My Utah Adventure 2026

 Sunny day (in the morning) with a high in the mid-70s. Today I am heading up to Twin Lake via the Millie Express trail. I have my spikes in pack but I'm hoping the snow that blocked my path last time will be melted (or mostly melted). Beautiful morning! Again a low traffic morning in BCC - sure wish it would stay this way the entire summer. No critter sightings on the drive and I'm the only car at the lift. It's sunny and in the upper 40s. Lots of snow has melted. The trail up to Lake Mary was 90% snow last time; today about 10% (maybe Sunday?!) The falls at the start of the trail is flowing less than before and the trail is dry. Still lots of Marmots running all up and down the trail. The big snow piles are gone and only 2 smaller sections of snow remaining both easy to go around. Lots of birds singing. I see a male Western Tanager early on - very exciting bird to see!! Also finding lots of Glacier Lilies especially in the newly snow areas. Also finding a few Ballon Flowe...

 Mostly cloudy day with temps in the low 80s. I'm getting an early start to hike up to Lake Solitude today. Maybe (if clear) I'll head up to above Twin Lakes; but the goal is Lake Solitude. I have my spikes with me just in case. I leave my house just after 6:30. Worked for me last week and hopefully will today; hoping for a clear drive and to beat crowds.  And surprise it worked again. I followed no one and there were only a few cars in the lot. Wish it would be that way all summer but the tourists are coming (unfortunately). It's in the low 40s and the sun is not over the mountains. Pretty weird sight to Silver Lake without ice/snow in May. I guess there is snow on the far side but it's not in my path today. No moose, no beaver; just some Mallards on the lake. Trail is dry around Silver Lake is dry to the TH.  I didn't miss the Glacier Lilies this year; they are just starting to bloom. Bluebells are coming up and all the other flowers including Spring Beauty. I...

 Sunny day with temps in the low 70s. It's a short work day, so today I'm hiking the Little Cottonwood Creek Trail. It'll be for the 1st time this year and probably the last. Not that it's bad; it was my staple when I moved here. There are just other options due to the lack snowfall. I arrive just before noon and I'm surprised that the parking is almost full. I was expecting this later in the day but this year? It's a popular bike trail but today I ran into lots of folks on their way down from hike. Perhaps it was a morning meet-up. Trail is dry (as expected) and not many flowers. I see Salsify, Wild Onion,  Dandelions but not much happening. Water is not running at the parking lot but it is higher up the trail. I do see a Northern Crescent on my trek from the parking lot to the actual trail at the water facility. And yes, there is water flowing at the facility; it's just not making it down stream. I arrive at the bridge with the water flowing nicely. And I ...

 Mostly cloudy day with highs in the low 50s (brr). Wanted to hike to Willow Lake yesterday but when I got there, it was too crowded. So, today I'm hiking to Willow Lake. Leave my house just before 7am hoping to beat the crowds and increase my chances of seeing moose. The drive up BCC is so much calmer than yesterday; no runner/bikers and traffic is minimal. In fact, I drive up to Willow Lake TH with no one in front me. :) I do see two deer (together) on the drive up. I had to slow down them just in case they got jumpy. I get to the TH and there are 2 cars there. From where the cars are parked, I'm thinking, campers. The temps are in the low 30s. I start up the trail and I'm seeing Bluebells, OregonGrape, Larkspur, Balsamroot and lots of green. The aspens are still in the leaf-out process. It's quiet; love it! It's a lollipop trail and I complete the 1st section of the "stick" and the trail veers left and I come to a dead stop because there's a cow moo...

