April 24 - Desolation Trail (Millcreek Canyon) - Retry

I'm back again today trying to correct the missed turn from Tuesday's visit. Not as good of a day as Tuesday - today is mostly cloudy around 60 at 9:30am with rain coming this afternoon. The sun is poking out occasionally.

Start the hike and well not much (if any) has changed since Tues (go figure). I find the proper Desolation Trail turn-off instead of heading further down Thayne's Canyon to the other entrance (it's the one I took before). A big rocky cliff is at turn-off covered in green moss and some Glacier Lilies.

Feel confident today, the trail is uphill and has switchbacks as advertised. The grade is pretty gradual. Tons of Glacier Lilies - I've never seen so many.

Just like before, the trail is in both heavily forested (pine) sections and then there are stretches of open.

I'm seeing Spring Beauties and Glacier Lilies along the trail. In some stretches, the Lilies and Spring Beauties are growing together. There are at times a Waterleaf plant or two.

I get the feeling that this trail is leading me to my "confused" turnaround point on Tuesday. I'm hoping I'm wrong. But a few switchbacks later, I reach that turnaround spot. :( Now what?!

I'm definitely missing a turn-off but where??? I decide to continue up the trail I've was on Tues. Worse case, I'll end back at Thayne Canyon.

As I walk, I'm looking for that spur trail but not finding it. Finally, I see a trail up above! Now how do I get there?

I reach Thayne Canyon once again. I look around and over some big rocks is my trail!!! Yea! I will get to the Salt Lake Overlook today.

The trail continues uphill and continues the thick woods or openness. But the thick woods is getting thinner as I get higher. More light is reaching the ground and therefore more green plants. And more Waterleaf.

The open areas have good view north along the canyon. I can see the canyon road below and Grandeur Peak in front of me. Boy, will that look great when the trees leaf-out!

There's more Balsamroot along the trail now and plants in the Parsley Family with tiny yellow flowers.

Purple larkspur is along the trail.

I find one Wallflower with its 4 yellow petals.

I spot these plants with a circular leaf and a tiny white flower near the leaf. It's cute. These are Miner's Lettuce - so named because early settlers ate the leaves and stems.
 

Heading back into the woods, there is a small patch of buttercups.

I have to be on one of the final switchbacks when I finally spot snow along the slope of the trail, just a little patch -- but still snow.

I round the corner and there's a rocky outcropping - and the Salt Lake Overlook. To the south, the higher peaks are snow covered. To the north, is Grandeur Peak.

And to the west, the Salt Lake valley. The clouds are rolling in from the west.

I stop for a quick snack before heading back down.

On the way down, I'm seeing black/brown moths with white dots. They seem to always be around oak trees and there's plenty along the trail.

Not far from the top, I stop to watch 2 bflies swirling in the air. I catch a green flash of color and hope for one to land. The two break away with one landing on the trail. It's a Sheridan's Hairstreak!!

I cruise down the rest of the trail. This is a really pretty trail and will only get better as trees/plants leaf-out. I'll definitely be back!

Good day!