April 19 - Desolation Trail to Salt Lake Overlook

A clear day sandwiched between 2 rainy days, it's time for a short hike after work. The choices are still limited unless I want to trudge through snow so I'm heading back to Millcreek Canyon and the Desolation Trail.

It's in the upper 50s at the trail head. The sun is out in clear skies but most of the trail is in the shade.

Tons of Glacier Lilies in bloom now from the start to the end of the trail.

The Heart-leafed Arnicas are up as well but still just green plants.

On the rest of the trail, nothing really new (plants, tree's budding, etc) other than it's all free of snow except the final switchback.

There are more Spring Beautys now.

A few Yellowbells.

A few Buttercups (mostly towards the end of the trail).

As well as a single Steer's Head.

Oops, the Yellow Violets are starting to bloom now.

The viewpoint is hazy tonight (and a bit windy).

Still lots of snow looking southeast (I think Neffs Canyon is in that snowpile - must hike that at some point.)

On the way down, I see something interesting as I stop to tie my shoe.

Good day!

April 16 - Grandeur Peak (The 1st Saddle, no peak)

Beautiful Easter morning, sunny and almost 50 degrees! Heading out to hike up Grandeur Peak (or at least see how far I do make it; there's still snow on the peak).

I get started just before 10 am. As I would expect for any Sunday (even more so on Easter Sunday), there are only a few cars parked along side the road. (It's roadside parking because the road thru the picnic area to the trail head parking doesn't open until Memorial Day.

It's sunny and the stream is running fast; lovely sound.

And running downhill.

The trail up to the trail head is a mix of sun and shade but I just follow the creek up the hill. The trail finally ends at the road which I have to follow past one waterfall

And another waterfall.

Before reaching the trail. The crosses the upper part of the waterfall on a foot bridge.

I'm looking for butterflies (especially in the muddy areas) but find none; perhaps on the way back.

The trail continues uphill thru the forest. Most of the trail follows the creek but it veers off at times. I do find some snow on the other side of the creek in one area.

No flowers blooming yet but the plants are certainly poking out of the ground. Oops, the OregonGrape are starting to bloom.

As I head up, I quickly realize it's been a long winter (a bit out of shape). But I make it, finally to the switchbacks and a more steady lower incline AND the sun!!

Hoping for more flowers along this part of the trail but it's still to early. I do find a few blooming Water leaf

and the big surprise of the day - Yellowbells! (I find them in spots all the way up to the 1st saddle/viewpoint.)

There are others (besides Dandelions and more OregonGrapes) including just 2 Ballonflowers

a few Spring Beautys

a couple of Yellow Violets

and others.

Pretty quiet morning, no birds. I see a many, many of those small black moths with white dots. Just wish they would stay in one place. Also, see a few orange butterflies -- Painted Ladies probably but could be Commas or Milbert's Tortoiseshells.

Great view looking south and east along the trail.

I finally cross the rocky portion and am now on the last stretch to that first saddle.

And the saddle will be my final destination for two reasons: 1) there's still snow on the peak 2) my legs are gassed. :) (Still gaining ~1700 ft in elevation in about 2 miles.)

I'm looking hard for a little green butterfly (Sheridan's Hairstreak) which I've in this area before (and they should be flying now). But I don't find any. :(

I reach the saddle and views overlooking the city.

I climb a little hill (my Grandeur Peak for the day) and take a rest. Can't beat the views!!

To the north:

To the east:

And to the north and Grandeur Peak.

Hey, there's elk/moose scat up here!

Sitting here it's quite apparent that I can make it to the second saddle without running into snow but I'm sticking to my plan today - next time.

Time to head back.

Still looking for that butterfly and one lands in front of me. I can see the green but as I try to take a photo, he flies. (At least I saw one!!)

And a Milbert's Tortoiseshell and Painted Lady.

I continue down spotting a lizard!

