Heading for the coolest of the mountains this morning holding to beat the holiday crowds.
Lots of folks on the move this morning. Trail heads are full at the lower end of the canyon. And even arriving at 8am, I forced to the first overflow parking lot.
I pack up and head out into the cool 45 degree morning.
Fall is definitely in the air here. The grasses are turning brown and there's even a lone tree up above the switchback that is yellow.
There are many dragonflies zipping around the lake this morning.
I make my way around the right side of the lake and start up towards Lake Solitude. The flowers in the forest are already spent except for a few Horsemint and of course, the purple Asters.
I always keep my eyes open for moose but it is the season to be alert for them.
At one point, I see a couple of people stopped ahead. As I approach, I notice a bull moose not far from the trail - a little hard to see thru the trees. But, there's another one right off the trail. Both are actively feeding. Normally, I wouldn't push my luck but they are feeding and there are people nearby so I quickly move pass stopping briefly behind a tree for a better look at the nearer one.
Time to move on!
There's red Baneberry fruits along the rockslide area now.
Soon, I reach Lake Solitude stopping briefly for a look at the lake and a squirrel before I move on.
Lots of Asters around the lake
and I find a Ruddy Copper.
On the other side of the Lake, I see a doe moving thru the grasses/flowers.
Wait, there's another deer nearby. Wow, they are actually twin fawns. Cool!
As I start to move on, there are 2 additional doe moving towards the Mom.
As I climb the hill, I find a dragonfly
and also a few Frits.
Before long I reach the top of the hill overlooking Twin Lakes. The lake still looks full; not dropping much this summer.
Time to head up towards the Pass.
As I reach the ridge, again the flowers are mostly spent.
There are patches of flowers around though.
And there are quite a few Blue Coppers and a few Frits flying.
I reach the Pass for a quick break before heading back down
to Twin Lakes. There are many people here and many more coming so I simply head down.
Great day!
