Sept 26 - Lakes Silver, Solitude, Twin, Mary and Dog (BCC)

 Sunny day with highs near 85 degrees; it's a great day to take a last minute vacation day!

I get start just after 7am. My plan was to hike Lake Mary, Martha, Catherine and then up to Snake Creek Pass but when I woke, I just wanted to go to Twin Lakes. My last minute changes have paid off so far this year. Let's see if that continues today.

It's 38 degrees when I arrive at Silver Lake and the sun is coming up. I see no moose as I start around the boardwalk. The trees are really starting to change now so it's really looking wonderful.

Soon I'm heading towards Lake Solitude.

I'm quickly disappointed when I see a lady coming down the trail -- she's probably scares the critters away. And she has a dog; dogs are not allowed in the canyon. I want to say something but in today's world that's too big of a risk. But as well pass, she is blocking the dog from me and I see a big red cross on her packet. Perhaps she (and her dog) are with ski patrol.

I continue up the trail and except for 2 Pika; one on a mini slide and one on the big slide, no critters.

I arrive at Lake Solitude. I scan the lake but do not see anything so I move around towards the right side of the lake and the trail/road. As I come around the corner, I look back at the lake and see a large brown patch in the shadows on the far side of the lake. It's a moose moving slowly along the shoreline having breakfast!!! She's very hard to see. And, I've come here lots over the last 10 years and this is the 1st time that I've seen a moose here. How exciting!

I backtrack to a little opening to the lake to get a better look and then I race around to where I first arrive at the lake and watch her.

There are also 2 deer on the far side of the lake.

I could watch her until she disappears but it's time to move along. I head back around to the road and  as I'm walking along on the opposite side of the lake, I see a deer. Nope there are 2 deer - a Mom and baby.

Then I look to my right and there's another deer at the corner of the switchback. As I approach her, I look left and see another deer, nope 3 deer - Mom and 2 babies. They wander off down towards the lake.

Amazing! 1 moose and 8 deer all at Lake Solitude. My change of plans once again pays off.

After all that excitement, it's time for the climb. As I head up, I decide to take the spur trail over to Lake Mary and Dog Lake. Sounds like a plan!

I reach the top. Boy are the Fall colors coming in!

I make a stop at Twin Lakes; again much lower than Friday.

Then I head down and cross to the other side of the dam. It's a steep short climb to reach the dam and I head down to the lake for a quick look.

Then it's time to head to Lake Mary. I've been on this trail once before and it's beautiful.

I see a Checkered White just as I start.

At one point, I get to cross a rocky avalanche field.

Then it's back into the wood before arriving at Lake Mary. Awesome!

I take a quick break before continuing down and over to Dog Lake. 

No moose at either lake today.

Time to head down.

The down is beautiful with all the Fall colors ahead of me.

I see a CA Tortoiseshell on the way down.

Once back at the parking lot, I have to walk to Silver Lake parking. Just outside the parking lot, I see a Common Checkered Skipper.

Incredible day!