(I've been hearing them scrambling thru the leaves. Finally caught up with one.)

I keep kicking up those black moths all the way down -- so frustrating.

I get back into woods on the final downhill section. Seeing more Painted Ladies, a couple of Mourning Cloaks and a Spring Azure!

There's a Comma flying but I can't tell which (Hoary or Satyr).

I finally catch up with one of those moths puddling in the same mud as the Azure.

When I reach the final waterfall, I find an Anise Swallowtail!!!

I see a few more on my way down.

I'm almost down to my car when I see a white butterfly flying in my direction -- it's not just a white; it's a Sara Orangetip (male)!!!

Awesome day!!

April 15 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

When I saw that the foothills on the east side of Parley's Summit were snow-free on Thursday night, I was very excited about my first hike of 2017 on the Mormon Pioneer Trail.

Today is the day. Typically this time of year, the trail is flooded in spots, a flowing creek in places and if you're lucky just muddy. I hoping to just get a mile up the trail before being forced to turn around but keeping my fingers crossed I might get farther.

Beautiful sunny day; it was below freezing even in the valley last night so I wait until around 1pm before heading up to the trail (~6400ft). The dirt road is very bumpy but not holey. (It'll get better once they doing the seasonal grading.)

I do see some butterflies zipping along the road but I can't make any IDs. The creek is flowing high and fast as one would expect this time of year.

Several cars in the lot when I arrive -- looks like most are leaving.

I get to the actual trail start -- only dandelions in bloom. The creek next to the trail is flowing high/fast but at least its not covering the trail (which is a good sign).

I see a few flyers -- all Painted Ladies.

I also see a small black flyer -- must be that black moth with white spots. (Never do catch up to one.)

The trail looks in pretty good shape (minimal water) at the beginning as I've see worse. But I still cross one small flooded section and then straddle a section of trail that's flowing with water - not bad. But the big crossing is coming up.

I reach that crossing and there's a LOT of water. I've rock hopped and crossed over on logs before but all those rocks and logs are now under water. I look for a way around but other than making my own trail up to the peak and walking along it (or wading thru at least 2-3 ft of flowing water in spots - knowing there'll be more of these ahead), I'm done for today at probably 1/4 - 1/2 miles. :(

But it's nice to be out again on trails (no snow)!

Next week will be better as the water appears to be receding!

On the drive back out, I see a male Mallard in the creek and a Blue Heron along its shore!

Nice day!

April 14 - Dog Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Well today is the day I go exploring what the snow levels are in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The ski resorts close on Sunday for the season (even though there is still 120+ inches) so it's time to start getting up there.

Choosing Dog Lake because it's mid-canyon (~7300ft) so there's a chance the snow will have disappeared on at least part of the trail. (Boy was I wrong!)

It was sunny this morning but unfortunately the clouds have rolled in at the time I'm leaving for the hike. It's cool, low 50's in the valley.

The drive up the canyon is snow-free. The lime green invasive Spurge is everywhere at the mouth of the canyon. The creek is flowing but no where near "snow run-off" levels.

After I pass the Lake Blanche/Broads Fork parking, I start to see snow on the mountains ahead of me but the south facing slopes at the Dog Lake parking are clear. No cars here which should mean no folks on the trail (maybe that's an bad omen). Plenty of people however across the street heading up to Donuts Falls/Cardiff Mines and plenty of snow on those peaks.

Still cloudy and only 43 degrees when I park.

I start my hike with a ground squirrel sighting a few feet from my car. (One of many today.)

The first part of the trail has a bit of snow only on the trail -- packed down from the winter and behind trees. There's also moose/elk scat all along this east-bound trail - he is definitely using this trail to around.

Once past the snow beginning, the trail clear. I make a stop for a good look at Mt Reynolds across the street.

Continuing on, I reach the end of the east-bound portion of the trail and turn north. I'm shocked to see a Painted Lady flying (no sun/low 40s - a little strange but it was sunny earlier probably woke her up).

