June 22 - Clayton Peak

This is a new area for me today - so I'm really excited. I actually tried on Saturday but when I got there, all the parking was taken. I supposed I could've parked along the road but quite honestly this road made my stomach turn - very steep drop-off and a curvy road. (The only other time that's happened to me was going to Mt Evans in CO - a total white-knuckler.) So trying to maneuver up there was totally out of the question. In fact instead of turning around, I started down the now gravel road to Park City. Fortunately for me, there was a closed side road and I was able to turn my car around (and not lose my breakfast). The exciting part of that journey was seeing an animal (maybe deer, elk -- possibly but unlikely moose) run across one of the mountain sides.

But I came back today!! The road I turn on is Guardsman Pass. It connects Big Cottonwood Canyon near the Brighton Ski Resort (i.e., end of the canyon) to Park City. The road is paved on the Big Cottonwood side but gravel towards Park City. The Pass is at elevation 9920 ft. The road is not maintained during the winter but is open for snowshoeing, x-country skiing and snow mobiles.

It's kinda sunny, kinda cloudy this morning -- about 54 degrees. I get there around 9:00 (same as yesterday) and there are only a few cars in the parking area. Yes, my stomach was turning even when parking because if you pull up too far, .... its a long way down. :)

It's a pretty view from the parking lot -- I can see the road for most of the way to Park City. Then its a heavy pine forest and some peaks. Across the road is a mountain -- bald, no trees -- with a trail going up it and along its side. Will have to investigate for a possible hike later this summer/fall.

Time to start this adventure.  There are actually 2 trails, one going left crossing the mountain, not sure where it goes but its not where I'm heading which is a 1/2 mile, 500 ft climb to Peak 10,420 (yes, its at an elevation of 10,420 ft). And its steep!!

The trail is a mix of dirt trail, dirt/rocks trail and rocky trail. I'm not blazing up the trail, just taking my time, making sure of good footing and looking and enjoying the sights. Lots of yellow wallflower, red paintbrush and a small white mustard plants (lots of them). There's also a plant with a yellow flower which looks like it may be from the Parsley family but the leaves of the plant don't resemble what I know as Parsley. (A lady I met later thought it may be from the Buckwheat family --  it was quite common.)

Lots of little side trails but they all connect back up to the main trail -- I think they just let people pick alternate routes in case they don't like where they are heading.

There's one flowery section that I really like looking towards Park City.

Its on a little hill which I took a side trail too (I'm hoping this is 10420 Peak -- because the trail from here, gets really steep!! But I don't think it is.)

There's a dead tree that looks quite pretty in the morning sky.

Still higher, there a section of yellow buttercups that blanket the slope. This section was under snow not too longer ago because there's still snow around.

Still climbing.

I'm high enough now I can see where the other trail at the start is heading, there's a nice lake down there. With a little island!

Still climbing and seeing more snow. Thankfully all of it so far is off the trail. I can now see a 2nd lake down below.

I can see 2 peaks, the one in front of me has snow blocking its path. So I go right trying to get around it and I get a sneak peak of the grand view that I'm heading towards -- not too shabby.

I make my way around the snow and back to a trail. I look back over the snow and the view is not too bad either.

The trail seems to be going around the peak -- I want to go up. I'm ready to make my own route when a find a side trail. I also meet 3 people (a man and 2 women) coming the opposite way along the main trail. I ask if this is Clayton Peak. They weren't sure but they all thought it was Peak 10420 (boy, it seemed I went further than a 1/2 mile!!) They said they were just around the corner enjoying the view and now heading back down.

I just continue up towards the Govt Marker at the top. And oh my, what a view!!

This overlooks the Solitude and part of the Brighton Ski resorts to the south. And I can see mountain tops that I can't see from below!

There's a couple of Western White butterflies flying -- at 10,420 ft!!! They are hilltopping!

There are a couple of peaks to my left. Clayton Peak is the one on the right.

And then there's the view back towards the parking area.

And the lake below.

But there's a couple of large cairns up the trail to my left so I head there.

The cairns are a little higher up but the view is the same -- spectacular!!

