Hiking Arbaney-Kittle trail this morning there are so many beautiful wildflowers out already. Right after the spot where most people turn around is a beautiful little wild garden with Capitol Peak to Sopris Mountain as a backdrop. This morning it also came complete with a beautiful black and orange butterfly who would not stay still long enough to be photographed! This side of the valley is almost desert-like (with small cactus around) whereas the other side is much more like I  remember Switzerland with grassy alpine meadows flecked with impressive light-coloured boulders and lots of little streams – the contrast is quite dramatic. So these flowers are really special here on the desert side.