July 7 - Silver, Solitude, Twin Lake Pass, Twin Lakes, Silver Lake Loop (BCC)

Sunny days with mid-90 temps forecast.

Heading up to Twin Lakes Pass today to check out the flower situation. Typically, it's peak time but with above average snowfalls, I'm just not sure the status.

Leave around 6:45 and arrive around 7:30. Plenty of spots since in the parking lot. It's sunny and 46 degrees as I start along the boardwalk.

At the footbridge, I stop to watch a family of Mallards.

And stop to check out the view from the pier. Lovely as always.

The Iris is in-bloom now.

I decide to head up via Lake Solitude this morning. Flowers are still not there but the Thimbleberry are in bloom.

Pass by what appears to be fresh coyote poop on the trail.

Trail is clear. Pass, in the opposite direction, 2 people who saw deer earlier.

At the first rock pile, I see and hear a Pika.

Passing Bluebells, MeadowRue, Baneberry (still in bloom) on the way to Lake Solitude.

I reach Lake Solitude and take a quick look (there's a duck out there) before continuing on the road to above Twin Lakes for the 1st time this year.

Flowers looking good along the 2nd switchback with the addition of Paintbrush to the mix from last time.

I do see a fresh CA Tortoiseshell on the climb.

When I complete the climb, I head to my perch. Lakes are so low; I wonder why?

After a short break, I start on way to Twin Lakes Pass. Believe it or not, I'm still passing piles of snow along the way. Not many of them but still.

I reach the trail to the Pass. There's still a lot of snow here but the trail is visible and for the most part clear. Many buttercups line the trail.

I stop to watch a Chipmunk.

I reach the trail to the top. Lots of green and minimal flowers. But beautiful!

There are yellow flowers (thinking Groundsel), Wallflower, Cinquefoil, Penstemon, Nuttall's Linanthus, Paintbrush, Blue Flax,  Scarlet Gilia (more pink than red), Lupine are about ready to bloom and a few more. The flowers are sparse but there are some sections that are pretty decent.

Early on, I see a butterfly on a Groundsel. It's a Western Green Hairstreak!!! Cool! (40 35 50.3 N 111 36 22.6 W 9890ft)

I reach the Pass and take a peek down LCC

before finding a rock to take a break. While enjoying the view, 

I seeing something flying. It's a Western Green Hairstreak! (40 35 40.6N 111 36 32.8 W - 10010ft)

Time to head back down. Along the way, I see a Clouded Sulphur and a White flyer of unknown ID.

I reach the snowy down trail to the road and carefully make my way down.

Now it's down to Twin Lakes where I stop briefly for a look at the empty lake. Such a strange view for mid-summer.

Then it's downhill again where I see 4-5 Parnassians (40 36 4N 111 35 34.3 W - 9195ft)

another fresh CA Tortoiseshell and Lilac Bordered Copper before reaching the switchback above Silver Lake.

Do not see or hear any Pika as I cross the switchback. But along the trail back down to Silver Lake I do see a W. Swallowtail.

Awesome day!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Aug 23 - Silver Lake (BCC)

Image
 Sunny day with highs near 90s. No hikes today; just a simple walk around Silver Lake due to having stitches in my knee. They say I can hike but wanted to do an easy test run first. Left around 6:30. Saw a lone deer on the side of the road on the way up. Arrived at the parking lot and it was around 58 degrees and still in the shade. Not many cars or people around today. Started my trip around the lake counter-clockwise. No moose to be seen as of yet. Not really much happening. Stop to watch 3 ducks next to the footbridge. Stop at the pier for a look-see. Stopped at the dock on the other side (perhaps for the 1st time since they rebuilt it). And crossed the wetland with yellow monkeyflowers in bloom. But the trail is then closed. Unfortunately they've still not finished this 2 or maybe 3 year project. I do spot a shorebird. I was excited but it flew as quickly as it landed in front of me. Beavers unfortunately absent. They've been very visible the last 2 years but they were rebu...
Read more

May 11 - Lambs Canyon

Image
 Partly sunny with temps around 60 degrees as I start up Lambs Canyon. Hoping for  good butterfly day after the foot+ of snow over the week-end; lots of wet spots for puddling. The start of the walk was sunny but as I got higher (and to the muddy spots), I fell under a cloud (boo). I did see Painted Lady, Rocky Duskywing, Mourning Cloak, Anise Swallowtail, Satyr Comma, and Spring Azure and a White that was not an Orangetip; perhaps a Large Marble. Also a moth I did see a blooming Arrowleaf Balsamroot  in addition to the Forget-me-knots and Virginia Waterleaf And 2 squirrels. I was going to loiter at the trail head but there were two locals there working on a truck and I didn't want to look like I was waiting to pillage their cars so I started down and back into the sun. Still a good day.
Read more

June 14 - Lambs Canyon

Image
Another sunny day with temps in the mid-90s. Heading to Lambs Canyon to hike to the top today for this 1st time this year. Near 70s when I leave Salt Lake. There's a lot of clouds around so that will keep things cooler at least at the beginning. I arrive and surprised to find 2 cars already in the lot. I gear up and start up the trail. Arnica, Solomon's Seal, Bluebells, Strawberries, Violets, Mitrewort and Geraniums in bloom. The Thimbleberry are budding and there are some in bloom. It's a beautiful morning! Upper switchbacks have Larkspur in bloom. Along the way in the shade I find a Western Tailed Blue waiting for the morning sun. Surprise find: Baneberry in bloom!! The entry into the meadow is far less muddy than last time. I continue pass and cross to the other side of the canyon.  Soon I cross again finding Spring Beauties in bloom. I get a little ways but feel like a bathroom stop is needed. Do I believe or not? I decide to head down and it was the correct decision ma...
Read more