An excellent report for Slate Peak was provided by Jim Reed in the previous G’Num. Venturing to the Methow Valley for most field trip participants is a multi day adventure, spending a few days in the Hart’s pass area and perhaps stopping by Whistler or Rainy Pass Meadows.

Another option would be to explore mid elevation forest roads off Highway 20 east of Twisp between the Methow and Okanogan valleys. Why? you might ask. Because, the forest roads are quite tame compared to Hart’s Pass, the area offers a different habitat and species than Slate Peak, and the lower elevation shrub steppe is the western most range for some of the species found here. (This is a mix of Okanogan National Forest and Loup Loup State Forest.)

The area, called the “Loup”, or Loup Loup Pass, is predominantly ponderosa pine, western larch and aspen. Seasonal creeks and meadows provide puddling and nectaring opportunities to facilitate differentiating butterfly species and take a few photos. Melanie Weiss, camera in hand, joined me midday August 2 after the “it did not disappoint” Slate Peak trip. I was hoping for the same kind of day.

Good weather was with us and area specialties were flying in abundance: North- western Fritillaries, Pink-edged and Christina’s Sulphurs; Zerene, Mormon, and Western Meadow Fritillaries were also present as were Eriphyle Sulphurs so nets and jars were helpful for identification. A couple of Field and Northern Crescents were seen.

The title of most photogenic butterfly of the day was a toss-up between the Mariposa Coppers, Melissa’s Blues and the Sylvan Hairstreaks all nectaring on stands of Pearly Everlasting. Boisduval’s and Greenish Blues were nectaring on asters and clover, respectively. Several nymphalids were flying in and out of the forested areas along the meadows, including California Tortoiseshell, Mourning Cloak, Common Wood Nymph, Common Ringlet and Satyr Anglewing.

As we were leaving, I noticed a heavily defoliated willow and actually found a L5 Mourning Cloak caterpillar wandering about. Long story short I brought it home and within 24 hours it had made a “J”. The next morning I happened to see the metamorphosis begin and watched the caterpillar wriggle about and the chrysalis transform. Eleven days later I noticed the darkening chrysalis before I went to bed. The adult was waiting for me the next morning and it was happily released a few hours later.

Thinking about future field trips, if there’s interest, I could lead one here in 2022 piggybacking with Slate Peak.

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