The weather didn’t allow many butterflies to greet WBA during the 2003 Annual Conference, but, had the weather been better, these are the spots we would have visited.

Tiger Meadows. From Highway 31 southbound from Metaline Falls, turn west (right) at Tiger onto Highway 20. Turn right at Rocky Creek Road (formerly called Lost Creek Road). There is a nice meadow shortly after the turnoff. Other good butterflying spots are found farther along Rocky Creek Road. There is a quaking bog on the left that is a likely place to find Boloria selene when the sun shines.

Hanks Butte Road is the first right turn before Rocky Creek Road, and is another good area to hunt for butterflies. Look for hesperidae at a swale on the right about 1.5 miles from the junction. Pecks and tawny-edged skippers have been seen there, as well as the long dash later in the summer. Farther along the road you’ll find meadows, patches of ceanothus, and powerline cuts. Any of these are good butterfly habitat, but watch for private property. Hanks Butte Road can also be approached farther  north  on  Hwy  31  by  turning  right  onto Greenhouse Road near the Ione Municipal Airport.

Bunchgrass Meadow. Bunchgrass Meadow can be accessed from Forest Service Roads 1935 and 1936 (these roads join to form a loop circling Molybdenite Mountain). To reach Road 1936, just south of Ione travel eastbound on Sullivan Lake Road. Turn right at the first road, which is Dry Canyon Road. In less than one-half mile, will be a sharp left turn to Road 136. The Road is unpaved, and is recommended for high-clearance vehicles after the first 5- 6 miles.

To begin the loop from the other direction, turn east onto Sullivan Lake Road south of Ione, and continue past the Dry Canyon Road turnoff to Forest Service Road 1935. Turn right onto Road 1935 which follows Harvey Creek on the north side of Molybdenite Mountain. This road is also recommended for high-clearance vehicles after about five miles.

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