May 23 - Twin Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 Sunny day forecast with highs in the 60s.

Heading up BCC to trek up to Twin Lakes for the 1st time this year. I'm expecting snow on the way up, I just don't know how much is left.

I arrive around 7am; the sun is just coming up over the mountains and it's only 28 degrees. Good! The snow will be frozen and easier to walk on.

I head out to the boardwalk and boy, what a difference! The snow is all melted! Sure, there might be patches here and there but it's gone!

The boardwalk is a little frosty and I find what I assume to be beaver tracks going up and down and off the boardwalk. Maybe I'll see him.

The streams are frozen this morning but when the sun comes up, I'm sure they are open. 

The same goes for Silver Lake - nice layer of ice for now. 

As I cross the footbridge, I see a pair of Mallards feeding.

I work my way around the other side and stop because there's something in the water and it doesn't look quite like a log. Hey, it's the beaver!!!

I pass him by. So I head back hoping to get a closer look. I do get parallel to him and get a nice profile but he quickly dives. Pretty cool, still!

I make my way to the trail and reach the intersection. Both directions (to Lake Solitude and to Twin Lakes) are melted.

I head up towards Twin Lakes. The Avalanche Lilies are about ready to bloom.

I'm hearing woodpeckers this morning.

Just a couple of patches of snow to navigate and I'm on the switchback. I've reached the snow!!

I also seeing a bunch of Pika on the upside and downside of the slope.

I stop to put my microspikes on and head away the 2-3 feet of snow that's still on the switchback.

Across the switchback, I look up the hill and it's all snow!! Up, up I go!

It's actually not bad as the snow is solid which makes it easier.

The dam is finally in sight (yea!)

I head over the dam to see a very frozen Twin Lakes.

There are several guys here farther down the lake fishing; must be some open water where they're at or they are just relaxing.

The water is really low and I work my way down to the water for a look.

Then back up I go to find a rock to take a rest.

Time to head back down.

Back at the switchback, I start across. Still bunches of Pika. Whoa! There's a Marmot (with a Pika nearby)! 

Awesome! Love these guys; there's just not as many of them as when I first moved here. He's quite the model this morning!

Off goes the microspikes for the remaining downhill. I decide to head down to the Lake Solitude trail. If it's pretty clear, I'll head there. On the way, I see a deer. 

Pretty strange for it to be alone and as I walk farther, I see 2 more.

I continue still farther and I count another 6. (Nine total).

I continue down for a bit and still don't run into the trail so I turn around and head back up. Reaching the switchback, I head back down to Twin Lakes and spy on the same pair of Mallards now sleeping up high and dry on some grasses.


On the trip back down the boardwalk, I see 2 deer moving near the house to my left.

I'm done just after 9am and surprisingly, there's still on 5 cars in the lot. I like!

Great day!

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