There's a chipmunk up there -- he seems larger than the one's below (probably a little extra fur to keep warm up there).

I work my way back down to the spot where I think the people I met a few minutes ago where resting. Not too shabby.

There's more snow to deal with on the trail so I think Clayton Peak will have to wait until another day.

I see a yellow/black swallowtail fly by me on the way down. It could be an Anise but it looked different - a little more black than an Anise. I would have loved to chase it but the trail is too steep and rocky for that.

I met a husband & wife on the way down -- they were on their way up. The man had a little girl 3'sh yr old on his back and the lady was carrying a baby. The little girl was cute because they saw 3 moose crossing the trail before they started up -- she was really excited! They told me that the side trail below headed down to one of the lakes I saw. I need to check that out.

I make it down and take the other trail which is nice and flat. I see another white butterfly -- this one's a Large Marble.

Lots of pretty patches of flowers along the way. Too bad its now cloudy because it would be interesting to see what bflies are out around 10K ft.

I make it to the lake. It's surrounded by pine. There is still snow in spots along the lake.

I was hoping to see some moose -- maybe next time.

This was fun! I want to come back in a few weeks when more flowers are blooming.

June 20 - Mormon Trail

After a high of around 45 with rain on Tues (and snow in the mountains), its finally back to some more seasonal temps (mid-80s).

A little cloudy this morning but I'm heading to the Mormon Trail - was going to do a mountain trail but was a little slow moving this morning.

The day starts off right as they FINALLY graded the dirt road to the trailhead. It was so holey and bumpy (and getting worse) that I was thinking of not coming back. Now I don't have to worry about that.

I've come here many times and have never seen cows in the range land but today they are there. And I had to even o around a few in the middle of the road.

It was 63 at the trailhead at 10am - and cloudy. Wasn't expecting much with respect to bflys as even I was a little chilly (it was damp) - but time will tell. Started the trail with 2 Goldfinch.

White Yarrow, Goat's Beard (big dandelion-like seed head), cinquefoil and lupine are in bloom. There are few bflys flying (just a few) - I see a Boisduval's Blue, my Relict Frit, Northern Checkerspots and for the first time this year on this trail -- Weidemeyer's Admirals (lots of them today).

The prize on the way out -- Purplish Copper -- he was hard to follow but he finally landed.

There is White & Pink Geraniums blooming as well as the Mountain Wild Hollyhock - a pretty delicate pink flower).

I was noticing a lot of the grass was flattened and couldn't figure out why. I need to figure this out.

Spot a couple of chipmunks.

I get to the camp and notice Western Coneflowers are starting to bloom - they have no petals (called rayless composites).

The yellow monkeyflowers in the wet areas are also blooming. Dragonflies are out. And not only is the grass flattened in spots but many young trees are also bent over. Hmmm.

As I'm moving trees out of my way on the trail, it finally hits me, Park City (just a hop from here had snow on Tuesday -- bet the flattened grass and the bent trees are from the snow as well -- I'm buying that theory).

About the 3 mile mark, the sun finally comes out - the butterflies should start picking up soon.

Get to my lunch bench in record time -- there wasn't many butterflies to slow me down. The little Spring pond is mostly dried up -- will check the muddy spots for bflys after lunch.

I watch a ground squirrel standing outside his hole while I eat. He stood there the whole time I ate lunch staring in the distance.

Went down to pond -- found a Lilac Bordered Copper, a Dotted Blue, and a few Northern Cloudywings in some of the muddier areas.

Time to head back -- perfectly sunny now. And the bflies are out -- Commas, tons of Mourning Cloaks, a few Milbert's Tortoiseshell, Common Checkered Skippers, Dreamy Duskywings, Relict Frits, Swallowtails, Clodius Parnassian (I see about 9 of them) , etc...

A swallowtail finally stops -- he's a Two-Tailed.

The Frits are out.

Got a little excited on the way back as I'm looking for a Pale Crescent -- I have never seen one and it has been recorded near here. I see a Crescent (it's not a Northern Crescent) and I'm pretty excited that it may be one. Problem is that I forget about the Mylitta Crescent that flies here -- and that's what it ended up being. (Maybe next time.)

