June 14, 2025

By David Droppers, Trip Leader

Only two people dared to venture up to Umtanum Ridge on foot. While we did not definitively find the Nevada Skipper as hoped (may have had some glances, but they were great at getting out of my net once caught!), a great day was still had. In fact, lots of wildlife showed up. The area is great for birds, and we were spoiled by several flyovers of a Golden Eagle, or maybe two! The season was a bit more advanced, but that proved fruitful – fresh Ruddy Copper were common in the lower portions of the trail on the return; it was far too cool in the morning when we first ascended for them to arrive. Other surprises included a couple of Coral Hairstreaks. The butterfly of the day award had to go the the Halfmoon Hairstreaks, there were hundreds of them. Drishti, an avid hiker but new to butterflies, got in as much practice with them in one day as most people do in several years! A return trip is planned, but I will certainly try to learn the driving route up to the ridge.

G’num2025Vol26No4