Nov 12 - Willow Lake (BCC)

 Sunny day with temps in the low 50s.

6 more inches of snow this week in the mountains. The Solitude Resort open a couple of runs on Friday so I'm heading to hike to Willow Lake for one last time this year. Thought about heading to Lake Solitude/Silver Lake but with the resort open, not sure those trails will still be opened.

With sunrise now just before 7am (thanks to the time change), I'm off just after 7am.

I pass a fire, that has just been put out, at the gravel pit just from BCC canyon. Fire trunks still there managing the smoke.

Quiet drive up the canyon. About mid-canyon, the south side of the road looks so beautiful with snow on the pine trees. The north side is pretty bare.

I arrive at Willow Lake parking and I'm the only one there. It's 14 degree - like last week - but there is snow on the ground. I put on the micro-spikes and start up the trail.

Yes, there is snow on the ground and I do need the micro-spikes because the trail is mostly packed snow/ice with a bit of open ground.

Quiet other than the crunching of my steps.

I do hear a couple of crows/raven as I complete the 1st long switchback.

Finding lots of small animal track - I think these are bunnies.

Soon I'm in the meadow scanning for critters - nothing.

I head thru the aspen and directly to the lake. She's all iced over with a layer of wonderful frost on top. Wonderful!

I head around to the other side. Again making a stop at the lake before heading down the side of the lake and back into the aspens. Nothing going on in here.

I pop out back at the meadow 

and then continue down the other side stopping for some snow flakes. 

I head a few Chickadees along the way as the sun finally rise above the peaks.

Til next year!

Good day!