Aug 22 - Twin Lakes

Another night of rain so I off, once again to Twin Lakes. It's a "safe" hike and the chance of wildlife to pretty high.

I see two deer (buck and doe) along the road on my drive-up.

I arrive around 7:20 and temps are in the upper 30s/low 40s.

Lots of standing water in the meadow along the boardwalk - a good thing going into Fall.

And I spot a good sized trout at one of the lake "overlooks".

I hike off directly to Lake Solitude. Quiet walk spotting only a single lone doe along the way to Lake Solitude.

There are several Mallards on the lake (very similar to Friday).

Time to head up the big hill.

As I near the grassy, mountainside meadow where I saw the doe and fawn on Friday, I see a doe and what looks like a fawn behind her. Hard to tell from where I at so I continue slowly up the trail.

As I get even closer, yes, there's a fawn! Oh wait, there's a second fawn a little way from Mom!

I continue to approach and the Mom does not see to care. The fawns are skeptical as the one moves closer to his sibling.

I want right on by.

Then it's up to the top. I decide not to head to my perch but just head to Twin Lakes.

I stop at a rocky overlook and spot a Marmot to my left

and a Pika below me.

Then another Marmot arrives to join the 1st one. 

When I arrive at the Lakes, I'm still surprised with how much water is still in the lakes. Not sure it's really dropped all the much since Spring. I know the rains the last 3 days helps but still amazing. Wonder if they're going to drop the levels this Fall -- with the extreme drought, one would think they'd leave the water but then I'm not a Water Manager.

I stop briefly before heading down.

Along the switchback I see one Pika.

Great day!

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