2024 Utah Adventure

 Sunny day with temps in the upper 70s. Had plans to hike a portion of the Lake Blanche Trail but I decided to go to the end of the road and access the snow situation up there. The canyon is melted out except the high peaks and shadier section. The creek is roaring as expected. I reach the Silver Lake parking with several cars already parked. I really don't know what to expect but I have seen pictures showing the boardwalk melted. And the boardwalk is melted. Still snowy sections remain in the grassy area. And, of course the peaks are still snow covered. I scare up a snowshoe hare, all fluffy as I set out. Lots of birds flying around. I reach the footbridge and there's still alot of ice on Silver Lake but there are big open sections. There are also at least two Mallards. On the other side of the bridge, the trail is snowpacked; at least a foot. I don't have Yaktrak so I just go to the 1st dock for the view. There's no reason to continue. I won't head to Twin Lake un...

 It's in the low 60s when I arrive after work and the gate is still closed. Looks like another road walk. Blooming flowers include: Bisquitroot, Solomon's Seal, Balsamroot, Bluebells New flowers: Heart-leafed Arnica Ballonflower and Buttercup Still lacking in butterflies. Saw: Mourning Cloak, Western Tailed Blue and Spring Azure, Rocky Mountain Duskywing and Mylitta Crescent. Still nice to stretch the legs.

 Sunny day with temps near 70 degrees. Heading to Lambs Canyon for hopefully my last road walk of 2024; the road should be open this week. I arrive around noon; it's probably still in the upper 50s. As I start up the road, I instantly spot Geranium in bloom! I see lots of plants but very few blooms. The Bisquitroot, Forget-me-knots, Virginia Waterleaf, Balsamroot and Bluebells are in various stages of bloom. Oh and there's a shrub in bloom (saw this one on the Little Cottonwood trail on Friday) The creek is rushing much stronger than last week. But not many butterflies flying. I suspect the wacky weather. I mean, it's been 36 degrees for lows in the valley which means it's still below freezing up here. Not normal. I do see Painted Ladies, Orangetip, Rocky Mt Duskywings and Spring Azure on my way to the trailhead At the trailhead are a couple Azure. A bit disappointing. I see a couple leaving the trail and I ask about snow. They said they ran in snow about 10 minutes and...

 It was a sunny morning but by the time I set out around noon, it's overcast and mid-60s. Heading out to hike the Little Cottonwood Creek trail. The plan is to make it too the "end". I arrive in the lot and there's a lot of folks; it was empty 2 weeks ago. I gear up and start up the trail. Not expecting to see butterflies due to the lack of sun. As I start up the trail, there is an absence of water noises. Not uncommon as the route the water around. No real flowers blooming other than the cherry trees and I do find a blooming Salisfy, some Thimbleberry blooms and one of my favorites I reach the water plant and there's water here and the rest of the way up. I'm seeing blooming Solomon's Seal, Twisted Stalk, Virginia Waterleaf alongside the trail. Oh, and this flowering shrub As I'm closing in on the bridge, the water sounds are getting louder. And at the bridge, the water is moving fast and higher than 2 weeks ago but I've seen it higher. Continuing...

 Sunny day with temps in the mid-50s and windy (out of the northwest). Heading up to walk a bit of the Parley's Canyon ridge after work. I arrive just after 3pm and start up. Lots of flowers: Phlox,  Arrow-leafed and  Cut-leaf Balsamroot, Larkspur, Vetch. I pass on the big hill at the beginning and head up a "gentler" path but there are two big hills in my way. Lovely views to the south and ahead of me to the West. The oaks are just leafing out. Seeing a few Painted Ladies; they're pretty worn. After the 2nd hill I call it. Expecting a phone call tonight so it's time to turn around. (Hey, it's a better workaround than walking around Sugarhouse Park or 1/2 hour at the gym.) On my way back with Little Dell ahead of me. Nice to do something different.

  Beautiful sunny day with temps in the low 70s. Heading out to walk up the road to Lambs Canyon to check on the butterfly situation. I am not planning on seeing how far I get on the trail. Going just to the trail head and maybe a bit on the trail. Arrive just after 12:00pm. There's few cars in the lot - most I've seen this year. I gear up and start up the road. Along the road, I see Forget-me-knots, Virginia Waterleaf and Biscuitroot still not quite in bloom. I also see the first blooming Bluebells and Arrowleaf of the season. The creek is flowing fast and making beautiful sounds. The mountainside is clear of snow near the start but the farther up I go, yes, there's still snow up there. As far as butterflies: Anise Swallowtail, Spring Azure, Western Tailed Blue (1st of year),  Orangetip, Large Marble (1st of the year), Juba Skipper (1st of the year),  Painted Lady, Mourning Clock, Mylitta Crescent (I think I saw them last time but this one is confirmed). Not bad but the ...

It's sunny and the final day of my trip. Heading to Hetch Hetchy today. It's the less travel section of Yosemite National Park and contains a huge reservoir, waterfalls and hiking trail. I have no idea what to expect today but I am planning on only travelling to the first waterfall (Tueeulala). Based on AllTrails, the waterfalls are running strong with lots of fast water (just like the valley). Reports by one says they made it 2 miles before turning around. The goal is Tueeulala Falls. If I have time to kill afterwards, I'll head to either Tulomne or Merced Grove as I want to start my way to SF around 12:00. I started a bit later this morning (a bit after 7;30) just so I don't have time to kill. It's down the same road as Carlon Falls so I know the 1st section really well. The rest of that road is curvy and narrow with lots of open country that varies for large pines to open meadows. I see a small herd of deer on the drive. It's about 16 miles until I reach the ...