I reach the parking around 9am. There's only a couple of car in the lot. The temp is 42 degrees and the trail is in the shade; it's a little nippy.
I start the approximately 1/4 mile walk to the actual trail head. It's a bit icy but I have my YakTrak on and my micro-spikes in my pack. I get to the trail head and start and soon realize that I'm not feeling this trail today. So I head back to my car and drive on to the Willow Lake Trail.
It's still sunny as I start up to Willow Lake. The aspens are all naked now.
I take the newer trail. There's no packed snow/ice on the lower part but there is somewhat frozen mud which will be fun coming back down (slippery stuff).
As I near the meadow, there are some icy/snow packed sections of the trail.
I'm searching for deer and moose but not seeing any.
I finally reach the snow-free, brown meadow.
And start my way to the lake. The trail is snow packed as I head thru the aspen to the lake. I reach the icy lake.
I look around but still know moose or deer; just silence.
I work my way to the other side of the lake resting briefly on a large rock.
And then I continue my way around the lake into the aspen grove. The trail is snow packed now.
And I can hear a Chickadee.
I'm thru the grove and back at the meadow.
Time to head home. Good day!