Another great day (over 20 species of bflies seen).

June 15 - Lake Mary & Martha

The goal today is Catherine's Pass which is above the Brighton Ski Resort. If I make it, depending on snow conditions, I'm thinking of heading down into the Uinta Basin -- the access road is still closed so hiking is a short-cut OR up to Sunset Peak.

It was a cool day in SLC yesterday barely reaching 70 and a very cool night. It was 57 when I left my house this morning -- 49 up at Brighton (ele ~8750ft) and cloudy (but no rain in the forecast). There are a few cars in the parking lot at 10am but I see no one heading up the trail.

To Lake Mary (the first lake) it's about a 765ft climb in a bout 1 mile. The trail only exists after the ski season ends as it is part of the ski runs. Lots of Avalanche Lilies blooming and a few bluebells.

There's still some snow on the slope but the trail is clear so far.

There's a chipmunk scavenging on the trail in front of me -- he sure does have a long tail.

As the trail heads into the woods, I start to run into snow on the trail (in parts) -- its hard packed so not to bad to walk on.

I pass the trail to Dog Lake (I'll hit that on the way home) and start the last little push to Lake Mary. Lots of snow on the rocky slopes here. The sun is starting to peak out now.

I get to Lake Mary and she's beautiful as usual. Still snow on the mts surrounding her. I take some time to explore a little before continuing onto Lake Martha.

The trail turns around the mountain and there's much more snow on the trail. But I can tell where people have walked (the snow is dirty and there are footsteps) so I keep going. The trail is now in the woods and all I really see is snow. I ask a Dad/Mom/Son coming the other direction how far they went -- they said Catherine Lake and that's its alternates between a snowy and dirt trail along the way. So I go on, passing Lake Martha (which I've never been down too -- maybe on the way back).

The trail is snowy on the other side of Lake Martha but I'm still following tracks in the snow but they are getting fewer and then they stop.

I know I'm not that far from Lake Catherine but there's no trail to follow. I'm so close ....  but I don't know the trail well enough to blaze it myself so I turn around.

Some of the snow piles I crossed were pretty steep so I do a little purposeful feet skiiing down them -- its easier than trying to walk down.

I make my way back to the Lake Martha turn-off and head down. Another very pretty lake tucked into mountain range. I look for moose but find only tracks. But its a great spot for lunch --- I only hear the birds singing.

After lunch, it's down to Lake Mary -- still only a few people here. I know it's Father's Day but I was expecting more people.

As I turn to head to Dog Lake, I see lots of people heading up.

Dog Lake is a smaller lake which probably comes close to drying up over the summer but its still very pretty. There are a lot of Marsh Marigolds around the lake -- quite beautiful.

I try to walk around the lake and 2 ground squirrels are playing and running right towards me. They finally sense my presence, stop and then resume chasing each other heading in the opposite direction.

The trail doesn't go around, at least for today. I run into a big rock and lots of snow, so I head back.

On the way down, I see my only bfly for today and it's a Frit.

And I see Gray Headed Junco -- little gray bird with a tan patch on its shoulder -- he seemed to be chasing ground squirrels.

Great day!

June 13 - Lamb's Canyon

It's early Friday (which is not as good as off-Friday but it works) and a very pleasant 77 degrees and sunny, time for a quick after work hike  up Lamb's Canyon.

Last time I was here, there was still snow in the upper shadier parts, don't think it will be there today.

As I drive down the curvy canyon road to the small parking lot, I see a dirty white colored bfly -- the Clodius Parnassians are flying today - yea!!!

I was surprised to see 3 cars in the parking area -- it's Friday afternoon at 2:30 but I'm happy.

I first check out the muddy area next to the parking lot. We haven't had rain in quite some time so I was happy to see water and mud. And extremely happy to see 4 Dotted Blues!!!! (First time for the year and 1st time for this location.)

The mud was actually not very active, perhaps its because of the time of day or simply this brood of Duskywings and Blues is done --- just waiting for the next generation - which for some, is next Spring.