The trail is clear for only a bit longer than it becomes pretty much snow covered.

Lots of birds calling today -- woodpeckers, chickadees, ... And lots of ground squirrel calls too!

I continue over snow

until I reach the intersection with the "winter" trail from the Days Fork parking. The going is slow so it's time to head back.

On the way back, I see a chipmunk an OregonGrape with buds

and in the exact same spot, 2 Painted Ladies dancing together in the air.

Short but nice day!

April 9 - Spring Snow on Antelope Island

Well, winter hasn't quite left even though it's officially Spring. Got 3 inches of snow last night; looks beautiful on the trees and bushes this morning. The mountains got around 2ft, pushing the snow totals to over 500 inches (511 to be somewhat exact)!!!

Heard the nasty, swarming, biting gnats have hatched on Antelope Island which would normally end my early hiking season there. But with the snow and cold temps, I'm thinking the bugs will be frozen or buried so it's worth one more hike.

So off I go heading north to Antelope Island. It's almost 9am when I leave and hasn't even started to melt at by house but as I head north, there's no snow on the ground. They definitely got snow because I can see it on the mountains of Frary Peak and the foothills (to the east). But the sun is shining  more up here than in the city.

I arrive on the causeway -- the dreaded "No-see-Ums have hatched" sign is posted on the entrance station -- but it's really windy (from the West) --- there will be no insect problems today!!

Nice to see snow on the island's mountains again.

Lots of Gulls flying around and several new ducks. I try to take a photo but every time I roll-up, they fly. :(

The water on both sides of the causeway is a bit rough due to the wind.

Like normal, when I reach the island I head towards the Ranch. I don't have to travel far when I see a small herd of Pronghorn (I see 3) reflecting brightly in the sun and bright green grass.

Nice start to the day.

I continue on

It isn't till after Frary Peak that I spot something strange in the tall grasses near the shore. At first, I think they are 2 deer but on closer inspection; they are Sandhill Cranes!!

The rest of the drive is void of animals except one large hawk; he flies before I can get a good look.

The drive is pretty though.

I'm almost at the Ranch when I see a decent size herd of bison near the mountains.

There are a few Pronghorn hiding among the bison.

I reach the Ranch and start my walk. It's barely 40 degrees and that wind is blowing very cold.

There's another herd of bison again out near the mountains.

The wind is blowing so hard, I can barely hear the Larks singing.

At least there's a nice snowy mountain view ahead of me.

When I stop to take a photo at the Sentry Peak trail head,

I'm surprised by a Pronghorn!!! No, two Pronghorn!!

As I watch, they eventually prance away to the east.

I start my way to Mushroom Springs heading directly into the wind. I brought a light winter coat, a fleece and gloves but I didn't bring anything for my ears; they are freezing!!!

There are a couple of bison out in the grass to the south.

I reach the Springs and head north. The mountains help protect a bit from the wind but it's still there. There are a few blooming flowers.

I make it up one little hill when the wind hits again.

Time to turn around. :( It's a little hike at least.

On the way back, I stop at the little pond near the Springs.

As I crest the little hill, I startle a Mallard pair -- off they go. Also, I scare a Kildeer.

I continue back to my car and then head back north up the island. I find another Kildeer on my way back to the car.

Since I didn't get to the Sentry Peak ridge, I head up to the Frary Peak parking. Looking for good views

and new plants.

Nothing new on the way up other than that herd of Pronghorn (eight now) have moved to the other side of the road.

I head west to complete the loop around the Visitor's Center (and hopefully find some more bison). Instead I find a lone Pronghorn.grazing southeast.

I climb to the Buffalo Point parking. Can't help but one last glimpse of White Rock Bay.

No bison in the White Rock meadow; a few down by the shoreline.

I complete the loop and head back across the causeway. Along the way, I see one Goshawk flying west. And some Coots!

Good day!