It's sunny with high clouds around as I head out in the morning.
Big Cottonwood creek is roaring this morning and with the flood watches throughout parts of Utah, including the Salt Lake Valley, for run-off it's not surprising.
As I drive thru the higher elevations, I see that there's much more bare ground including on some of the slopes at the Solitude Resort. (All good news for near-time hiking.)
I park at Silver Lake and head around the Visitor's Center. Wow! Much of the snow around the lake has melted. Just a muddy, wet field leads to the lake. Incredible what can happen in a single week!
I start counter-clockwise towards the footbridge.
As I cross the bridge, the swallows that were here on Sunday are gone - and so is the feather.
I check the lake for fish but see none.
I continue around the lake. There are still patches of 1-2 feet of snow on the trail; the forest is mostly snow-free. I see a chipmunk scampering along the trail.
The lake is totally clear now. But I don't see or hear any ducks out on the lake.
I also see moose tracks in the snow. They're back in the high elevations now; I need to watch for them.
I reach the corner, climb over a log and start up the trail to towards Twin Lakes/Lake Solitude. This trail is clear and there are tons of Glacier Lilies poking up thru the ground. Hey, there's even a few blooming!
Just before I reach the switchback, I see something I haven't seen along the switchback in 2 years - a Hoary Marmot!!
They used to be very prevalent on the rocks under the switchback but they suddenly disappeared leaving only the Pike. I was told their disappearance is linked to Martin predation but who knows. Just so happy to see at least one is back!
And he a friendly one as he doesn't run as I near - he's just enjoying the sun.
I hear Pika and get a quick glimpse of one.
The switchback is still snow covered as I cross.
I reach the other end and that big hill of snow is still there. There no clear trail. I just head up over the snow.
When I'm closing in on the lake, I see someone heading down a ways away from me. We chat across the snow field. Then continue up until the dam is in sight.
And then around the corner of the dam. Wonderful!
The mountains are snow covered, the water is still frozen except near the dam.
But the ice is melting leaving a nice reflection in the water on top of the ice.
I sit for a bit -- wonderfully quiet. Hey, there are a couple ducks on the ice on the far side of the lake!
But some dark clouds are closing in so it's time to slip-n-slide my way down the mountain. Wee! (And fall thru the snow in spots over my knees.)
I reach the switchback again.
The guy I chatted with earlier is just crossing the switchback. I catch up with him. Let me say, I hope I'm still out there hiking snowy mountains when I'm 82 years old! Good for him! I take his picture for him and continue on.
That Hoary Marmot has moved on. And I get another glimpse of a Pika.
Great day!
