Oct 26 - Silver Lake, Lake Solitude and Twin Lakes Loop (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Heading up to Twin Lakes after work today. Just needing to stretch the legs and experience some solitude on a wonderful 70 degree day in late Oct -- can't be many of these days left.

All the leaves have fallen as I drive up the canyon - can't say I see a single tree with a little color left. Fall is definitely on it's way out.

Another sign of Fall ending is the S-turn parking lot (for the Lake Blanche and Broads Fork trails) is now gated (i.e., closed) until late Spring. The trails are still open but the parking is very limited. Also, the Days Fork parking is now free since the campground is closed. (Saves a bit of walking time.)

I arrive at the Silver Lake Visitor's Center around 2:30. It's the end of the season here as they are emptying out the Nature Center readying it for its conversion to the Nordic Center.

It's around 57 degrees when I start my walk along the boardwalk. About 1/2 the area around Silver Lake is already in the shadows. Looks different without the color of leaves and flowers (just many shades of brown now).

As I make my way around the lake, more signs of the impending winter, the tall orange snow poles are up marking the boardwalk when it becomes buried by snow.

The Mallards have all headed south and there are no dragonflies flying anymore. But the reflections are still pretty nice.

I'm start my way up to Lake Solitude - doing the loop today. Pretty quiet out. Looking for moose or deer but only finding a few chipmunks scurrying around.

I arrive at Lake Solitude. The lake is low but it still looks like a lake.

Time to start my way up the big hill to the ridge above Twin Lakes. I'm seeing lots of deer tracks along the way.

When I reach the ridge and look out over Twin Lakes. Wow! The water has dropped a lot -- Twin Lakes is now actually resembles it's name! There are 2 lakes with just a stream of water flowing between them.

And then decide to continue further up -- maybe I can find the trail to the Pass. (Just a test to  see if I can find the trail without the help of tracks in the snow.)

I fail the test but I do get a decent view of the 2nd lake.

Time to head down.

I make a brief stop at the Lakes. (Big shoreline drop-off for this lake.)

And continue down.

When I get to the ridge above Silver Lake, I hear Pikas calling. I manage to spot 2.

Mission accomplished!