The hike starts off in a good manner as I see a Painted Lady near the trail head.
A little while later, there's a Blue on the trail. I try to get a good look but he's angled towards the sun (uphill) and there's no where for me to get either in front or in back him....so he's just a Blue.
He's the last of the butterflies for the day but there are many new flowers in bloom (not too mention lots of green vegetation in both the sunny and shady spots along the trail. (and no snow!)
I see Woodland Star (the most abundant flower at all levels)
Groundsel (definitely on its way out), Waterleaf, Puccoon (only a few plants)
The bright yellow Wallflower
Forget Me Knots
Twisted Stalk
Virgin Bowers (one small plant)
Geranium (perhaps)
and Larkspur (mainly in the mid-level switchbacks).
The wonderful thing about heading up thru a 1000+ ft of elevation is how the same flowers bloom at different times depending on where they are on the trail, when the last of the snow melted, etc. I mention this because on the final 2 switchbacks of the trail, I find 2 flowers blooming that are well past bloom further below: a handful of Glacier Lilies
and quite many many Spring Beauties!!
Even the shrubs are in bloom. The only plant with leaves are the oaks. They do have tiny dried leaves on some branches. I'm wondering if it's this year's growth that is severely damaged by the heavy snow and frost we had Sunday.
I reach the top and the view of the valley is sunny and clear!
I head to the ridge hoping for more flowers or flyers but no success. There still is snow of the slopes to the east though but melting quickly.
Great day!
