July 23 - Snake Creek Pass

 Mostly sunny day with a high in the upper 90s. 

And the great thing is, the trails will be wet --- we actually had rain last night (and a good amount at that). Let's hope it keeps coming.

Heading up to Snake Creek Pass. Sadly, this is my 1st trip of the year.

Arrive around 8am. There's a pretty good number of cars already here but majority are not going in my direction after the initial uphill climb.

It's 54 degrees, still partially cloudy and the sun is not over the mountains yet.

As I start the uphill, I greeted immediately by a couple of ground squirrels.

There's lots of green plants but flowers are only in patches - lots of horsemint!

At one point, I spot a Marmot, nope 2 marmots. 

Ran into these guys last time I went up to Lake Mary.

A bit farther up, I find Pink Monkeyflower.

I finally reach the turnoff for Dog Lake. I head down to the lake to see if there's any Moose near the lake.

There's no moose but there's still a good sized lake. Surprised with the drought, but happy to see.

I head up to my trail to the Pass thru bunches of flowers. Hopefully, there'll be butterflies zipping around.

Time to enter the woods. Only a few things blooming in here (and not much of it) - White Columbine, Heart-leafed Arnica and Tall and Purple Asters.

It's just a quiet walk thru the wooded and openings until I reach the road.

Then it's up the road to the Pass.

I immediately see a Blue Copper when I get there - good start.

I head to the overlook to check out the flowers and the view of a snow-less Mt Timp.

Then it's up towards the ski lift. I see a couple of Frits near the lift. Mormon I believe.

Also spot to look down and over to Twin Lakes dam.

I continue up to my favorite spot on the rocks for a quick break. I see  along Blue Copper along the way.

After a break, I decide to go higher when I get to where I thought it would be flat again, it was still up. Not today, and I head back down.

When I'm back to the lift, I spot another Blue Copper

and another Blue - looks like a Melissa Blue (sp. annetta) Awesome!


Then it's back down to the Pass and the flowers. There I find what I think are 2 Zerene Frits

and a Weidenmeyer's Admirals.

Time to head back down.

On the way down, on the final forest edge, I find a couple of little blues - Arctic Blues. Wish I stayed for more photos.

I reach the Dog Lake areas but I can't find anything flying. :(

So it's down the ski hill.

On the way down, I find Mustard White and a Ruddy Copper.

Good hike.

And one the drive down the canyon, I pull-off to get out of some slow traffic. The pull-off has a wet area off the road with Mustard Whites and Woodland Skippers flying. I get of my car for a look.

Great day!

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