 Mostly cloudy day with highs in the upper 60s. My plan is the hike up to Willow Lake but I got a lazy start at 8am forgetting how busy the canyons can be on a Saturday. Lots of folks on bikes or running along the road. The low trail (including Lake Blanche already packed) but once past Mill D (Donut Falls), traffic pretty much disappeared. Oh, there's no snow other than high on the peaks - pretty weird for mid-May. I roll up on Willow Lake and there are probably 15 cars already - shoot! Guess I'll head to Silver Lake as I wanted to check that too. Well, the Silver Lake parking looked like there were only a few spots left but I had to pee. The only bathroom I know of is a bit farther at the Millie Lift. I get there and the road/trail up looked clear for at least a bit, I'm heading up! And that I did. The waterfall was very small for this time of year. Plants are just starting to poke up and the trail was mostly dry. As I got higher I met 2 Marmots; I got so near. I also saw...

Sunny day with temps in the mid-70s and it's an off Friday. Heading up to hike the Mormon Trail. Was planning to hike this on Sat but weather says cloudy so hiking today. I'm exciting to see what's flying since the Swallowtails were flying in Lambs Canyon on Friday. I arrive around 9am; it's sunny and in the 50s. When I step out of the woods and on the actual trail, I see a large Blue; it's my 1st Boisduval's Blue of the season! The rest of the trail still majority Blues (WT and Spring Azure), Painted Ladies, Rocky Mountain Duskywing and Ringlets. My suspicion of Relict Frits last week is proven true very early in my hike!!  I also meet my good friend this year; the Brown Elfin. Yes, yet another outing with another sighting; that's 5 times! And I see 3 today! It's the year of the Brown Elfin!! Dragonflies are also out today. I see a couple species including this one. I'm still seeing a White butterfly which I think is Large Marble but have no confirm...

Just a quick walk after work up Lambs Canyon road. Mid-60s and sunny at I start up before 3pm. Lots of birds singing and Blues (both Azures, and WTBs) flying along the way. Other than Blues, not a ton flying however, may 1st timers for the year include: Pale Swallowtail, Western Swallowtail, and Two-tailed. (Along with the Anise which I have seen this year.) Also in fair numbers are Painted Ladies and Rocky Mountain Duskywing. I also see Orangetip, Mylitta Crescent, CA Tortoiseshell, and Mourning Cloak. The Brown Elfin craze continues today if 2 additional flyers. That's 4 trips I've seen them!! The Swallowtails were definitely a big win for today but the biggest win/surprise is a Red Admiral! Haven't seen one of those in quite a while. And I end with a Juba Skipper. Awesome day!

 Sunny with highs in the mid-70s. It's in the low 60s when I begin my walk up Lambs Canyon road. In sneakers because I'm not hiking the trail today. It's just after 8:30; probably too early for butterflies but giving it a go anyway. Surprise! I see a Blue flyer before I even get around the gate - better start than I anticipated. :) Road is mostly in the shade on the walk up. There are sections of sun but no butterflies except a couple of Painted Lady and CA Tortoiseshell. Plenty of birds singing and I see a special one: Yellow Warbler!! The creek is still flowing; nice to have it by my side. I scan the hillsides for critters. Can't say I've ever seen anything until today: 3 deer! I assume they are doe but photos indicate 3 bucks. Awesome! I arrive at the TH and there are no butterflies in/around the mud. :( I decide to walk just a bit of the trail to kill a little time. There's a Blue at the end of the footbridge! I also see a few Virgins Bower blooms! (They are...

 Sunny day with temps in the mid-60s at the Mormon Trailhead. First time hiking this year, but due to low snowfall, I'm sure I could've been here much earlier. As I start the trail, it is definitely dry already - very odd - but nice not having to get my feet wet. Very surprised by the 1st crossing; a typical year would have lots water still; but today totally dry. Surprised to see Glacier Lilies in bloom. But back up and the actual start, butterflies are moving. I quickly see a Ringlet, Painted Lady and some small Orange flyers. No real flowers yet just lots of dandelions and Groundsel. Oh, I see a Glacier Lily still hanging on. Quite a few Western Tailed Blues today. Definitely the species with the most sightings. Also excited to see both a Spring Azure and WTB and Silvery Blue. Quite a few Painted Ladies as well. But one caught eye and it was a West Coast Lady! Don't see these often so it's big deal!! I'm also surprised by a Brown Elfin. Saw one on the way to the ...