March 14 - Mormon Trail (Maybe just a bit optimistic today)

With an entire winter of warmer than normal weather and not enough precipitation, I've decided to head to the Mormon Trail (6000 ft). This could be a win (especially for butterflies) or not -- depending how much snow is around. Maybe I'm a bit optimistic on March 14 but got to give it a try.

Supposed to be mostly sunny and close to 70 degrees in the valley -- it'll be probably 10 degrees cooler up here.

There's no visible snow on either side of Parley's Canyon (easy drive). Although when I hit Parley's Summit, I'm seeing snow -- only on the north facing exposures.

Hit the dirt road to the trailhead is pot-holy as expected but dry. There's snow on the north & east faces. The willows along the stream below are pretty -- orange/yellow/green.

I get to the parking lot and there's a single car there. The creek is flowing nicely and has snowy mountains to the north.

And I head off. Last year when I came in early Spring, I was stopped by snow and the Spring run-off. It flooded the trail and made small ponds that were, in some cases, pretty impossible to get around. I'm not sure what month that was but I know I've never been here mid-March.

The beginning part of trail is very muddy but still somewhat solid from the low night-time temps. This will get mucky on the way out.

I was hoping the mud might stop once I get to the actual trail which is more sagebrush hill on one side and creek/aspen on the other but no such luck. The stream is dry which is surprising. Obviously, the south hillsides have already melted, but the rest of the snow hasn't.

I don't get too far along before I run into snow. The hiking went mud, dirt, rocks, snow all along the way before totally switching to snow before the 1 mile marker.  I wish I had my Yaktrak - would have certainly helped with the packed snow - but wait,  I do have them - they're just in my car :(

I do see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell (an overwintering bfly) -- but my optimistic hope of seeing Spring flyers is gone. But overwintering bflies are good too.

I get to rock hop across a couple of small creeks but nothing like last year.

Its pretty quiet - I see a Downy/Hairy Woodpecker.

Spotting a lot of either moose or elk scat so they're around. And I'm looking for them.

I see a flock of juncos.

The snow is definitely filling in now around the 1 mile marker. Slippery walking.

Where there is water running, it's playing peek-a-boo in the snow (sometimes visible, sometimes not).

I get to Mormon Camp area -- a good contrast of snow and no snow. I wish the trail was on the other side.

The little pond is still frozen.

But there are little holes with what looks like algae popping out. Interesting.

I try to go further but it's getting hard to get around in the snow. Wish I had my snowshoes - but wait I do, they're just in my car. Wasn't very prepared today :)

I try until I end up post-holing thru the snow over my knee. Time to head back. It's just way too early in the season to be here.

I find a log near the camp and have lunch.

On the way back, I see a Comma and 3 Mourning Cloaks flying. Always neat to see them flying over snow.

And I believe a Hairy Woodpecker.

When I get home I look and see that my first trip was on April 11 -- the Spring thaw has yet to really get started this year!

But a good day anyway! Always fun to explore!