There were a couple of Northern Cloudywing, an old Field Crescent, a Sagebrush Checkerspot and a few Western Tailed Blue. A very small bfly caught my eye so I follow it. It lands on a blowing piece of tall grass - its so small I wasn't sure what it was. But fortunately, the bfly was calm and I was able to grab the top of the grass blade so it won't move back and forth in the wind -- its a very tiny Spring Azure!!!

I check in back of the bathroom, it usually has a bunch of flowers and lots of bflys but its really dry and nothing is blooming or flying. :(

Time for the hike. As I cross the creek, I look at the bushes that are blooming with fragrant white flowers and there's a Weidemeyer's Admiral nectaring. (It's the first one I've seen this year and the only one for today.)

Well, the trail is definitely more lush than last time. Lots of geranium and bluebells blooming on the lower portions. The lupine are blooming now as well. The spots of yellow are the Arnica.

There's a good number of bflies out but many of them are just zipping down the trail --- that's frustrating for me. But I do see some more Dotted Blues, Cloudywings and my 1st Northern Checkerspot of the season.

I'm seeing a good number of Parnassians flying too -- I like that - just need one to stop.

The White Columbine are in various stages of bloom. There are some white rockets (all closed up) and some really nice blooms.

I see a Frit land on some of the blooming bushes. I really wish I could confidently ID these -- there are only 2 I feel confident about. I've half convinced myself these are Northwestern Frit but they maybe Callipe (or any of the other 4-5 that fly here).

As I get higher, there are more Commas flying (a mixture of Hoary and Satyr).

I finally get to a mud puddle -- there's another Frit, a Northern Cloudywing and a few Western Tailed Blues and Spring Azures.

And finally a Parnassian comes in and lands -- great look at both the upper and lower wings. Love its yellow head -- looks like its all covered in pollen.

Further up I see a small dark bfly. Of course he lands high in the bushes. I'm thinking he might be a Hairstreak --- after further review of the photo, its a Brown Elfin. I see another one further up the trail.

Still higher on the trail, the Meadow Rue is in bloom with its dangling tassels.

There are lots of Mitrewort and Baneberry - some with puffy white balls of flowers, others post-bloom. The forest looks great with all the Baneberry in bloom!

The last 1/4 mile, there are still some Spring Beauties in bloom, lots of white violets along with the Baneberry. (This was under snow a couple weeks back.)

I'm finally at the top. Lots of plant life just not much blooming. The trees are all leafed out - kinda blocking the view. The tall mountains in the distance still have a little bit of snow on them. And the city, well, its very hazy.

After a brief stop, time to head down.

The trail is pretty shady now -- after just after 4pm when I head down.

Along the way I see snake -- looks like a garter snake. And a Parnassian spread out flat on a flower -- perfect upperwing shot.

Very few bflies out now -- too shady.

I also see a caterpillar on the bluebells. I saw these last year and never pursued what it finally turns into. I need to find someone who can answer that question because its not in my caterpillar book and I can't find anything on Net that has a bluebell as a host plant. This guy is feeding on a leaf and their frass below.

Great trip!!

June 8, 2014 - Lake Solitude

Supposed to be a gorgeous day in SLC today - mid-70s (not too common in June). I'm looking for a pretty easy day hiking (sore knee) so I'm heading back up Big Cottonwood Canyon to Silver Lake. Its the same location as last week-end except today I'm going to Lake Solitude (it's only 1.1 miles to the lake).

I actually get going earlier than normal for me just before 9am. Only a couple of cars in the parking area --- but 3 cars followed me in -- all one family.

Its about 50 degrees which isn't bad but there's a pretty strong wind blowing so on goes the fleece.

I head down the right side of Silver Lake to make it to the trail first -- I'm hoping I'll get the Lake all to myself. Lots of birds chirping this morning.

I head up the same trail as last week but at the split, take the Lake Solitude sign. What a difference a week makes! The Avalanche Lilies are still blooming (although they are now fading) but the piles of snow I had to climb down last week are all but gone -- easy hiking. It's still early so I'm looking for moose or deer.

