Aug 29 - Twin Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with highs in the around 90 degrees today.

But its a cool smoky morning and in the low 40s when I arrive at Silver Lake just after 7am.

I gear up and start around the lake to the trailhead.

As I cross the footbridge, there are a couple of Mallards enjoying the morning.

I continue on and as I round a corner I see a group of men with cameras pointing to the right side of the trail. There most be a moose!

As I get closer, I see one bull right by the side of the trail munching on the saplings 


and one a little more in the distance doing the same thing. Very cool!

One of the guys indicates 2 bulls and a cow laying next to the trail. I don't see her yet.

I gradually work my way up the trail, getting a glimpse of the female. 

But as I get closer to the one bull, she comes into view.

Now I'm behind the big male watching him eat.

When he turns and take a step towards the trail, it's my time to move along quickly. :)

I continue on passing a big pile of fresh moose pile before I reach the corner of the lake. There I find 2 guys point to me into the woods. I move up to find a calf and Mom! Way cool!

I move on quickly because the Mom is moving towards the trail up to Twin Lakes. I need to get by quickly before she blocks my way. The two guys have the same thought and we're off!

It looks like they're heading to Lake Solitude so I head up to the switchback and then Twin Lakes. I think I'll walk the lake this morning (something different).

I reach the switchback 

spotting a single Pika and then I continue up towards the Lakes.

There's no one at the lakes when I get there. Smoky view up here too.

I start making way down the lakeshore.

Along the cliff, I spot a Pika carrying a branch of leaves

and then I take my time down the trail. Absolutely, beautiful morning (except for the smoke).

When I reach the other side, I find some rocks to take a break and enjoy the quietness. I can even there the little water fall flowing.

After a bit, it's time to head back towards the dam.

Along the way, I spot a butterfly. I see orange dots on the hind wing but he flies before I can take a photo.

A bit farther along, I find another butterfly. It's quite faded though.

No more butterflies along the way. :(

I reach the dam and decide to do the loop so I start my way up the trail to start  my climb.

I stop when I see a big family taking photos of a lone doe (I take a photo from a distance.)

I wait until they are farther up the trail before I start my upwards. Hoping they are heading towards the Pass. As I'm waiting, a Long-tailed Weasel comes running in my direction stopping under a rock. One more second and I would have had a photo but he runs away!

When I get to the trail heading down to Lake Solitude, I see they are continuing up - yea!

I start my way downhill. I hoping those moose I saw earlier won't be blocking my back to Silver Lake; I don't want to have to climb this hill to loop around them.

Soon I reach Lake Solitude. As I make my way around her to the trail, I see a deer, no 2 deer on the other side of the lake. The one (which is a fawn) is drinking and the other, Mom, is heading back to the tall vegetation. Very cool!

I start back to Silver Lake. 

I'm very happy when I see people heading out to Lake Solitude -- that means there are no moose blocking the trail.

Soon, I'm back at Silver Lake. 

I'm cautious when I approach the area where the 2 Bull and cow were this morning but they are no where to be see. (I was toward by some people that they are resting my the lake so I keep looking.)

I finally find the two Bulls as I cross the footbridge. They are laying right by the boardwalk across the meadow. I'm surprised the Ranger have the trail open. A couple of years ago, they would have it closed. But it's good people are getting a good look!

I just head to my car. A volunteer does ask if I have seen the moose, which I have earlier.

Great day!

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