Utah Adventure 2023

 Sunny day with highs near 100. This is stop 2 of my day. Around 64 degrees and the sun has not risen above the mountains yet and there are clouds in the sky. First time for me on this trail. I was going to hike it this week but today's the day. I start up the trail and the 1st thing I notice is the amount of flowers in bloom. I don't think I've ever seen it more impressive. There's Brown Coneflower (in bloom), Tall Groundsel (tall yellow), Asters, Monkshood (lots of Monkshood), Hyssop (lots of it), Fireweed, and many others. And there's Spiddlebugs and their spiddle is dripping this morning (have never saw that before). I see some deer/moose tracks on the trail. Plenty of hummingbird moths; not nectaring. They are flying under the leaves. Strange to me. And there are hummingbirds with bright red chests; again they are not nectaring. I reach the meadow stopping at this flower and stop before entering the Aspens Quite lush on the other side. Can't make it to the

 Sunny day with highs near 100 (again). Heading up to Silver Lake to hike up to Twin Lakes (and the Pass) for the first time this year. A little nervous but very excited. Passing the Willow Lake area and there are only a few cars. Strange as it's been packed the last couple of time I've passed. I get to Silver Lake at 7am. Still plenty of spots in the lot.  Hoping they have the boardwalk done, but no still closed. Bummer! Not sure what's taking so long. There's also a sign saying something about closure Solitude and Twin Lakes. I'm thinking my big hill after Lake Solitude is closed, which would be weird, but let's find out! So I start my walk around "open" boardwalk. It still get to me to trailhead. A lot less water flowing around today than a few weeks ago. As I close in on the pier, I notice a beaver on the Lake. Come early and you are bound to see them. Looks like they've also begun work on the pier on the other side of the lake. Hmm. I also not

 Sunny, hot (near 100 degrees) today. And for the 3rd off-Friday in a row I'm heading back to Mirror Lake Hwy because I'm hoping the butterflies will be out and the flowers in full bloom AND I can do this because after 12 weeks, I'm finally released from the ortho doc w/ no restrictions - YEA!!!! My plan is to try something new and hike from Ruth Lake. I've seen the signs on the Lofty Lake trail for 2 years, so it's time to give it a try. And I'll lose a tons of the rocks I'll need to step on/over on the other trail. I think that's a good idea for someone whose just released from a broken foot. However, when I get to the Ruth Lake parking, it's full. I guess there's a lot of backcountry campers last night. So back to the Pass Lake Trailhead I go. When I get there, it's much fuller than 2 weeks ago but still plenty of spots. I gear up and head up the trail. It's a mix of Spring and Summer flowers along the way. Lots of Spring Heartleafed A

 Mostly sunny day with highs near 100 and I'm heading to the Mormon Trail for the 1st time this year!! Woot, Woot! Technically I probably shouldn't go because of that little very steep hill at the start but I'm 5 days from my appt and my foot feels great, I think I'm ready! Not sure what to expect; it is the end of the season but I'll find out. After working 2.5 hr to finish my work-week, I'm off to the trailhead.  I arrive around 8:30 I think, I didn't check. I gear up and start my hike.  I see a Gold Finch male all bright and yellow right of the start. I cross the bridge and the trail is a jungle as expected. I try for the real trail because the ground (at least at this point) is dry. But there are so many paths and the grasses are tall and wet, I decide to go the steep hill way. It's less of a jungle and it gets me to the top unscathed (but very wet). At the top, I find a  Sego Lily - I don't think I've ever seen one here before (then I'm

 Sunny morning with temps heading to 104 degrees today. Decided to get a longer hike with more elevation in this morning by walking the Alta Summer Road. The road is not yet open for car so it should be a nice quiet 1.9 mile walk. I'm looking forward to seeing what the flower status is and hopefully see some butterflies. I arrive just after 7am. Many more cars parked this morning than 2 weeks ago - probably because there is far less snow on the ground. I start up the road which is still in the shade as the sun is not over the mountains yet. That's good for keeping cool but not good for seeing butterflies. Along the first stretch, there is still water alongside the road. I'm finding lots of Columbine and a few White Bog Orchids. The 2nd stretch yields more Columbine and Orchid along with fluffy willow buds and a singing bird. Rounding the corner for the final long stretch, I'm now seeing summer flowers not a lot of them. It's still mostly just lots of green vegetatio

Still sunny when I arrive at the Pass Lake trailhead a few minutes after leaving Ruth Lake. And surprise, there plenty of parking spots at the trail head. I start along the trail to Reid's Meadow which is one section on the clockwise approach to Lofty Lake.  The trail head downhill (bummer) for about 150-200 feet before reaching the meadow.  I'm seeing damselflies and black dragonflies. I also notice that it's still filled with spring flowers - Avalanche Lilies (mostly in bloom), Marsh Marigold, and tons of Spring Beauties. Not expecting to find butterflies except perhaps a Comma (or the like). I do find a few summer flowers like Paintbrush and others. And the Elephanthead is in bloom!! Many more mosquitoes along the trail especially in the wet/muddy spots which there are plenty. They are not terrible but I'm sure I'm getting eaten up especially my shoulders. At one point I see a small flyer and it lands on a pine tree. Hey, that's 2 Western Pine Elfins in one s