Saturday, April 18, 2015

April 17 - Little Cottonwood Canyon Trail

After one of our lowest snow season's on record,  Mother Nature decide to play a little trick on us Tues/Wed and sent us a huge wind/dust storm followed by a drop in temperature of 40 degrees and ending with the biggest snow storm of winter. I got 8 inches of snow; the mountains got dumped on -- 29-40+ inches.

The snow was melted in my yard by Thurs and the foothills are still melting, I'm heading to the Little Cottonwood Trail today. I'm sure there was at least 10 inches snow laying on the trail a few days ago; I'll see what's still out there.

Get to the trail head around 2:30 -- happily the lower trail head is finally open! Only a couple cars in the lot. Pretty snow-free here but down by the creek, there's snow (less sun). I would be hoping for bflies today but I'm not sure how well they'd survive the snowfall.

The creek is flowing below but only as a little stream.

Not too far from my car, I find one survivor - a male Sara Orangetip fluttering along the edge of the oaks. A little further along, a Painted Lady. And then another Lady.

Its pretty barren along the start of the trail but I finally find some purple Larkspur blooming and Oregongrape in bloom.

A flash of pink from Pink Phlox catches my eye.

I make my way up to the first bridge, last time I was here it was just a pool of water. Today, the creek and the waterfall are flowing. And snow still covers the bridge.

After crossing the bridge I start running into more snow on the trail. Its still mostly clear but there are more patches of snow cover.

The squirrels are sure chattering this afternoon. In fact, I can actually get putting close to them before they scamper away.

I see a Hairy Woodpecker flying around. And a few robins.

Further up, I find a Ladybug - unfortunately she didn't survive the snow. :(

Boy, the creek is really low this year. Last year, the whole creekbed was filled with water, this year, just the center.

Further up, the waterleaf are just starting to bloom.

After the second bridge, I'm walking mostly thru snow now. But there's Solomon's Seal peeking up thru the ground.

I'm below in the upper parking area and find a yellow composite. A bit droopy but still alive. (I seem to remember this plant last year covered in snow.)

I reach the end and the old brick building. And turn to head back down.

I take both of the side trails done to the creek.

And then back to the trail head.

Good day!








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