Sept 6 - Twin Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 It's Labor Day! Canyons will be packed but I get an early start and head up to Silver Lake and ultimately Twin Lakes.

Temps are in the mid-50s when I leave on a sunny morning that is heading into the low 90s.

I reach Silver Lake and more than 1/2 the parking is already filled. I gear up and start along the boardwalk where there are Beaver tracks to follow - but no Beaver to be seen.

As I near the corner (where my trail branches off) there are a couple of people stopped -- there's a Bull moose along the trail. All movement is stopped.

He eating and slowly moves onto the trail. I hoping he heads left or right to open the trail but he takes a couple of steps towards us. And we backtrack quickly.

But he only takes a couple of steps and decides to start eating the forest to his left. Cool but he's still blocking the trail.

Eventually, he moves into the trees - not visible but he is clearly there but the sounds of things. 

An older gentlemen moves forward and I follow at a little distance. He plows ahead; I go very aware of my escapes.

When I'm almost at the corner, I see people waiting on the other side waiting to come my direction. A lady is moving my direction and I'm still moving slowly towards her. Hey, I find the moose's butt (head stuck in the woods). I skirt pass pointing him out to the oncoming lady.

I then move up the trail towards Lake Solitude. 

My skirting thru most have opened the gates for people movement because I hear people behind me. I'm not sure why all these people are heading to Lake Solitude - it's normally never this busy.

After a bit I stop in my tracks as I see another Bull moose!! He's also eating. 

But there's a guy taking photos way to close to that moose.

I move up the trail (the moose is along the lower trail) to get a closer view.

One of the guys behind me catches up and tells me there's a 2nd moose nearby - Ah! that's why so many people bolted up the trail!

As I'm watching, the moose decides to take a couple of steps towards the trail and the guy. I'm pretty sure I'm going to see someone get stomped. And the guy casually takes a few steps back. Crazy!

Finally I see the antlers of a 2nd moose. And he starts moving closer to the first moose.

After the 2nd moose approaches the 1st moose decides to destroy a shrub. Pretty impressive!

Then the wander off down the trail scattering all the people watching.

I just move up the trail towards Lake Solitude.

Along the way, I spot a doe and 2 fawn.

Lake Solitude has several Mallards swimming around.

Then it's up the hill.

Along the 1st switchback, I find a lone doe feeding.

Then when I'm almost to the top, when I spot a deer along the trail - actually there looks like there are 2 deer. 

Then I spot a fawn run across the trail up to Mom. It's another Mom and 2 fawns.

Up to the top I go and then over to my perch.

It's still so quiet out - I love it.

When I start hearing voices, it's time to head down to Twin Lakes. 

As I'm about to reach the downslope trail, I spot a Marmot on the rocks.

Then it's down to the switchback where I see another Marmot 

and a couple of Pika.

Awesome day!

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