There is a small yellow flower that's about to burst open but I see them in only one location. When the aspen forest turns to a pine forest, I start seeing snow again. Just patches of snow (some pretty large) and the trail is also covered. Its a patch of snow then clear, patch of snow, then clear probably for about a 1/2 mile. The snow is hard so I can quick step across. But as always, when I get too confident, I sink to my shin.

I start hearing flowing water but I can't find where it is coming from - somehow I think it's overflow from the lake because I have to be getting near it.

I do see a couple who I assume are by the lake. One more snow crossing and I should be there. I pass them on the trail -- they are trail runners. I ask about moose but they only saw deer.

When I get to the lake -- it's all mine. A little lake surrounded on 2.5 sides by mountains. The mountain I'm looking at still has snow (and a ski lift). The lake is very calm and reflects the mountain.

I take the trail to the right and find out the source of the water flow -- it is the overflow from the lake running down the hill. A little footbridge allows me to cross. There's a little path heading thru the willows (which are blooming - little fuzzy round things) to the lake. Pretty awesome view.

The trail leads to an access road so I turn around and start to head around the other side of the lake. I didn't see this earlier but there are small red Indian Paintbrush in bloom next to the yellow Wallflower.

Wasn't expecting these considering this was snow-covered not so long ago - but I like. To get around the "top" of the lake I had to walk the whole way across snow -- again hard-packed. Some pretty nice views across the lake.

I get to the other side (and out of the snow) and head uphill to a little trail for a pretty decent look at the lake in it's bowl. And the snow that still is on the mountain. I cross the far side to the access road, back across the footbridge and to the trail. I stop to soak the whole experience in (and there's still no one else at the lake - yea!!!)

I head back down and meet a lady almost at the lake. She's a little nervous about continuing because of the snow but I tell her, she's almost there and its worth it.

And then I meet another couple heading to the lake. And still further down the trail, I meet the family who parked next to me -- probably 12-15 of them heading to the lake. I definitely had good timing today.

I get back to Silver Lake -- lots more people now and finish the loop of the lake. I find Shooting Stars in bloom along the lake; they were not here last week.

I hear some movement alongside the trail and stop. I bend to look into the leaf-less brush and see a ground squirrel. I stay perfectly still and instead of running he cautiously comes up onto the trail. He's looking around and appears to spook a couple of times but stays on the trail. I'm 2-3 feet from him. I very slowly stand-up and grab my camera and get off a couple of shots before he leaves. Pretty cool!

I find Buttercups in bloom further up the trail.

And watch a couple of Mallard ducks feeding -- one with his feet in the air.

And then there's the other Mallard sound asleep in the late morning sun.

Another great day!!

June 6 - Mormon Pioneer Trail (Summer flyers are out!!)

It's my day off - yea! Time to check on butterflies on the Mormon Trail. Its been 2 weeks since I've been there. The late Spring/early Summer flyers were just starting (i.e,. Field Crescent) at time.. Also, I was there about a year ago and got my first glimpse at the Relict Frittilary. This bfly flies in just a very narrow portion of the central Rockies (far western Idaho/far eastern WY, NW CO and NE UT) -- I have one of its locations).

Perfect morning - in the 60s when I left and its sunny.

There are lots of Northern Cloudywings just outside of the parking lot to the bridge. I couldn't believe there were so many.

When I get to the "real trail", I quickly hear that there is no more water -- at least in the lower part of the trail. The creek bed is now dry. The only thing I hear are birds singing.

The first butterfly I see is the Common Ringlet - a beautiful tannish lower flyer. And they were very common all along the trail today.

The Wasatch Beardtongues are blooming.

as are the Tapered Onions (little pink flowers on a stalk), Bluebells, Pussytoes (bunches in only one spot of the trail),

Balsamroot and many others.

There are tons of blue bflies a bout. All the way along the trail -- especially the muddier section (which bflies always love for the salts). Most of the ones I looked at were Western Tailed Blues but there were some Azures in the mix (and maybe some others).

