Sept 19 - Silver Lake to Twin Lakes (Fall Colors)

Heading up to Twin Lakes after work to catch some of the Fall colors in Big Cottonwood Canyon. And since there's rain/snow in the forecast for Thurs/Fri/Sat for the mountains, need to see the colors before the precipitation knocks it all down.

A high of 93 in the valley today, looking forward to the coolness in the mountains as well. (And I make sure I have my camera battery today. :))

The aspens are actually turning yellow now. Big swathes of yellow with splotches of reds and oranges (maples) along the mountains sides. Still many green aspens but it won't be long for them either.

I arrive at the Silver Lake parking. There's more people here today than the last 3 trips of mine combined -- it's got to be the Fall colors.

I'm not heading to Lake Solitude today as I want to head up over Silver Lake first -- it'll be in the shade it I hit it last. (And, as I walk to the boardwalk, the Silver Lake facing side of the mountains are already in the shade at around 4:30pm.)

The aspen groves around the lake are yellow!

There are still dragonflies out! And there are many Mallards in the lake.

So pretty!

I head up thru the aspen to the ridge above Silver Lake - definitely a good plan to head up here first. (Though I'm a bit late to beat the shadows.)

Hearing and seeing Pika, I count 5.

No Marmots though.

Time to head up the hill, thru the drying vegetation that the sun is hitting just right to make it glow.

I reach the dam

And head to the right side of the dam. Beautiful views but the colors are on this side. I'm heading back down and to the other side of the dam.

Now that's better!!

From what I can tell, there's only one other person here and that's the guy on the other side putting together his paddle board.

I find a nice spot and eat my sandwich (and watch the guy set off down the lake on his board). Too bad he doesn't have a sail as the winds are blowing down the lake right now. I'm actually getting a little cool.

Time to head back down.

The trail is all in the shade now and as I pass a small thick grove of yellow aspen, I see some moose scat and hear rustling in the aspen. I stop and look very carefully for any kind of movement. Nothing. I continue to hear the rustling and move slightly down the trail hoping I can get the proper angle (I'm so hoping for a moose). I'm about ready to give up when I see movement. It's an ear I think. And then I get a glimpse of the head/nose -- it's doe!! (Not a moose but always nice to see any animal.)

I reach the ridge and start heading across - many Pika still running around this evening.

Nothing better than coming down thru the aspen in Fall!!

I reach Silver Lake and decide to complete the loop. Lots of wonderful views as I complete that loop.

And when I'm done, the sun is just dropping below a peak; the area is all in the shade.

Awesome day!