July 31 - Lake Solitude (BCC)

 It's sunny and only in the mid-90s. Perfect time for an after work hike. Heading up to hike to Lake Solitude today. Should be hiking up to Twin Lakes but that's for another day.

Pretty empty going up the canyon at 4pm. Actually shockingly empty but I'm happy.

Plenty of spots at Silver Lake when I arrive. Part of that is because the parking lot is all open; the boardwalk is complete!! Hot dog!

Temperature is around 73 degrees with a light wind. It's absolutely beautiful out!

I head around the lake to the trail head stopping on the footbridge to view some Mallard and babies next to the bridge. There is one duckling diving under the water nearby. He's the brave one!

When I reach the trailhead, I start my way to Lake Solitude. I somehow missed the flower peak here. It's been really dry so I'm sure that moved things along. I do see some Geraniums, Horsemint, Yellow flowers, Asters/Fleabane.

Trail is quiet as I only 2 groups of people heading the opposite direction.

Passing the rocky areas, the Pika are busy building their food caches (big pile of veg) but I see no Pika.

On a couple of the flowery sections, I do see a few butterflies; mostly Frits. I also see a Mourning Cloak, W. Admiral, and a Blue of some sort.

I do hear a Pika on the big slide just before Lake Solitude but do not find him.

I reach the lake. There are a few ducks on the lake.

I decide to head around the lake and check the flowers for bflies. However, there are no flowers. :(

So after a brief stop at the lake, it's time to head back.

I take a detour up the trail to the switchback as I want to look for Pika and Marmot. It's mostly shaded with a few open spots. In one of those spots, I see a bfly. I'm thinking it's a patterned Blue. It thankfully lands and I get a closer look. It doesn't look like at Blue. I'm confused but it flies off.

I stop to look at my camera and see that the butterfly is an Edith Copper!!! I have never seen one in UT before - it's a 1st for me! Very exciting! 


I continue up to the switchback and quickly spot a Pika on the uphill side. He pretty content because he doesn't chirp or move.



I move up the trail just a bit and spot 3 more Pika on the downhill side. I think they are all chilling before nightfall; very quiet.

It's time to head down and back to my car.

Awesome day! Awesome Edith Copper!

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