Aug 4 - Lambs Canyon

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-80s. Yes, that's right, 80s! 

Big cool off and a bunch of rain Wed & Thurs. Hope it stays the rest of the summer but at least for the next week, the temps will be less than 90 degrees.

Thought about going up to hike up to Twin Lakes the alternate way but decided to hike up Lambs Canyon. There should be less people and it's a greater elevation change and if I can make it "easily" it'll give me confidence for my trip to Mt Rainer and Northern Cascades next week.

So off to Lambs Canyon.

I arrive about 9am. There's a few cars in the lot.

It's a cool morning and with the rain last night, I think it'll be a wet hike as I'm sure I'll be brushing up against alot of dropping flower plants.

I start up the trail spotting a Virgin Bowers crazy hair seed pod.

Lots of slash piles around - I guess they didn't get around to burning them last Fall OR perhaps the Forest Service was creating new piles; they had the trail closed for several weeks early in the Spring.

It definitely has made a difference as it is way more open and there's tons more Thimbleberry plants.

There are plenty of flowers still in bloom but it's definitely past peak. I see Lupine, Hollyhocks,

Geraniums, Horsemint, Yellow flowers, Fireweed, Asters, etc.

And Baneberries in seed - green and red pods.

First butterfly of the day is a Painted Lady. I see a few of them today.

Farther up, I'm seeing Great Spangled Frits (male and female). They are the butterflies I see the most today.

I'm making good progress and before long I'm at the meadow. There lots of bees on the flowers

Time to cross over to the other side of the canyon.

Much thicker vegetation now. I have to feel for the trail in spots.

Along the last stretch, I find White Columbine in bloom!

Soon I'm at the top!!

Beautiful view!

After a brief rest, it's time to start down.

Still seeing GSF and Painted Ladies on the way down. Also see another Frit which I think is a Mormon Frit.

I also see a Weidemeyer's Admiral - two actually!

And Western Tiger Swallowtails!

And a dragonfly.

Oh, and near that Virgin Bowers hair pod, I find a seed pod of Solomon's Seal.

Great day!

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