Aug 15 - Twins Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Another hot, smokey day today. And the new fire in Parley's Canyon (about 1 mile from the summit) isn't helping matters.

I arrive before 7:30 -- surprised by the number of people heading up the canyon at 7am - maybe it's the "last hurrah" before school starts.

Still plenty of spots available when I arrive before 7:30. The sun is still not above the mountains and it's hazy (smokey) and it's about 54 degrees.

I start around the boardwalk towards the trail head.

I reach the trail and meet a man is just coming back from Lake Solitude - he saw 2 sets of doe and fawns. Guess I won't be seeing them or moose along the trail this morning.

I start up the trail. The flowers are definitely spent. There are a few Paintbrush, Asters, and a few other flowers that are still blooming.

Quiet walk until I reach one spot of the trail where birds scatter when I arrive. There I spot a Northern Flicker 

and 2 chipmunks that are creativity scavenging for food.

In the rocky area, the Pika have been busy collecting large vegetation piles.

Upon reaching the rockslide, I scare a Marmot back into the rocks. A bit farther I spot 1, no 2 Pika on the rocks. 

Oh, and another Marmot!!

Continuing on I reach Lake Solitude. The water levels are lower but there's still water in the lake. There are also a bunch of ducks on the lake too.

Hey, there's a deer on the other side drinking water. And there's another coming out of the grasses.

And there's one higher up above the water. No fawn visible though.

Time for the big hill climb before reaching the top. Lakes are still one lake - good.

From there, I just head to my perch for a short break.

And then it's down to Twin Lakes.


Before I turn to head downhill, I spot 2 Marmot on the rock together. So cute!

And down the hill where I see a lone doe feeding.

Back on the switchbacks, I see a Marmot and at least 4 Pika.

On my down thru the Aspen, I'm warned of a moose along the trail. I'm watching but confused when I see more people coming up the trail.

When I get to the main trail, I see a man with a camera in the woods. Looking around, I find the Bull Moose grazing in the forest. I go into the forest for a quick peek and continue on the main trail.

At the corner of the lake, I see another person with a camera on a rock. I head in and again find the moose. He's on the move now.

Great day!

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