Oct 7 - Twin Lakes Loop (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 Sunny day with highs near 80 degrees today.

Heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon to hike Twin Lakes (and to see the colors).

Definitely not the only person seeking a hike and the Fall colors this morning. Busiest early Friday I've seen in weeks on the road and at the trail head. Not sure if they are visitors, there's a holiday, or everyone took a vacation but it looked like summer. And no wonder, the colors are at peak at the high elevations and near peak at the mid-elevations. Simply a sea of differing shades of yellow. Amazing!

I arrive just after 8am and still manage to find a parking spot at Silver Lake (the parking is halved due to boardwalk construction). It's in the upper 30s, so it's time for a coat and mittens.

I start walking in the clockwise direction. There's a light frost on the boardwalk and I find beaver tracks on the boardwalk.

The colors are awesome especially the reflections in the lake.

As I'm rounding the far corner, I check the lake for beavers. I saw them last week; why not?

Yes, there are ducks and I see a beaver! No, there are 2 beavers! 

No 3 beavers! Awesome, a beaver family out for a morning swim (and breakfast). Incredible!

I shared a guy following me (he's doing trail work today); he stopped to watch and said thanks!

Then a stop at the dock.

Onward to Lake Solitude.

Quiet walk. Very few squirrels/chipmunks moving about.

At the small rock slide, I look over near the Pika vegetation pile to see if the little guy is around. Nope! But I get scared by a guy lying next to the trail with a big camera waiting for the Pika to show itself. I jumped.

The bigger rock slide, I see 3 deer - I think one is a fawn - up the slope.

I arrive at Lake Solitude. It's very quiet and still in the shade.

Time for the big hill. Tons of finished Asters.

Soon I'm on top and stopping for a Clark's Jay.

Then it's up to my perch.

There are 2 Canadian Geese on the lake.

I was thinking on going up to the Pass but my legs are dragging. :(

After watching 2 Flickers for a bit, it's time to head down to Twin Lakes.

On the way down, I see 1 Checkered White 

and 2 Field Crescents (on some Asters).

The lake is still dropping and fast.

I take the lakeside trail probably 1/3 down. 

I see a Pika along the way!

Time to head down. As I start I hear water running out of the dam. Last week, there was no running water so I guess they opened the dam more.

Uneventful trip back down to the switchback

And then down to Silver Lake. Lots more people especially families with small kids and what appears to be school groups for preschool/elementary school kids - though there are no buses.

Awesome day!

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