May 2 - Desolation Lake to Salt Lake Overlook (Millcreek Canyon)

Partly sunny day with temps near 60.

After work heading to Millcreek Canyon for the 1st time since skipping last year due to a broken foot! Yea! Doing my normal Spring hike up the Desolation Trail to Salt Overlook. I'm so excited to see Glacier Lilies, Spring Beauties, etc which I missed last year. Actually I did see the very tail end of the Glacier Lilies at Silver Lake once I got the walking boot off.

Arrived after 3pm. Only a couple cars parked.

I gear up and head up to the trail head. There are Glacier Lilies along the way but not as many as I remember but yea!!

I reach the trail and start up passing Lilies the mostly blooming stage with some fading.

The Heart-leafed Arnica are up but no buds yet as are the Solomon Seal.

There are Virginia Waterleaf up and just a few in bloom.

The trail is clear. 

The trees have not leafed out yet.

As I get higher I start seeing Spring Beauties!!

I also find Yellow Violet, some Groundsel about to bloom.

About 1/2 up in the opening, I find my favorite Yellowbells

and Balsamroot with buds.

Oh, and Spring Parsley and Woodland Star.

I do run across some small patches of snow and two larger patches. It's easy crossing as it is packed. (Still freaky when a slip is a long slide downhill most likely into a tree.)

Can't forget that the views are awesome!

On the last few switchbacks, I find buttercups.

I reach the viewpoint and it's lovely as the clouds take over the sky.



There's still lots of snow to the north (less sunshine).

Just a brief break and it's time to head downhill.

Awesome day! (And great to see some old flowery friends again!)

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