May 30 - Twin Lakes Loop (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 Cloudy morning with highs near 80 later today.

Heading up to hike up to Twin Lakes and perhaps loop back around past Lake Solitude to Silver Lake.

I arrive around 7am to a basically parking lot (I hope it stays that way all summer).

I make my "normal" head down the right side of the boardwalk. Lake is all melted and appears to have risen over the last week with the continued snow melt. 

Many more ducks (Mallards) on the lake and males chasing females thru the air. Soon after I cross the bridge, I spot a lone deer along the trail.

I reach the corner and head up towards the switchback. Lots of Avalanche Lilies in bloom now.

As I reach the switchback, I see 3 deer on the same slope that I saw many of them last week.

On the rocky slopes there are several Pikas - a few pretty close.

Lots of snow has melted on the switchback but there is plenty more there. I forego the microspikes and cross.

The uphill section has a clear melted path to the right; it's the steep path. Eventually, I run into snow and it last for the rest of the way up to just before the dam. There are a few little open spots along the way and one spot has some buttercups.

Before long, I'm at the dam and I'm greeted by a lone Marmot.

I'm kinda expecting open water but when I cross to the other side, there's still ice and barely any open water. Still looks pretty on this gray day.

Lake is very low and it probably won't improve much as the remaining snow melts. I'd be surprised if there's much of a lake at all by November.

Hey, there's a little bird (some kind of Warbler) dancing on the ice.

I head down the side of the lake, perhaps 1/2 way, just to check out the views.

Then, it's time to head up to get a bird's eye view of the lake --- too my perch!

While up there, I see a Stellar's Jay.

Time to make my way down to Lake Solitude. Lots of snow on the way down until I'm down to the last couple of switchbacks.

Lake Solitude is melted and there's a couple of ducks on the lake and a Pika above me on the snow chirping.

I reach the lake 

and find the trail back to Silver Lake.

Lots of snow to deal with around the lake. Keeping my eyes on other people's tracks and an eye ahead for the trail. I end up to and above my knee in snow several times.

I pass thru the Solitude Resort and I'm getting close but the trail ends at several fallen trees. I look for the trail but can't find it. :(

I do see a dirt road below and head there. I round the area with the fallen trees and see the "Lake Solitude ->" sign. I also see a road and a trail. There are 3 guys heading down the road so I follow their path. I also tell them that the trail confusing and to go a little on the road and then up. I hope they listened or they'll never make it to Lake Solitude.

The road I'm on heads up to the Switchback. Not my preferred path but at least I know where I'm going now. Along the way, I see the 3 deer I saw earlier in the day.

Then it's back down to Silver Lake where I get my second sighting of a Snowshoe Hare in a week!!

On the way down the Canyon, I get scared by a deer next to the road; wasn't expecting it.

Great day!