This was in the Sierra Nevada mountains at 6,500 ft. Name please?
Mr. X
Certainly a fritillary of genus Speyeria... Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) (largest wingspread), Coronis Fritillary (Speyeria coronis) (big range), Nokomis Fritillary (Speyeria nokomis) (small reported range to east of state) all have similar markings.
If colors (yours and theirs) can be trusted, Great Spangled
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/ca/74.htm
seems closest, but the butterflies themselves may be variable within species!
Scroll to bottom of page for range map by California county. Click below map at and search 'frit' to go to list of CA fritillaries.
~'spin!~
Wow! did you see my other wildflower in the id forum ? Your mom is nice!