July 31 - Twin Lakes Loop

Sunny day with highs above 100 degrees (tying a record 21 100 degrees day - hoping we don't break the record this year).

Heading up BCC just before 7am this morning. It's wonderful 64 degrees in the valley - seems like a while  since it's been that low.

I arrive at Silver Lake just before 7:30 and it's 55 degrees.

Definitely rained here yesterday (yea); boardwalk is wet, puddles next to/on the trail. It's a beautiful morning.

I make my way to the boardwalk scanning for deer and moose - but nothing. 

The water near the boardwalk is still high and is cleaning from the pond scum which is nice to see.

Then it's around the lake to the trails. And then onward to Lake Solitude.

Flowers are slowly fading although there's still a bunch in bloom.

As I approach the steps, there are 2 doe that start down the trail towards me and quickly stop.

They move back as I continue forward. And then to the curve across the steps but that where I'm heading on the trail. They eventually move into the forest.

I continue on stopping another doe farther along.

And then as I cross the rockslide, there's a lady ahead of pointing up the hill. I slow down and I see yet another lone doe. Last year it was the year of the fawns (never had seen them before) but this year, none of these doe have fawns. Strange?!

I continue onto to Lake Solitude. As I approach, I see people looking left. There must be some more deer. When I get there, yep there are 2 doe. One is on the trail and the other in the grasses. 

I usually stop briefly here but I continue to the other side and start up the hill.

On the step switchback, there's yet another doe along side of the trail -- I stop to say "Hi!" and continue upwards.

There's also another doe up the hill but she's hard to see. So that makes 8 doe (no fawns) so far.

Near the top, I find small deer tracks so there is a fawn out here somewhere.

I reach the top

I was planning on going to the Pass but decide to take a break at my perch.

After a bit, I decide to continue to the Pass but when I got back to the trail I was behind 2 groups of people. I'm abandoning that plan. Time to head down to Twin Lakes.

Water is still high! And the fish are still swimming.

Time to head down thru the flowers to the switchback.

Dang it! For 10 summers I've always taken the steeper trail avoiding the more rocky (ankle twisting) trail. Well, they now have branches covering the steeper trail. Darn trail police! Grrrr!

Back along the switchback, there are no Marmots or Pika visible.

Time to head to the lake.

As I approach the parking lot, I see a group of people looking into the trees. My bet is a moose so I wander over. Yep, I get a glimpse of him as he moves behind some tree -- it's a bull.

I make my way to the bathroom to change shirts. When I exit, I hear some folks talking about a moose. I go over to see and the Bull as moved out into the open again. I could get a closer look but I'm going home.

Good day!