May 12 - Desolation to Salt Lake Overlook (Millcreek Canyon)

 Heading out to hike the Desolation Trail this afternoon. It's sunny and near 70 degrees when I head out.

I arrive at the trail head around 3pm and start up the trail. I almost immediately spot my 1st Anise Swallowtail of the year! (Yea!)

At the lower switchbacks, the Avalanche Lilies are fading but the Heartleaf Arnica will be blooming soon.

Oh, spot my first blooming Vetch of the season.

In the woods, there's Avalanche Lilies blooming. They're not in masses as below.

I do spot a CA Tortoiseshell in the woods.

I also spot a Brown Elfin along the hike.


All of the snow is not off the trail. But on the last switchback, there's still snow above the trail.

Lots of Avalanche Lilies and Spring Beauties on the upper sections (and a few blooming Buttercups).

I also spot my 1st Groundsel of the year in bloom - more to come.

I arrive at the top and have it all to myself. After a short break, it's time to head down.

Before I get all the way to the bottom, I see a Spring Azure.

Good day!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dec 5 - Sentry Trail (Antelope Island)

Image
Sunny day with temps near 50 degrees. Heading out to Antelope Island with the goal of hiking Sentry Trail. I arrive around 8:30am and as I cross the causeway I see a Kestrel what I think is a Northern Harrier (he's here every year) and surprise(!!) a Bald Eagle. It's December so its not unlikely but cold, snowy weather brings them down here and we have had none of the above. Maybe it's colder, snowier in Idaho but very much a surprise to see!! Lots of duck hunters out this morning. water levels are too low for boats so they are just standing in the water with their decoys. Still can' t believe they can hunt so close to people but it is what it is. I reach the island and head south towards the Ranch. Behind the Visitor's Center, I find one bison. Quiet drive until I reach Frary Peak. There I find a small herd of bison heading south along the mountains. A bit farther down, I spot a coyote moving north along the lake bed. A tiny bit farther, there's a herd of Prong...
Read more

Dec 18 - Antelope Island Cruise

Image
 Cold morning with temps in the upper teens but sunny skies are coming - a perfect day for a winter hike. (However, there will be no hiking today as I injured my knee while shoveling our 12 inches of unexpected snow on Wednesday. Hoping it's nothing more serious than a sprain so trying to be kind to it.) I arrive on the causeway around 8:30 am. It's sunny with temps around 20 and very little wind. There's snow along both side of the causeway and lots of frozen water (w/ a few open spots). There no Kestrel waiting this morning but there is a Rough Legged Hawk on the wheel structure (like last week and many times before). As I near the island, I see a black spot in the distance on Farmington Bay. I stop, it's a Bald Eagle! (This week I'm not surprised to see them with the snow storm and the cold temperatures.) Still lots of ducks (Shovelers, I think) near the island on the Salt Lake side. I arrive on the island and head south. I'm surprised that there are no bison...
Read more

Dec 12 - Antelope Island Cruise

Image
 Cloudy day forecast and it's 32 degrees out. Not my normal hiking day but I'm heading out to Antelope Island to check on critter movements after this weeks snow - and perhaps, squeak a hike in. I arrive on the causeway around 8:30. It's cloudy, 32 degrees. The snow that remains is almost a just a dusting across the landscape. The peaks on the island definitely has snow. As I cross I find a Kestrel and a coyote far in the distance. Duck hunters (a bunch of them) are once again near the island. I reach the island and turn south towards the Ranch. There are 2 bison along the road behind the Ranch. After them, it's quiet until just after the road to Frary Peak. (Note because of this week snow, the gates are down on the roads to the Gravel Pit, Frary Peak and Sentry Peak trail heads.) After Frary Peak, I see a lone bison moving north. Not to much farther south, there's a small herd (20'sh) of bison. A bit farther down the road is another small herd of bison. And sti...
Read more