Aug 5 - Twin Lakes Pass

Heading up to Twin Lakes Pass this morning - it was a backup option as it looks like it's going to rain and I don't want to drive the dirt Albion Basin road if it pours.

And yes, it drizzled on me while I waited to get thru the construction stop light on BCC road. Thankfully it stopped once I got rolling again. (But the rain clouds are still there.)

I arrive at Silver Lake. Still plenty of spots in the lot. It's cloudy and 61 degrees.

I head to the bathroom for a pit stop and as I come out I see 3 moose in the Silver Lake Meadow. Wow! What a start to the day!!

I head around the Visitor's Center and there are 2 Bull and 1 Cow. The Cow looks a little flirty and sometimes submissive with hher ears down. She's a bit playful to approaching a Bull and then prancing away.

At one point, the 2 Bulls joust very briefly. They make a great trio and they eat their way across the meadow.

I'd love to stay but it's time for the hike!

I work my way around the lake and then start on my way to Lake Solitude.

Quiet walk. Most of the flowers are fading. Lots of chipmunks and squirrels running around -- I'm sure they are starting to ready for winter. Oh, there were a lot of tiny chipmunks in some spots as well.

Soon I'm at Lake Solitude. Can't find any deer this morning. But there are plenty of Mallards.

As I work my way around the lake, I do see a doe. She's on the left side of the lake. 

Oh wait! There's another doe a bit left of her.

Now it's all uphill.

Once at the top, I take a quick look at the view before starting up the road to the Pass trail.

It's a quick little uphill before I'm on my way to the Pass.

It's definitely late season for flowers. Many are dead/dying while some are still flourishing.

Many moths flying as I work my way to the Pass.

There's a helicopter making a bunch of noise on the other side of the dam -- must be some ski lift work.

Just before I reach the Pass, I look back down to the lake and I see this large dark spot moving left across the lake. What?

I spot and use my camera to zoom in. Holy cow, it's a swimming moose!!!! Wow it's a first!!

I move to the Pass and find a nice rock to watch.

She's looks like she is coming ashore.


I'm attempted to head down but I came to get to the Pass.

After she crosses, she exits the lake briefly 

Before she resumes her swim back over to the opposite side of the lake. Then she heads towards the dam.

I lose sight of her at this point so I decide to head down from the Pass - maybe I can catch her when I get down.

Oh the Pass!

I regain sight of her still swimming towards the dam then she starts crossing back to the other side. I'm just exiting the Pass trail. Time to race down to the dam.

I make a stop at my perch to see if she's swimming but I do not see her -- she must've come ashore.

Then I get distracted by a Frit





And a Variable Checkerspot (1st time I've ever seen one on this trail)!

When I get to the dam, on first look, I do not see her. Shoot! But not more than 100-150 yards down the shore, I spot her - just a big brown spot but that's her!!


What a swim! I'm so fortunate to have gotten to witness it!!

Then it's back down the trail to the switchback -- still no Pikas or Marmots. And then back down to Silver Lake. The moose are now gone as I expected.

What an incredible day!!

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