Today was a good day to brush up on our navigation skills and search for butterflies. The whole reason I started hiking to begin with was because I wanted to be able to photograph butterflies in the wild and not just the ones in my garden. So we did a leisurely loop hike from Jackson Lake to the Boy Scout Trail, then 3N26 to the PCT and returned along the Jackson Lake Trail. I had seen a lot of butterflies around some of these areas last year and wanted to see what was currently flying. The lupine was blooming and I saw many Boisduval's blues. There were also plenty of swallowtails, both pale and western tiger nectaring on the western wallflower at the Jackson Flat Campground. I also saw Pacific Azures. In addition to my search for butterflies, it was also a nice day to pull out the map, practice navigation and acquaint ourselves with the surrounding terrain. It’s been exactly one year since we started hiking and the more I hike, the more I realize how important it is to really know your paper map along with a compass and not just your electronics. Not to mention, having these skills opens you up to a world of other places to explore and not just the more popular routes. It was a day well spent.
We parked in the lot at Jackson Lake. Jackson Lake is actually a sag pond caused by the San Andreas Fault. There were some people fishing here this morning. Wonder if they caught anything.
From the parking lot, we followed the signs for the Jackson Lake trail which would eventually reach a split for the Boy Scout Trail.
Matilija poppies, Romneya coulteri, growing on the side of the dirt road.
The views start to open up to the north towards the Mojave.
This is the split for the Boy Scout Trail where we were heading.
I saw many Boisduval's blues, Aricia icarioides along the trail.
Lovely forested trail.
We had plenty of shade as we ascended.
This parts of the trail was a little exposed, but for the most part it was nice and shady.
This is the junction for the Fenner Saddle Trail. We continued on the Boy Scout Trail until it ended and looked for service road 3N26.
3N26 to the PCT then to Jackson Flat.
Looking over at Baden-Powell to the south.
You can also see Baldy and West Baldy off to the left behind Baden-Powell.
Next we came upon the junction to the PCT. You can head South on this and it will take you to Vincent Gap, or head north (which is where we wanted to go) and it will eventually turn east toward Jackson Flat.
Now the trail climbs again.
Beautiful forested meadow.
This is a Pacific Azure butterfly, Celastrina echo.
Lots of Western Wallflowers along the route.
This is the trail junction to head north back to Jackson Lake on the Jackson Lake Trail. We wanted to have lunch so we continued on the PCT to Jackson Flat Campground.
The PCT is so pristine.
Approaching Jackson Flat Campground.
Great views from the campground.
A close up shot of Pine Mountain to the left and Baldy and West Baldy to the right.
There were a lot of swallowtails at the campground. I remember they were here last year around this time too. This is a Western Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio rutulus.
Another Boisduval's blue (Aricia icarioides). There were so many of them! Quick little things though. I'm lucky to have gotten just a handful of photos.
After we had lunch, I wanted to continue a little further east on the PCT to a spot I found last year that had a lot of butterfly activity to see what was flying.
Now we turned around and headed back towards the campground.
This is the junction where you'll find the the short trail that leads to the Jackson Flat Campground (where we had lunch). It's a very nice campground. No one was there today. Just a lot of butterflies!
Beautiful trail.
We left the PCT and headed back to the lake on the Jackson Lake Trail.
Jackson Lake trail.
Lupine and lovely views.
Table Mountain off in the distance.
Almost back to the junction with the Boy Scout Trail.
Looking down at Jackson Lake.
Matilija poppies, Romneya coulteri.
