Sept 15 - Twin Lake Loop (BCC)

 Yea!!! The boardwalk is FINALLY complete at Silver Lake so the trails are open!!!!! (The whole loop around the lake is not complete but the part I care about is done.)

And it's a sunny day with highs around 80 degrees - perfect!

It's a work day however, but I have my 40 hours in on Thursday; I'm just working for next Friday off. So just before 7am, I'm heading towards Silver Lake.

Slow drive because I got behind a Concrete truck but hey, looks like Rocky Mt Power is down with their 2 year fire migration and the road is 2 lanes all the way up - yea!

I arrive around 8am. It's sunny and 48 degrees but it feels colder for some reason.

I reach the new boardwalk and it so nice. They made it much wider by the VC and a bit wider towards the foot bridge. It's a bit frosty this morning.

I can see they are working on the pier across the way; the vehicle ruins the view.

I reach the foot bridge and it's so big. Lots of room for folks fishing and folks just walking by. They've used metal poles for support which should make a big difference.

I round the lake and I'm heading towards Lake Solitude for only the 2nd time this year. As always keeping my eyes open for deer and moose along the way.

Very few flowers blooming still. I find a few Aster, sSowy Goldeye and a Paintbrush or two.

Woods are quiet except for the squirrels and chipmunks running around.

I pass "early bird" people heading back from Lake Solitude so I'm not holding my breathe for critter sightings but you never know.

Soon I arrive at Lake Solitude for a quick break.

Then it's off to climb the big hill.

Many more Asters on this part of the trail. 

And I do see a few Ruddy Coppers - males and females.

I have the grassy slope in view and I spot something flash at the top followed by what I thought is a coyote running down the slope - so exciting! As it closer, it's a deer not a coyote and it stops up the slope from me. Looks like a small deer.

Oh, there another deer moving down the slope towards the little deer. I assume this is Mom. They eventually meet and walk off along the slopes behind me.

BUT there are 3 more deer on that grassy slope. And as I go by, it too looks like a Mom and twins.  I can hear them chomping on the grasses.

I continue up passing a big bunch of mushrooms

until I reach the viewpoint

and then I head to my perch. Such a wonderful day!

I take a break enjoying the peace.

Well, it's time to start heading down.

On the way back to Twin Lakes, I see a Blue Copper.

When I reach the lake, I don't stop since I was just here on Tuesday. Down, down I go. I'm not looking forward to the rocky decent. Still don't know why they blocked the dirt (steep) trail.

But, yea someone removed the branches so it's open again - awesome!!

I see a Checkered White as I head down the steep section.

Soon I'm on the switchback. I hear Pika but I don't see any today.

Then it's back down to Silver Lake.

Awesome day!