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- Dec 23, 2013
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This weekends hike took us along the Van Cott Ridge. With temperatures rising this weekend, getting close to 80 degrees, this was easily our warmest hike of the year so far. I was expecting the foothills to be covered with blooming arrowleaf balsamroot, but it looks like they are still a few days away from covering the hillsides The blooming flowers we did encounter were common storksbill, a few galceir lilies, spring beauties, and some desert alyssum.
As we made our way east along the ridge, there was still some snow to contend with, and some fields were deep enough that we had to posthole for short distance, but nothing too bad.

Magpie

Leaving the city behind

Spring Parsley

Common storksbill

We saw a total of three arrowleaf balsamroot plants blooming

The Avenues Twin Peaks

A lot of snow on Lone Peak

Not sure what to make of this, located across Dry Canyon. I probably need to go check
it out some day.

Red harvester ants were busy today

A robin sits still for me, with Black Mountain Ridge in the background

We just saw a handful of glacier lilies, which was surprising as I expected to see more

A couple of hawks soring above us

Black Mountain Ridge, and below the Van Cott Ridge

The second of three arrowleaf balsamroot plants that were blooming

Heading east along the Van Cott Ridge

Spring Beauty

Progressing slowly east along the ridge

we're heading to that high point in the distance. Beyond that, the snow was begining to get a little too deep for my liking

Hefty boy is sinking in

A fly joins us for a light lunch at our turnaround point

All along the ridge was the strong smell of onion. Sniffing to confirm.

Shot at our lunch break and turnaround point

Utah elk are pretty sharp.

Snail shell on our way back down

Large deposits of elk droppings

Ladybug

Heading back to the city

Desert alyssum

15 rounds with no knockouts. Okay @Rockskipper, you're the judge, who wins the decision? Scatman or Rabbitbrush?
The End.
As we made our way east along the ridge, there was still some snow to contend with, and some fields were deep enough that we had to posthole for short distance, but nothing too bad.

Magpie

Leaving the city behind

Spring Parsley

Common storksbill

We saw a total of three arrowleaf balsamroot plants blooming

The Avenues Twin Peaks

A lot of snow on Lone Peak

Not sure what to make of this, located across Dry Canyon. I probably need to go check
it out some day.

Red harvester ants were busy today

A robin sits still for me, with Black Mountain Ridge in the background

We just saw a handful of glacier lilies, which was surprising as I expected to see more

A couple of hawks soring above us

Black Mountain Ridge, and below the Van Cott Ridge

The second of three arrowleaf balsamroot plants that were blooming

Heading east along the Van Cott Ridge

Spring Beauty

Progressing slowly east along the ridge

we're heading to that high point in the distance. Beyond that, the snow was begining to get a little too deep for my liking

Hefty boy is sinking in

A fly joins us for a light lunch at our turnaround point

All along the ridge was the strong smell of onion. Sniffing to confirm.

Shot at our lunch break and turnaround point

Utah elk are pretty sharp.

Snail shell on our way back down

Large deposits of elk droppings

Ladybug

Heading back to the city

Desert alyssum

15 rounds with no knockouts. Okay @Rockskipper, you're the judge, who wins the decision? Scatman or Rabbitbrush?
The End.
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