March 24 - White Dome Trail (Nature Conservancy)

After lunch, I head south to the ~648 acre White Dome Nature Preserve (thanks Nature Conservancy). The preserve is just north of Hwy 7 south of St George (and just inside the Utah border with Arizona). The preserve was established to protect 2 plants: the Dwarf Bear Claw Poppy

and the Siler Pincushion Cactus. The poppy is unique to Washington County and requires a specific type of soil (one that contain gypsum) to survive. With the ever growing population in/around St George as well as growing off road recreational use, nearly 50% of its habitat has been developed.  (Sad, people get so excited about losing land to oil/gas development but then turn a blind eye to urban sprawl, off-road usage, solar energy land-use, etc.)

In addition to those 2 plants, the preserve also helps protect other at-risk species like the zebra-tailed lizard and the Loggerhead Shrike and biologic soil.

This will be my first visit to the preserve as I just found out about it due to a posting by the Nature Conservancy announcing the upcoming April bloom of the Bear Claw Poppy. I know I'm here before the bloom but I'm here so I might as well visit -- I may just see the plant - it should be at least a little green plant by now.

Currently the area is pretty undeveloped but the highway exits, major roads  and even a subdivision is advertising on the southern boundary of the preserve signalling major development in the future. For now though, there's just a parking lot with a sign advertising the White Dome Preserve.

When I arrive, there is actually a family here resting on a bench where the trail map is located. (Very glad to see someone.)

There are 5 miles of trails here - the outer loop which I plan to take traverses portions of 4 trails and travels over 4 miles around the preserve.

It's very clear when I enter the fenced in preserve that before this land was purchased, it was used for off-roading -- many tire tracks and paths over the hills.

With all the potential trails thru the preserve, kudos to the Conservancy for an awesome job of marking the "real" trail (and also marking paths that are closed).

As I start, it's still cloudy with no major wind still.

I start on the White Dome Trail, travelling on it until it turns into the Gypsum Trail, then comes the Highline Trail and finally finishing with the Lowland Trail - a bit over 4 miles.

The  biologic soil crust (basically living soil) is all over the preserve.

I don't think I was in a single area in which there wasn't at least a patch of it.

Along my hike, I find 2 plants in bloom - one I think is just a weed from all the disturbance

and the other a real desert plant.

I also find one plant that is quite abundant -- not the poppy.

And I actually find the poppy plant (at least it looks like it)!!

I'm not hearing any birds (but I am hearing lots of gun shots from over in AZ -- I saw all the cars when I exited the highway).

Lots of good views as I travel farther down the White Dome Trail (heading east).

(And a not so exciting view of that subdivision that is building at the southern edge of the preserve.)

By the time I complete the 1.35 miles there are blue skies coming and the windy is now blowing really hard.

The trail turns south/southwest along the Gysum Trail as the trail works it's way towards the big hills of the preserve.

By the time I reach those hills (and the Highline Trail) it's blowing really hard. This is definitely the hardest part of the trail is now up-n-down as I traverse through the hills - definitely a different landscape now too; this is the prettiest area.

When I exit on the other side, I see civilization in what looks like a big manufacturing plant and the trail signs now indicate trail head - must be getting close.

I return to the trail head - lovely walk (again I'm sure it's prettier when there are blooms). And again thanks to the numerous trail markers, definitely kept me from getting nervous especially on the Highline portion of the trail.

Great day!

March 24 - Snow Canyon State Park

Well, it's not as a sunny day. I'm a bit disappointed because Snow Canyon is a fantastic park with lots of colors which really shine with a sunny sunrise. But there's another storm rolling in, for at last northern Utah, for Sunday and I think these high clouds are part of that storm.

But that's not stopping me from heading to Snow Canyon -- it'll be a different experience from my prior visits.

I want to start the day at the north edge of the park by going to the White Rocks Amphitheater first. It's a beautiful bowl with high white rock walls and it's a popular spot. My plan is to get there early before the crowds.

Unfortunately, I'm a little slow this morning heading out at 9am instead of 8 -- I was up and ready, but just dragging - I'm blaming the clouds for that lack of motivation.

The trail is actually just outside the park but oops, I turned into the park -- not wanting to look like an idiot to the guard by entering and exiting in under a minute, I decide to continue into the park and hike the White Rocks Trail. The trail is 2 miles and actually goes from parking lot to the Amphitheater parking lot with the option to go to the Amphitheater.

I've never been on this trail, so I decide to give it go. My destination is to the north but the trail heads west to the lava tubes.

The trail starts in a lava field - big (and little) black rocks across the landscape. I pass by and over those lava rocks enjoying the scenery as I head west towards the rock mountains.

Soon I reach a big lava tube - some of these you can actually go inside. The one look possibly but not for me.

I continue past leaving the lava rocks for a more sandy trail.

Soon I come upon some white petrified dunes near the rock mountains -- I take a quick peek (to the south)

to the north

before moving on. (I'll stop on the way back.)

I've been travelling basically west and in a parallel direction to the white rocks but now I'm finally heading north'sh towards the destination.

