A good day to head for the mountains for my 1st after work hike of the year!
Heading up to Silver Lake to hike the loop to Lake Solitude, Twin Lakes and then back to Silver Lake.
As I head up, I can tell that school has started as the trail heads are very empty. And when I arrive at Silver Lake there are only a few cars - perfect.
It may be near 100 in the valley, it's only 78 up here - ahhh!
I head the usual way down to right side of Silver Lake. Seems like the grasses are starting to turn yellow - Fall is not far away.
Crossing the footbridge, I see a couple of trout.
I reach the intersection of the Twin Lakes/Lake Solitude trails and of course, head towards Lake Solitude. The flowers that were blooming only a week or so ago and pretty much dying. Boy, that was quick!
Pretty quiet walk thru the forest. Only startled by a woodpecker
and by a Pika that squeeked loudly as I walked by. I only see him very briefly though.
Better looking flowers on the hillsides here - no butterflies though. :(
I make it to Lake Solitude and start the long uphill climb. There's still a few flowers over here. I see several Frits flying
and I see 1 Copper
and one Blue Copper.
I reach the top of the hill and head over to my perch for a quick break. Can't believe the lakes are still so high.
Time to head down. There are lots of flowers just above the lake but no flyers -- hey, it's after 5:30pm.
I make a brief stop at the Lake.
There's still water going over the spillway - wow!
And there's still tiny fish along the dam.
Time to head down.
On the switchback, I hear several Pikas and see them sprinting among the boulders.
Great hike!
