Nov 2 - Silver-Solitude-Twin Lakes Loop (BCC)

Sunny day with highs in the low 60s; perfect day for a vacation day and a hike (especially since we've had several days in the 40s).

My original plans was to hike up to the White Pine Cirque today but when I woke up, I just wasn't feeling it so I decide to head to Twin Lakes. With 9inches of snow earlier this week, I'm probably heading directly to the lake with micro-spikes on feet. But I'll have to see when I arrive.

Well, just like Willow Lake surprised me on with the lack of snow, so does Silver Lake; happily surprised that is. It's 29 degrees on arrival and partly sunny (but then the sun is just rising above the mountains.

Happy to see that the Silver Lake parking is fully open; no more construction stuff. But the boardwalk is not fully complete. I can't wait until next year.

I put the micro-spikes on even the parking is clear anticipating the boardwalk might be icy. But other than by the VC, it's pretty clear (just small patches especially on the footbridge). It's a bit overkill but I'm sure I'll need them at some point.

Lots of brown vegetation, no moose and surprise, the lake is almost fully frozen. Wow!

I make my way to the footbridge and than after crossing to the pier and then to the trail. I'm heading to Lake Solitude!

The trail now is a mix of dirt and packed snow.

It's quiet as I continue to Lake Solitude. 

Lots of small animal tracks on the trail all scurrying for the winter.

No sounds other than the crunching for the crunching of my boots.

When I reach the first small rockslide, I see a Pika.

He chirps a couple of times.

I move to the other end and there's another Pika and he lets out a long continuous chirp. I've never heard that before. Don't worry I'm just passing thru.

I check for deer when I get to the larger side but nothing except another Pika.

Soon I'm at the lake. Hey! It's all iced over too! Except one open in the middle.

I make my way to the corner and head down to the lake. Wow! the wind has crashed some of the ice slabs (3-4 inches thick). Wow!

I continue to the other side and start the uphill climb. I'm going super slow today partly I just want to enjoy as this might be the last time until next year and partly because my hip is bothering me. At one point in the uphill, I actually start walking backwards; it helps!. 

The road is a mix of dirt and snow. I walk in the tire tracks so much easier.

Soon I reach the top. I'm expecting Twin Lakes to be iced over but nope, the big lake is still fully open but the little one on the opposite end looks all icy.

And then head over to my perch. Happy to see human tracks to the perch; at least I'm not the other one that enjoys the view. I head up and take a rest.

Time to head down to Twin Lakes for a wonderful view.

Then I start making my way down. I follow the packed trail which is different than my normal route. The trail is snowpack but there are still rocks visible. Definitely glad I have the cleats now!

I find a spider or bug crawling across the ice -- definitely has a stinger.

If I make it back, I heading up this way and down past Lake Solitude. It'll be easier and safer.

Soon I'm on the switchback looking down on a frozen lake and lots of nake aspens.

As I pass the rockslide and see one pia on the downhill, and two pika on the uphill. Most I've see all summer.

Back at Silver Lake, I take a short detour to the pier (1st stop all year).

And back to my car.

Awesome day!