Finally see a new cactus species.

I finally reach the south end of the White Rocks -- gorgeous rock formations!!

I continue northeast around the rocks and reach an unexpected wooden bench at the base of the rocks. Cool but I'm not stopping. It's a long way around the rocks so the trail heads up and over the rocks and soon reaches more dunes. I scramble up the sand dunes ducking under a juniper tree and get to a smaller white amphitheater. Pretty cool!

I continue upwards and now can see the other parking lot. There are lots of cars there (no surprise) so I decide to continue back to that little Amphitheater  and enjoy the pleasure of having it too myself!!

Time to head back. Many, many people coming up the trail now

I do stop to explore along the white petrified dunes looking for that perfect view to the north

And to the south

Before heading back to my car.

From there I head south through the parking stopping at the official Petrified Dunes - red ones. Been here several times and I simply love it! Time to roam!!

Fun time as always at the park but time to move onto my next destination - the White Dome Nature Conservancy site on the south side of St George.

March 23 - Temple Quarry Trail

Well, it is the last stop of the day. I arrive at the Temple Quarry trail around 3:45pm.

A little late in the day for butterflying but some may still be out.

It's a great start when I find a  Desert Checkerspot nectaring on the landscape flowers surrounding the parking lot. (This is a subspecies of the Sagebrush Checkerspot.)

Perhaps that's a good omen for seeing that Desert Orangetip.

I start up the trail.

I was here last year looking but I really didn't know where to look (and I was a couple of weeks early). At least this year I have the GPS coordinates of where someone has historically found them - fingers crossed.

Unfortunately, no Orangetips today.

But I see more lizards

and more red-budded cactus.

And the views were good.

Well, I'll be back tomorrow closer to mid-day so that would be my optimal chance if they are flying this year.

Time to call it a day - a very good day it is!

March 23 - White Reef Trail (Desert Conservation Area)

It's a short drive to the parking lot for the White Reef trail. I can see the Red Rocks I was just hiking in from the parking lot.

The trail is 1.5 miles and can be made into a loop with some connector trails. I'm just making it an in-n-back trail today. I have not idea what to expect but here goes nothing.

Because of the rain, the trail is a bit strange to walk on as just a thin top layer is dry so it's a bit like walking on a pillow in spots - strange feeling.

Finding what looks like the same cactus (with the same red buds) as I saw over in the Red Rocks area.

Odd landscape but definitely interesting - left side (part of the Desert Habitat Reserve)

Right side

Soon I get a view of out I think it the White Reef in the distance.

At one point I see a White butterfly zipping along -- not sure what he is.

And I also see a few lizards.

Further down the trail, I see a smaller white butterfly, And another - good this one stops. It's a Becker's White!!

I've only seen this butterfly once at Antelope Island's Sentry Trail (pre-2016 wildfire).

Soon I reach the "end" and turn to head back.

I think the views are better going this way!

Near the trail start I spot to see the remnants of a set from the 1958 movie starring Gary Cooper and Rita Hayworth "They Came To Cordura".

Time to head to St George and since it's still a bit early, I decide to head over to the Temple Quarry Trail in hopes of seeing the Desert Orangetip -- he's the reason for the whole trip since I have never seen one. They should be flying now -- but with the dry winter, there may be no flight - they are dependent on their host plant (a species of mustard) emerging. If there is not enough water, the plant and butterfly stay dormant.  I think I'll do a scouting walk.

March 23 - Red Cliffs Conservation Area (Red Cliffs Trail)

On to Red Cliffs Conservation Area a few miles south of Leeds UT. I've been hear several times and simply love the short Red Cliffs trail. I'm a bit nervous I won't find parking -- it's very limited and it's Spring Break time. But I'm pleasantly surprised when it's not very crowded (it's not empty either).

I start up the trail heading for the waterfall. Love the Red Rocks!

And the green vegetation is sooooo green!! Maybe it's because we're coming out of winter and it's the first real green vegetation I've seen but Wow!

Seeing several smaller lizards along the trail.

But I'm really looking for Orangetip butterflies -- these are a different subspecies than the ones that fly up in the Wasatch Mts near Salt Lake. The Southwest Orangetip have never seen them before.

Until today, I see one flying but not spotting. I see another but flying.

I also see a Mourning Cloak!

And the Elephant Head rock.

Soon I reach the turn off to the waterfall and surprise, the waterfall is all mine!!

And I pass the peace of the falls onto an elderly lady as I leave and continue along the trail and up above the waterfall.

As I continue, I see a cactus with buds.

Soon I reach the stream crossing - hop, hop I'm over.

The remaining part of the trail leads to a pool of water. I've been there before and it's very pretty. But because the water is high, it's the high road over some rocks which I'm just not climbing over today. for a repeat look. Time to head back.

I do follow the creek to almost the edge of the waterfall.

Continuing on, I see a few more Orangetip before one finally lands just long enough to get a photo! Nice!

Awesome stop!

Time to move to the next destination -- the White Reef Trail which is still a part of the conservation area but outside the Red Rock area.