May 26 - Lambs Canyon

 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 they turned around. Ok.

Up the trail I go. I'm immediately greeted by Virginia Bowers

and Fairybells.

Lots of geranium poking up as well as strawberry and many others.

The spray of water on a burned spot is no longer happening which is good.

Trail is wet (and muddy in spots) due to rain yesterday and snowmelt. It's very early here.

I do see Azures, Orangetip 

and a Mourning Cloak on the trail.

The cleanup the Forest folks are doing it making things look good. I said that last year but they've finally got the slash piles burned. Yea, there are scars but I'm seeing small waterfalls that I've never seen before. It's so open. I love it!!

Up higher I find Yellow Violet in bloom and moose track on the trail. They are heading downhill.

I do find snow but it's off trail on the left side of the valley; the trail is clear and I stop at the 3rd switchback. I'm not sure what those people were talking. I could have kept going but I leave if for another day; hopefully when I can park at the trailhead.

Time to head down.

Back at the trailhead, the mud at the parking lot is a bit more active with Azures and Duskywings.

On the way down, I add a Sleepy Duskywing

and Western Tailed Blue


Awesome day!

Awesome day!

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