aspen.

I make it to the 1st meadow. Lots of flowers, thick, wet vegetation. It's all in the shade; there's plenty of flowers for butterflies on the way down.

Surprisingly, I do see one butterfly: a Painted Lady.

I could thru the meadow, up a hill (and repeat) before reaching an outcropping just before the last little uphill to the Broads Fork meadow. I made it!!

And there's still flowers both on the downside towards BCC.

And towards the peak!

I walk slowly across the meadow towards the pond on the left. I see Blue Copper

and a Small Wood Nymph. Thought there'd be more but perhaps yesterday's rain and it's probably only 9:30, so maybe too early.

I also find a few Sego Lilies

and a Moose track. It's covering a human track so it's fresh. Perhaps I'll see one near the pond.

Heading thru the flowers towards the pond, I find lots of White lined Sphinx Moths.

I don't make it to the pond (just didn't want to cross the piles of logs this morning) so I start back across and then up into the meadow. There I find Purplish Coppers

a Northern Checkerspot

and a very beaten Western Tiger Swallowtail. (Yes, he does fly!)

I find my resting spot today.

As I sit and enjoy the world around me (BTW: there's no one here), a Clodius Parnassian flies by.

I'm wondering where all the butterflies are today. I've seen a total of less than 10. Hmm?

Well, after a 1/2 hour, it's time to head down.

I do find two Frits along the way.

But am disappointed only to find a couple of bflies in the lower meadows including one Northern Checkerspot and a Weidemeyer's Admiral.

But the amazing numbers of Sphinx moths continue here as well. They are everywhere! Incredible!

I also see a dragonfly.

Then it's over the footbridge and thru the forest. I do a couple of Woodland Skippers.

Wonderful day!