I see an mid-sized orange bfly -- could it be the Relict? It stops and its a Sagebrush Checkerspot -- the 1st for the year. Also see a large white butterfly -- this one drove me crazy last year for some time because I didn't know what it was -- but finally I did get a good look so I know its a Parnassian. (Saw 3 today.)

The yellow swallowtails were soaring which is great because I'm trying get a good look so I can ID these in flight; they are either Western or Two-tailed. Fortunately for me, several of the 7 I saw today got really close. I noticed that a couple were really huge and didn't have as much black markings which means that they are 2-tails. I had a good lesson today; hopefully I can repeat and get more confident. (And trying to see that 2nd tail -- impossible for me as least for now.)

There were several orange flyers -- Northern Crescent, Field Crescent, and the new Sagebrush Checkerspot -- and I still think, a Relict Frit.

I see my first dragonfly of the day -- Its a species darner.

I come upon a little patch of flowers -- lots of orange and blue bflies but one catches my eye. He lands on a flower but his wings are closed and he's facing the wrong direction. I move very slowly to the right and was able to see that he is a Purplish Copper (the 1st of the year) and then he flies --- couldn't find him again.

I stop at all the muddy areas to check out bflys. Blues, blues and blues, lots of Northern Cloudywings and Duskywings -- a mixture of Rocky Mt, Sleepy and Dreamy. At one of the muddy spots, I notice a smaller brown bfly -- its a Mexican Cloudywing (1st of the year). The size difference is quite obvious between the Northern and Mexican (again good lesson learned).

Someone has been out to chop down the tree I've been crawling under all year. Yea!!!

I'm nearing the camp and I see a Goldfinch!!!

I've seen plenty of year in Chicago, had them my yard - but I've never seen one in UT. Quite exciting. When I get to the camp, there were 2 more perched on some dead stalks.

Well the dragonflies are out around the pond. Will have to check them out on my way back.

I see a little brown bfly and am surprised its a very old and beaten Brown Elfin -- thought these would be long gone but some are still clearly hanging on.

All the flood ponds (including the beaver dam) are dry -- a couple muddy spots here and there.

Just before the 3 mile marker, the creek began to have water. Not gushing water, just a slow stream in some spots and stagnant water in others. At one of these spots, I'm looking at the bflies in the muddy spots when I heard the hum of a hummingbird flying. I looked up to see a flash of a green body but then it flew into the trees. When I heard the hum again, I saw the bird fly down into the creek bed (it had water). I couldn't see so I slowly moved  to the left hoping to catch it in the water. But it once again flew into the tree. I did see it brush its bill against a branch (kinda like sharpening a sword). I waited, hoping it would fly back. But I gave up and started to move - only to hear the hum again. I looked and couldn't find it -- perhaps it was finally flying off. Regardless, it was pretty cool.

The Sara Orangetip are out at this higher elevation. Very common bfly on this part of the trail.

I get to my lunch spot --- the wooden bench over looking the little spring pond -- and it is back to a little pond w/ no torrent of water flowing down the hill side. In a few weeks, it will be a mud hole. As I have lunch, I watch several robins hunting along the pond's muddy edges.

Time to head back. Its warmer now and the sun is higher so there should be even more bflies out.

Noticed a lot more Mourning Cloaks out now -- I see over 20 on my way down.

I find a really good muddy spot; it had the usual Blues, N Cloudywing but it had both the Sleepy and Dreamy Duskyings. Again, the side-by-side comparison is quite striking. The Dreamy is much smaller than the Sleepy. And I can clearly see the a slant on the upper wing. Store image in brain for the future. :)

I'm walking along and I see a Frittilary in the middle of the trail - not the one I was expecting but still my first Frit of the year -- It's a Callipe. Summer is here!

I'm almost back to the camp/pond and I stop to get a drink water next to a wet part of the streambed  when I spot what could be my Relict Frit fly by. I watch it land pretty much right next to me and it's the Relict!!

