July 13, 2025

By David Droppers, Trip Leader

Bumpy road, steep trail, but it’s short, the views are good, and boy are the butterflies grand! We seemed to hit near the peak of abundance and diversity today, finding 29 species between the three of us. First stop was a marshy area, where Great Spangled Frits eluded us in the thickets. Hoffmann’s Checkerspots and Field Crescents abounded. Higher up at the trailhead, the environment dried, and associated butterflies appeared. Mountain Parnassians, California Hairstreaks, Blue Coppers, and many others. There is so much in the short little trail and associated road, I’m feeling like I may want to make a monthly visit to this area during the flight season, solo or with others. It’s a great place to practice your buckwheats and associated blues.

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