Cooler temps this week - yea! Highs predicted in the mid-80s; hoping it stays around.
It's around 88 to day in the valley and mostly sunny with some clouds around.
Entering the mouth of the canyon, there are trees that are changing. It seems to be early for Fall colors especially at this elevation. (They are turning around Park City but that's about 2000ft higher.) I think the color change here is probably stress - very hot, very dry summer.
And my suspicion is verified as I drive up the canyon and the aspens and other trees up at the top are not changing yet.
I park at Silver Lake and make my way around the lake. Not expecting much change as I was just here last Thurs.
Dragonflies still flying and the purple asters are still hanging in there.
I make my way to Lake Solitude and then up to the ridge above Twin Lakes.
It's a little cool up here with the light breeze blowing.
I make my way down to the lakes.
In basically the same spot I saw the butterflies last week, I see 2 Zerene Frits nectaring. And a Checkered White.
I make it to the lakes and find a good spot for a sandwich.
Then I head down.
I start crossing the ridge above Silver Lake. I can hear Pika but can't find them. Can't find any Marmots either.
Oops, there's Pika running across the rocks way down the hill!
I'm almost at the end of the ridge and a few feet down from the trail, I see two furry brown marmots. Based on their coloration, I suspect its Mom and one of her young. So cute!
From above, I hear a Pika. I turn and find a Pika guarding a big pile of vegetation. Bet it's the same Pika from last week as it's the same pile of vegetation.
I make my way to Silver Lake and continue around the rest of the lake completing the loop. Lots of Mallards on the lake today (most I've seen all year). There about 10 near a dock where a small boy is feeding them.
A little farther along, there's another 5 swimming towards the dock.
The surprise of day, a pretty white flower (Fringed Grass of Parnassus) in bloom.
Awesome hike!
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