Oct 6 - Twin Lakes Loop (BCC)

Sunny day with highs in the upper 60s. But it's a chilly morning with temps in the 40s.

Heading up to Twin Lakes today. We had 2 days of snow this week (Mon/Tues) so it's time to check it out. I'm also curious about the Fall colors. They were peaking last week-end but with the snow/rain, I'm wondering how much is left.

On the way up the canyon, the color question is quickly answered. Although not a "full" as last week-end, the colors are still incredible!

I arrive after 8am with temps in the mid-30s and a frosty boardwalk. Beautiful snowy peaks and bright colored trees - can't beat it!

I work my way to the trail and start my way to Lake Solitude.

I quickly meet a guy coming the direction and I figure the critters are gone. :(

But as I near the steps, I hear branches cracking. I stop and search - hey there's a cow Moose! She's heading in my direction and then stops to look at me. She's really not that far away from me. Then she takes a step in my direction and I back up to see what she's up to. In back of her, I can see there's a calf. I wonder if this is the same pair I saw a couple of weeks ago.

Thankfully, she decides to lay down. (Unfortunately, because of the low light and lots of branches, all my photos were blurry.) I watch the calf move closer to Mom and it lays down too.

They are near the trail but I decide to pass anyhow. I pass extremely close to Mom and she's looking at me. I'd love to stop for a photo but that's too close. I do stop for a calf photo 

before continuing down the trail.

I guess I should say, the trail is clear except for a few patches of snow here and there.

The ski lift was a good "leafy" stop.

I pass another guy on the trail and talk to him briefly about the Moose and Pika (I find one for him). And just after passing him, another lady is heading the other direction. (Busy morning)

Soon I'm at Lake Solitude; no deer that I can see.

I start my way around the lake and up the first switchback. I reach the corner to and I hear something running, it's a deer. She was on the corner and trotted into the woods. Her fawn was nearby as well!!!

Soon after, I meet a lady coming downhill and tell her about the moose. She's pretty excited because she's never seen a moose.

I continue up on the fourth (long) switchback, I spot 2, no 3 deer feeding on some bush.

Not bad - 2 moose and 5 deer!

I pass a snowy hillside before making my way to the top

and then my perch. It's so beautiful!!

As I head downhill, I spot a white butterfly - holy cow! It's a Phoebus Parnassian!

Can't believe I've seen on so late in the year!

I stop at Twin Lakes

and then continue down to the switchback.

But no Pika to be seen or heard.

Then it's back down to Silver Lake.

Awesome day!

(Can't believe the number of people out today - it's been dead for weeks but it's the Fall colors that people have come to see.)