Sept 2 - Twin Lakes Loop (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 First time out since I got Covid 1 day shy of 2 weeks ago. I had bigger plans but since I still have a stuffy nose (and it's my first time out), I decide to go with my old standby - Twin Lakes. (That way if I'm out of shape it won't be so embarrassing so the path up from Lake Solitude is not highly travelled.

Sunny morning with temps near or above 100 degrees -- someday the temps will finally break. I think we're at 29 100 degrees days so ready for that to be over.

Drive up was slow since I was behind gravel truck - but I did get a chance to look for critter - but nothing.

Shocked to see the Silver Lake parking lot about full at 8am. But then I see my 1st person with monster camera and I know they are all people wanting a photo of moose. 

And hey, the moose didn't disappoint as when I exited  my car to head to the potty, I see 2 bull moose running across the meadow and then there was a third. Not sure if it too is bull or the female I saw (with 2 bull) a couple of weeks. 

By the time I got out of the potty the moose were gone and the camera people were all moving towards the footbridge. And I guess I'm going clockwise this morning and hoping the moose aren't moving toward the Twin Lakes/Lake Solitude Trails.

Going clockwise is a definitely change for me -- it's like a whole new walk.

I do reach the trails and the moose are somewhere out of my way so I head up towards Lake Solitude.

Flowers are pretty much gone. I see a few Paintbrush, Yellow Composites, Yarrow but mostly Purple Asters.

After the steps, I finally see my 1st fawn of the year. Still spotted and it was very quick because I scared them.

I reach Lake Solitude. There are a few Mallards and I can hear them chirping. I do not see any deer so I saw around the lake.

Tons of Asters blooming so I'm hoping to spot some butterflies on my way up.

As I walk the far side of the lake, I spot a deer. Not ways, there are 2 deer - cool.

Time to climb!

On my way up, I'm scanning the Asters and successful I find:

Milbert's Tortoiseshell (2)

Ruddy Coppers

Juba Skipper

Hoary Comma

and a Melissa Blue.

The butterflies provided some welcome rest from the climb.

Once above the lake, there are still more Asters but I first go to my perch for a quick break.

When I get back down, I scan the Asters near my perch finding:

Blue Coppers

Juba Skipper

While there looking for butterflies, there are several Clark's Jays making a lot of noise.


Then it's more scanning on the way to Twin Lakes where I add

Field Crescent


I reach Twin Lakes and the lake levels have climbed. Wow! I know we had some good monsoons but Wow! Amazing!


In the willows near the dam, I see

Mourning Cloak

Hoary Commas.

Time to head down.

I find still more Hoary Commas on the switchback.

I hear Pika but don't see any.

On the drive over to Brighton, I see 2 additional moose. One is pretty hidden in the vegetation and the other one, there's a butt shot. This one looks to be a young moose (based on size) so I'm thinking they are a mom/calf pair. But I just took a quick look and moved on; didn't want to be the cause of a gathering of moose photographers. Let them eat in peace!!

Good day!

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