May 30 - Mormon Pioneer Trail

Haven't been to the Mormon Trail since April 12 (found the dead moose then) so it's time for a visit. Curious about the butterflies and if the water in the stream has finally rose. (Last time I was here I got blocked by snow at around the 2.5 mile mark. Very little water in the streams - easy walking.)

Lots of folks in the parking lot this morning -- looks like mostly overnight campers. Lots of company on the trail I think.

It's sunny and low 60s at 10am -- supposed to be in the mid-80s in SLC today. I start off and immediately see a Gold Finch in the trees.

I make my way through the trees and check if the moose is still there. Yep, the DNR folks moved the moose off the trail but the decayed body is still there.

I walk into the sagebrush hillside and am greeted by purple daisies - quite a few of them. But butterflies are scare - a couple of Field Crescents.

I spot a chipmunk munching on something. Lots of them scurrying around on the lower part of the trail.

The stream is flowing (I don't think it was last time I was here) and I'm not too far up the trail when the stream and trail become one (the snow further up the trail has finally melted). So the rest of the day is going to be fun! An agility exercise of balancing over logs and rock hopping to get across the flooded trails. :)

The prominent flowers are purple violets and the yellow flowers of Balsamroot (and can't forget the Dandelions). There are also geraniums, bluebells, Forget-me-nots, strawberries, yellow cinquefoil etc.

The Lupine are up and should be blooming soon as a few do have buds.

I'm wondering if the Relict Frits will be flying. The last two summers, I've seen them starting the first week of June. And it doesn't take me long for me to see one - yes! I see 3 today.

I'm seeing Spring Azures as well but still not many bflies flying.

I do find a cool yellow flower -- low growing - Tansy-leaved evening primrose.

I come upon a bunch bluebells and there's a Hummingbird Moth nectaring on them.

I get to the meadow before the camp. Lots of green lush vegetation and flowing water; very pretty. And I finally start seeing butterflies: Rocky Mt Duskywing, Mexican Cloudywing, Sara Orangetip (both males and females) and Blues (mostly Azures).

I do find several Western Tailed Blues on some bird scat.

I get to the pond and there's a few dragonflies flying.

I think I see the White Common Checkered Skipper flying.

The dam past the camp is overflowing now and as expected, a big pond behind it.

It gets much more muddier after the camp; also the stream crossings are many.

I find a Northern Crescent -- first of the year!

There are many Yellow Swallowtails flying - can't tell if they are 2-tailed or Western -- even though I had a couple of them right in my face. :)

I also walk right into a Pale Swallowtail - it was in some Aspen trees as I walked right past, he flew right into me.

I'm finally in new territory for this year (last time it was covered snow). The Spring Beauties are blooming here and, unlike the lower sections, a lot of Yellow Violets. The Virgin Bower's is also blooming up here.

I come across an old wet rotting log and there are 4 Margined White bflies "nectaring" on one portion of the log.

I've not seen that before.

I finally make it to "my" end -- the bench before the climb to Big Mountain. I have my lunch overlooking the little pond.

Time to head back.

The Margined White are longer at the log; instead, a Dreamy Duskwing is enjoying the wetness.

I was hoping the butterflying would be better on the way back as the sun is higher and its warmer but that wasn't the case.

Not that its a bad day, I'm seeing the bflies I would expect to see but just not in the numbers I've seen before.

But there are Mourning Cloaks, Milbert's Tortoiseshells and Satyr Comma.

I finally confirm that Common Checkered Skipper sighting.

I see a Mylitta Crescent; it's a wonder it's flying at all.

On some lupine, I find a blue -- it's grayer than the WTB or Azure. This one's a Silvery Blue.

I'm nearing the end when I see what I think is another Northern Crescent. It isn't until I get home and really look at its markings. Looks more like a Mylitta but with really faded markings. It's a Pale Crescent!!!

I've been searching for these here for 2 summers -- guess 3's a charm :) This is a lifer for me!

I'm finally back to those purple daisies and now they're a covered with Field Crescents!

Great day!!

 (20 species of butterflies -- not counting the Yellow Swallowtails!)