Aug 20 - Twin Lakes Pass (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 After 2 days of rain (lots of rain) and temps in the 50-60s, it's sunny again and I'm heading up to Twin Lakes.

When I arrive, the temps are in the 40s - I have a fleece but wish I had my mittens.

I head around the lake to the trail stopping to look at the Mallards in the lake.

As I reach the spur trail to the switchback, I see a doe and fawn thru the trees. 

I stop to watch hoping I will get a better view but they're not moving. I move forward hoping to get a better view but nope; but I do see another doe.

Everytime I reach the ski lifts I look downhill hoping to see a deer or moose and everytime for 9 summers I've struck out. But today I have hope as I spot some moose tracks in a soft area on the trail. As I cross under the lift, I' finally see a moose! It's a cow with no baby! She starts walking my way and I'm thinking she might come up to the trail but then she's angling to the right. At that point, I see a deer downhill and the moose is heading towards that deer. This could get interesting.

The deer is watching the moose as she approaches. But when the moose gets too close, 

the deer exits into the woods. And the moose follows. I assume there's a game trail that they are following.

Not an exciting interaction but it was an interaction of 2 different species -- pretty cool stuff!

Moving on and near the frisbee golf marker, I see a doe with twin fawns!

I continue on spotting some "glassy" looking mushrooms

on the way to Lake Solitude -- no ducks today!

Time to start uphill.

As I approach the hillside, I see yet another deer. As I continue to approach, a fawn pops up! I watch for a while and continue along the trail. 

Of course, as I close in, the move off into the shrubs.

Up, up until I reach the overlook of Twin Lakes. 

When I look over, I see another deer! Wow! They are out in force today!

I turn to start up towards the Pass and I see 4 deer not 50 feet away. There's a doe laying down with a buck on the left and two doe on the right. They are on the edge of the road.

I talk softly as I approach and I manage to pass right between them and the only deer that spooked was the doe that was laying down. 

I pass the 4 deer and see another buck laying down ahead of me.  As I approach, he does move but not far.

I pass him and look to my right and there's another doe along side the trail. She's hidden by vegetation if she puts her head down. Wow! I just walked past 7 deer!

Then its up to the ridge trail and as I get there, I see snow!!! I knew I should went for a hike when the sun came out yesterday.

On the ridge trail, I head for the Pass. Flowers are all but gone. Lots of chipmunks moving around. And I spot a female Mountain Bluebird!

I take a break at the Pass before I start back down.

On the way back, I see 3 more deer downhill from me!

I reach the road and I'm curious to see if those 7 deer are still hanging around. I do see one of them!

Then it's down to Twin Lakes

and downhill to Silver Lake. Along the switchback, I see 3 Pika.

I reach Silver Lake and there are not many people around at all so I get to take my first walk around the entire lake in over 1.5 years. Felt good.

Awesome day!

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