Sept 10 - Willow Lake (BCC)

Sunny day forecast with highs in the mid-80s. 

Heading up BCC again hoping Silver Lake is now open but not holding my breath.

On the way up, I pass a deer on the side of the road.

I arrive at Silver Lake and yep, the trail is still closed - someday, maybe next Spring :(

I head over to the Millie Lift to hike up to Twin Lakes that way but the cars are parked in all different directions so I just head down to my new Sunday hike, Willow Lake.

Lots of cars in the parking area, most are overnite campers. And it's a cool 43 degrees.

I start up the trail. Flowers continue to go to seed. Seems that the only ones handing on are the purple asters 

and Showy Goldeneyes (and Rose Hips)

Just a quiet walk up thru the Aspens which have not yet started to change - though I saw some color change in a few trees on the way up.

I do see a wasp hike on the 1st switchbacks; can't believe I missed it all this time!

Soon I'm in the meadow. 

No deer or moose but I hear kids yelling and screaming in the direction of the lake.

I reach the other side of the meadow and start back thru the woods and then around the left side of the lake seeing fresh deer tracks as I cross the small creek. On the other side, mo moose to be seen; still only Mallard ducks. 

I work my way down to the lake and spot bees "sleeping" under the Aster flowers (too cold for then I guess) but it's cool.

I continue around the lake passing several tents and I'm back in the woods circling around the far side of the lake and back to the starting point.

Going to be a beautiful day!

Time to head down. Again quiet walk. Not hoping for any critters because I've passed plenty of people on the way up.

I'm almost down with the hike; I can see the trail marker when there's lots of noise in the brush on the left side of the trail. A lone deer pops out on the trailing in a panic and then quickly he's back in the woods. What a surprise! It's looking at me. It looks like a fawn more than doe -- smallish. Before I can take it's picture it moves actually in my direction a few feet and stops. Again we are looking at each other.


Time to let him be.

Good start to the day!

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