Sept 10 - Twin Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 Partly sunny day with highs in the mid-90s.

After a couple of hours of work, I'm heading up BCC my way to Silver Lake. 

Shrubs are already changing and some of the trees are also starting to turn. It's starting to look more like Fall every day.

I find a few deer hanging out in the meadow near the parking of Mill D South.

And more in the meadow just west of the Solitude Resort.

I arrive at Silver Lake before 7:30am and start around to the trail head. Lots of browning of the grasses and shrubs here as well - obviously.

I'm about 1/2 down the west side of the lake when I see 2 people talking -- yes, about a moose. They tell me it's just ahead and in the trees. We walk together and yes, I see him. He's pretty hidden but definitely there.

They say there's 3 more around the corner and more somewhere off-trail. Incredible the numbers this year!

As I reach the corner, there's one moose in the trees 

and another on the trail to Twin Lake. Shoot, there goes my hike! :(

While waiting, the 3rd moose appears along the trail to Twin Lakes too!

And it becomes a waiting game. And the only moose that's moving is the one in the trees. He's moving towards the 2 along the trail. Amazing how tolerant 3 Bull moose are of each other - they are so close!

Well, finally, the moose on the right side of the trail moves farther into the woods. And the one on the left side of the trail also moves. Not sure where he is but I wait for a while before trying to make it up the trail.

I pass the 2 moose, still don't know where the 3rd is.

Ah, there he is; moving down a trail towards the resort. Don't have to worry about him! 

I pass him and reach the intersection for Twin Lakes and Lake Solitude. There I find to buck. Lots of males around today.

Finally, I can start making my way to Lake Solitude.

Quiet walk - for the 1st time in many, I see no critters (but squirrels and chipmunks). Find a Paintbrush or 2.

I reach Lake Solitude and the flock of Mallards.

Time for the hill. See a Clark's Jay - noisy bird this morning.

I stop briefly to let a runner and another hiker past (can't stand the pressure) and watch a Clark's Jay before continuing to the top.

Once there, I head to my perch for a break. Beautiful morning!!

Time to head on down to Twin Lakes.

And then down to the switchback.

While crossing the switchback, I stop to take a photo of Silver Lake and am shocked to find 2 of the moose jousting in the meadow! Holy crap!!

I hurry down to Silver Lake and the pier - I hope they're still there when I get there.

Lucky me - they are moving but still in the meadow and periodically jousting. Way cool!

They're moving towards the footbridge so I make my way back towards the footbridge.

As I'm about at the footbridge, the one moose enters the water.

I head over to the footbridge where a small crowd of folks are watching the moose(s).

They're eating but mostly chewing cud -- not moving.

I watch for quite a while before heading for my car. I've been told the other 2 bulls are somewhere on my way back. Got my eyes open.

I'm about 1/2 way back when I hear the clanging of antlers but I see nothing thru the trees. I move slowly forward but stop quickly when a moose appears in the trees. Hard to see. But they do move; one almost onto the boardwalk in front of me. I should have turned around and looped the lake but it was too fun to watch (and dangerous -- I know better).

And they jousted.

Again I (actually a small group) should have turned around but we snuck by while they were fighting. Stupid I know - ashamed of myself.

From the other side, I backed up from the group and watch until the one moose took off - he was done with fighting. The other followed calling -- such a funny sound.

4 Bull moose eating, jousting and chilling.

Incredible day!