I have a water bottle in my mouth (which I don't want to take the time to take it out of my mouth cause I don't when it will fly). So with the bottle hanging from my mouth, I grab my camera and snap off a few photos. Its actually in a bad position for a photo (wings closed and opposite me). So I do put my bottle away and adjust my position. Then it opens its wings -- beautiful! It crawls up on a rock and I get a good look at its underside.

What a nice way to cap off the day!!!

But it not over. There's a Skipper flying and I think he's a little confused -- a dandelion seedhead is NOT a good place to get nectar.

I get back to the pond and its time to check out the dragonflies. I see a paired couple of Dot Tailed Whitefaces (and some singles).

There was a Bluet damselfly and another gold dragonfly.

Further along on the trail, there's a chipmunk sitting on a log nibbling on what looks like a dandelion head. Interesting but it must be tasty.

But its not quite over, a little further down the trail, I see one Garita Skipperling (a first for the year)!

Great day in every way: birds, dragonflies, and butterflies (28 species today)!!!

June 3 - White Fir Pass (Millcreek Canyon)

Decided to take a hike after work today and even try a new location. I had heard the White Fir Pass trail in Millcreek Canyon was really pretty so that's where I'm going.

I've only been in Millcreek Canyon twice -- both times to hike Grandeur Peak so I wasn't quite sure where the Terraces Picnic Area was in the canyon. So passed the Grandeur Peak picnic area and several more but didn't see any signs indicating the Terraces. I saw someone coming down from another trail and asked -- naturally is was right around the corner. :)

I didn't figure there'd be parking at the trailhead (there wasn't at Grandeur Peak), so I parked along the road and walked the 1/4mile hill (gaining about 200ft) only to find out (naturally) there was parking at the trailhead.

Its around 90 in SLC but here, it's a cool 77-- really nice.

The area is all wooded (pines, maples, oaks) and quite pretty. The picnic areas are at different levels so I guess the name Terraces fits quite aptly.

The White Fir Pass Trail follows the Bowman Fork Trail. Its about 2 miles and gains about 1500ft in elevation ending at around 7600ft. (My work-out for the evening.)

The trail is heavily shaded (except in the few spots) and at least for the first mile follows a small creek (its about 4-5 ft across). The snow is melted here so the creek is just gently flowing (not a torrent). Its also a pretty gradual incline.

There's lots of Douglas Fir trees in this forest as the trail is covered in their pine cones.

Along the way, there are 5 footbridges to cross the creek. Lot of blues around the muddy crossings. I see Western Tailed, Azures and Silvery Blues. There are also some Northern Cloudywings, Northern Crescents, Rocky Mt Duskywings, and Satyr Commas - mostly around these creek crossings.

There is a sunny opening with bunches of bluebells blooming. On one of them is a Mourning Cloak resting. The purple Virginia Bowers vine is in bloom. (Not as many as on the Lamb's Canyon trail.)

Lots of dogs on the trail -- Millcreek is one of a few canyons where dogs are allowed as it is not a watershed.

After the 3rd bridge the real climbing.

Finally, some relief on the uphill as I reach the first of 3 switchbacks. There are lots of mitreworts in bloom now. These plants have one of the tiniest white flowers I've ever seen on a long stem. Lots of Solomon Seal too.

This section is the coolest because I'm rising higher off the forest floor. To the left of me, is a steep grade upwards and to the right is a steep grade downwards. Both sides filled with trees and brush -- lots of green. Its a nice forest with lots of openings


on the floor for flowers and there are spots of yellow from the Arnicas in bloom

and lots of puffy white blooms from the Baneberry (lots of Baneberry).

It's very really pretty on the downhill side.

I finally make to what I think is the Pass. Its an opening, there's a few logs to sit on, and a few short sidetrails for a better view of the mountains (some with still a bit of snow on them).

So it looks like the right place AND I did go up the noted 3 switchbacks. But since the trail continues (and the fact it only took me an hour), I'm not convinced.

I continue on the trail for another 10 minutes or so as it tracks alongside the woods - to the right is big wooded valley with the overlook of the mountains. The Wild Geraniums are in bloom here (it's sunny) and the Lupine are about to bloom.

Well enough for the night, time to head back down.