Cold front came through last night - unfortunately without any rain falling. When get to the trailhead, it's a bit cool at 40 degrees at 6000 ft. But its sunny so as long as I stay out of the wind, it should be fine.
One other car in the lot when I arrive at 10 am. Should be pretty quiet today.
I make my way thru the little wet woodland near the creek and then out into the sagebrush. Not expecting a lot of bfly action on the way in - too chilly. Or so I think; not more than 50 ft onto the trail, I spot a Mylitta Crescent trying to warm itself in the sun. Actually, that was the only Crescent I saw until my return trip.
The only flowers blooming are the dandelions -- but there are many plants popping up out of the soil.
Lots of birds chirping - mostly robins. Lots of robins.
The creek, well, it's a dry creek bed -- absolutely no water! Maybe there's more water further up the trail. (I hope.)
As I walk up the trail all that snow is now gone. But it still looks like winter - the aspen and cottonwoods do not have buds yet and none of the other trees/shrubs have leafed out yet.
I see a Painted Lady sunning itself.
Soon, the creek starts flowing again; my company for the hike.
I see 2 Yellow Fritillary flowers - the only ones I see on the trip. And a small grouping of purple violets - also the only ones I see.
I hear dog tags clanging ahead and soon see a man with 2 dogs heading back. He says there's snow ahead -- I didn't think it would all be melted -- I'll keep going until I find it. He has another dog back up the trail, he says the dog is hanging behind because he found some elk hide, doesn't want the other dogs to get it. Sure enough a little further up the trail is a large white (wet) dog with a good size piece of elk hide hanging out of his mouth -- kinda cute!
The camp is ahead and snow-free!! I enter the wet meadow and see a Downy/Hairy Woodpecker fly from a pine tree across the meadow. A few seconds later, as I get closer to that pine tree, another Downy/Hairy Woodpecker flies from the same tree -- must have a nest nearby.
Near that pine tree, I find 2 yellow buttercups.
No more buttercups, until I make it to the pond and I find them all the way until I turn around. They must be one of the first plants out after the snow melts and almost 4 weeks ago, this was all under snow!
The pond has melted now -- but nothing on it or flying around it.
I pass the dam which has water behind it but only a trickle of water coming over the dam.
Now the trail is getting wetter and I have my first creek/trail crossing but it's shallow and only a few hops (so much different than last year). And further along, the creek is flowing down the trail. It's obviously muddy in spots and I can see deer tracks (they're kinda small).
I see some Tiger Beetles; they look almost purple. Maybe its the way the sun is hitting him. (I usually see green Tiger Beetles.)
I get to the 2 mile marker and still no snow so I keep going.
I go about 20 minutes further, then I hit snow on the trail. It's only for about 30 ft so I plow through. It's snow-free again for a little while but then I hit the snow again. The only tracks I see in the snow are either elk or moose hoof print. Very deep prints. I walk in the animal tracks hoping the snow will end. But it doesn't, so I turn around. I got between 2.5 - 3 miles - not too bad.
I find a log along the trail and have lunch before heading back.
On the return trip, I see a Milbert's Tortoiseshell flying.
As I come up on the camp, there's a duck on the pond now.
I'm seeing more Mylitta Crescents flying too. They're all nectaring on dandelions as its the only flower blooming.
And I spot 2 males Sara Orangetips!!!
I find some bones on the trail now that weren't there earlier - part of a rib cage & spine (possibly deer). My guess is one of the dogs found it and the owner wouldn't let them take it home. :)
I'm at the end of the trail and entering that little woodland by the creek and there's a dead moose laying near the trail!! How could I have possibly missed that on my way in -- it's hooves are on the trail! I must have been totally zoned out 3 hours ago or this animal died after I passed. I check it out -- it doesn't stink, only a few flies on it, no animal has chomped on it yet -- I don't think it died that long ago. It's such a beautiful animal - I wanted to see a moose today but not this way --- very sad. :(
Still a nice walk -- just not a good ending.
No comments:
Post a Comment