Sunday, April 13, 2014

April 11 - Mormon Trail (Thru the creek and into the snow....)

Finally an off Friday!! Was planning on doing errands but when I was told task#1 would take 1/2 day, decided to go for a hike. I've been wanting to try the Mormon Trailbut not sure about snow (its on the other side of Parley's Summit before Park City so around 5500ft) -- but I don't see snow in the foothills so its worth a shot.

The drive up to the summit was interesting -- south facing slopes = no snow; north facing = snow and a lot. Was thinking about stopping at Lamb's Canyon but just driving by it looks like a snowshoe effort. But that's for another day. Today, the Mormon Trail (at least 1.5 hours of it, that's what I'm giving myself as a turn around time).

Sunny day, supposed to be in the low 70s again (a fair bit above normal). Driving thru the Jeremy's Ranch subdivision, these people still had snow on the shadier parts of their yard. The creek that the dirt road follows was flowing pretty good from the snowmelt. The willows in the creek beds were yellow/green with new growth; it very pretty.

The dirt road was in good shape for not being maintained thru the winter but the short drive on a private road to the parking area was quite holey and bumpy. The parking lot had only one car --- looks like I have it all to myself today (basically).

Before I even got on the trail, I was greeted by a Mourning Cloak -- a nice welcome. I get to the main trail and the creek was very loud and flowing fast thru the trees next to the trail. Somehow I think this will be an interesting hike. Not far along on the trail I meet an older gentleman coming from the other direction (the other car in the parking lot). He says "hi" and says that I should be ready to get wet today --- yep, interesting day coming soon.

Sure enough not too much further down the trail, the trail becomes a small creek. Its easy enough to walk on the very edges of the trail to stay out of the water at first but then the trail water finds a way down to the actual creek. Some conveniently placed rocks and branches get me across with dry feet and back on a dry trail again.

Lots of robins and squirrels running a bout. No leaves on the trees yet but there is plant life poking up thru the ground. Plenty of Mourning Cloaks flying as well as Hoary and Satyr Commas. Its so peaceful -- just me and the creek.

Because the creek was high, there are plenty of little waterfalls (over fallen trees, rocks, etc) and ripples. Took plenty of detours through the brush down to the creek for looks.

But then there are several interesting creek crossing when the creek and trail became one. I had to go over rocks, trees, dirt slopes just to get across. And in one case, I had to cross on a fallen log -- a tricky 10ft crossing that would have ended in a 3ft fall if I lost my balance. But it was all worth it!

I was expecting the Mourning Cloaks and Commas but seeing a Pearl Crescent bfly really surprised me (I was thinking it was too early).

At about the 1mile mark, the trail starts wrapping around to the northern side of the mountain and I started to see snow. It was still off to the left but its still snow. The further I went, the more snow there was and the closer I got to it. (And of course, I had to walk off-trail thru it to get a better view of the creek as it passed thru the snow. :)

But even with the snow closing in, the Tiger Beetles are out!!

And there are these tiny white flowers in a clump (only a few inches above the ground).

And I see a Sara Orangetip (it's a male - they always fly first)!!!

I finally get to a large roadblock (that's not flowing water); it a big tree that fell over the winter that is blocking the trail. To high to go over it so I have to crawl under it -- not really a big deal except on the other side of the tree is snow - a little cold on the hands and knees!

From there I'm walking on snow -- and sometimes post-holing along. But I'm coming up on the "camp" -- a big open meadow. It looks really pretty!


As I get closer to the pond, there are more of the tiny white flowers and I see a Brown Elfin nectaring!! (These guys are one of the first non-overwintering butterflies to fly in the Spring - and only in the Spring.)


There are also buttercups blooming. Lots of them in this meadow!

And there are moose dropping around -- but I don't see a moose :(

On a log in the pond are a male and female mallard duck. As I get closer, they spook and quack loudly and fly off. The area near the pond is always very wet and its more so today because above it, is all snow(melting snow). I see a bright blue flash --- it's a butterfly! And I go chasing it but quickly lose it -- probably a Spring Azure - hopefully I'll see it again. I also see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell.

I turn around and look the direction I came from -- the pond in the front, the meadow and a snowy mountain - so pretty.


Its taken not quite an hour to get here so I decide to keep going. But there more snow and climbing over trees to avoid the snow is getting tedious (and I have to repeat it all to get back to my car). I do make it to the old beaver dam --- the water is overflowing the dam - it's pretty neat.

I get around the dam to the pond and the 2 mallards get revenge and scare me as they quack and fly off again. (Was not expecting that!)

I decide its time to head back -- thru the snow, the creeks, over the logs. I see the blue butterfly again nectaring on that little white flower - its a Spring Azure!

On the way back I heard some "cha-cha" sound and saw a flash of movement in the woods. It was grey so it's not a deer. Seemed too small for a moose. Then the animal rustled toward me but I couldn't see it. I was
planning my escape route just in case it was a moose. Then I caught a glimpse of him - whew only a squirrel!

Almost back to the parking lot, I see another Sara Orangetip.

What a great day! Took a little effort on this hike but it was fun and challenging. And the effort paid off with 19+ Mourning Cloaks, Satyr & Hoary Commas, Milbert's Tortoiseshell, a Pearl Crescent, Brown Elfin, 2 Spring Azures and 2 Sara Orangetips; Tiger Beetles and very pretty scenery. And yea, my shoes and socks are a little wet --- but all worth it!




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