Album The members of backcountrypost.com

[Yvonne]

still a lot of snow on the trails at Mount Saint Helens

 

[scatman]

I had Grandeur Peak on my calendar this weekend, but it is going to rain, even on Memorial Day, so that became a no go for me. So when I got home from work today, I headed up the Avenue Twin Peaks. I needed something close and short so that I could get home in time to grill some burgers.

We tied a record yesterday here in Salt Lake with 92 degrees. The last time that had happened on May 26th was 1958. Today it had cooled off to 85 ahead of the cool front that will move in tonight.


Toadflax


Alfalfa


I've seen a bunch of ladybugs this spring. Last year it was rattlesnakes, this year ladybugs.


A dyer's woad view of the south peak


Hawksbeard


The arrowleaf balsamroot was beginning to dry out


Except for those plants that grew in the shade of the gamble oak that is.


Hillside of balsmaroot


Mule ears beginning to bloom


On the north summit


Numerous paintbrush on the southern summit


Phlox on the south summit


A fly that looks eerily like a bumble bee.


On one of Katie's hiking poles


Death camas


Lupine


Heading back home


Phlox


More death camas


Yarrow


Ladybug


Mountain pepperweed


Starting to drizzle at the end.

 

[Rockskipper]

Maybe Lady Bugs have a dark side and kill rattlers. Nice photos!

 

[scatman]

Maybe Lady Bugs have a dark side and kill rattlers. Nice photos!

Do you think they make anti-venom for ladybugs? Maybe I'm getting too close to the killers? What safe distance does the Park Service recommend?

 

[Rockskipper]

There have been rumors and stories worldwide for centuries about ladybugs, but we here in the US have been sheltered from the truth because of all the cute stories about them in children's books that would have to be retracted and it would also be traumatic for the kids. So, we all think ladybugs are harmless and even let them ride on our hands and such. Kids even dress as ladybugs for Halloween and birthday parties. If one knew the tragedies caused...oh, the humanity! (to quote the reporter at the demise of the Hindenburg, which was actually caused by ladybugs, who are known in some cultures as firebugs and are also suspected of causing forest fires).

We have a complete lack of knowledge because of this sheltering, so the best advice is to just be careful out there at all times.

 

[scatman]

@Rockskipper - The Hindenburg you say? What about the Titanic? Did cold polar ladybugs bring her down? If I had only known the true danger I was in.

 

[Rockskipper]

Sometimes I wonder how we all survive given all the stuff we don't know about.

 

[Yvonne]

a few selfies from Mount Saint Helens
Still quite a bit of snow in the higher elevations, barely any wildflowers at all

 

[b.stark]

Here's what I've been mostly up to. Lots of cycling. This was at a 100 mile bike event near Gering, NE. I dropped out at mile 67. Due to my rotating shift I was running on way too little sleep and I think that caught up with me. When the picture was taken I was still doing OK though.

 

[Dreamer]

Myself and a little brown along the Sweetwater River

 

[scatman]

Shout out to @TractorDoc for this. Not just any sticker gets to be Jeep worthy. Scatman joins LOTOJA! Now if I only had a @Rockskipper sticker!

 

[TractorDoc]

Full disclosure, I had to condense the scale a bit to fit the Jeep. Here is the original picture. . . the Grizz is quite a bit farther out. . . perhaps was maybe not even within eyesight in real life.



I have no doubt though that if the Grizzly Bear was there @scatman would be in the exact same position!

 

[Bob]

Lol...... Camera..... No bear spray.... And everyone else ran.....

 

[Rockskipper]

I didn't know Jellystone had Kodiak bears! And why is Scatman carrying a porta potty? (just messin' with ya, nice job)

 

[kwc]

So those who go hiking with @scatman become members of The Scatpack? With matching tattoos? Or just matching kilts?

 

[scatman]

Full disclosure, I had to condense the scale a bit to fit the Jeep. Here is the original picture. . . the Grizz is quite a bit farther out. . . perhaps was maybe not even within eyesight in real life.

View attachment 111946

I have no doubt though that if the Grizzly Bear was there @scatman would be in the exact same position!

I can't believe that you didn't get the bear in this shot! I may have to send you @Rockskipper's Photography 101 class. Rule number 1 - always include the bear!

 

[scatman]

Lol...... Camera..... No bear spray.... And everyone else ran.....

You noticed that too.

 

[scatman]

I didn't know Jellystone had Kodiak bears! And why is Scatman carrying a porta potty? (just messin' with ya, nice job)

That's no Kodiak. That is Old Ephraim of Logan Canyon fame, just before I put him in his grave.





And of course that is a porta potty. When you've gotta go, you've gotta go.

 

[scatman]

So those who go hiking with @scatman become members of The Scatpack? With matching tattoos? Or just matching kilts?

And to think, you are about to be initiated. Be nervous, very, very nervous.

 

[Rockskipper]

Poor ole Ephraim. Deep inside, he was gentle and kind, and misunderstood.

Has anyone ever tried bagpipes on a bear? And does your camera have some kind of laser gun?

There was an old bear named Ephraim,
Who scuttled with one mean Scottish mun,
The Scots mun won, that sunuvvagun,
Cause he lifted his kilt and made Ephraim run.