Oct 10 - Twin Lakes -- 1st Snow (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 Lots of rain Friday and Saturday (and snow in the mountains). It's supposed to be sunny with a high near 60 degrees today so I'm heading up to Twin Lakes to "play" in the snow.

It's still partly cloudy when I head off about 7:15 this morning. The drive up the canyon is quieter than it was last week when people were chasing Fall colors.

The snow is pretty much limited to the higher (8500+) peaks. 

Foggy and snow covered when I arrive at the Silver Lake parking. The parking lot has only a couple of cars. It's chilly around 34 degrees but it feels cold with all the dampness in the air.

I gear up start around the boardwalk. The boardwalk is icy from yesterday's hikers/walkers. The mountains peaks are hit-n-miss with the low clouds but it looks awesome.

I stop briefly at the foot bridge before heading to around to the trail head.

But I make a stop at the pier first for a water view.

Then it's up thru the woods towards Lake Solitude. The trail is used and icy. The forest looks incredible with the 2-3 inches of snow on all the branches. There are peeks of sunshine here-n-there.

I reach the ski lift and it's a pretty nice view.

Then I continue to Lake Solitude - no critter but squirrels and chipmunks.

Lake Solitude looks wonderful -- it's get better as the sun get higher but it's time to climb the hill.

It's easy along the road around the lake as a car/truck has left tracks to walk in but after that it's a slog thru 5-6 inches of snow. There are 2 sets of tracks that I try to follow but it's just easier to stomp my own trail up to the top. I do make some stops along the way because of some pretty views.

Oh, there are lots of deer tracks going up the hill in spots. Bet they were in herd.

I reach the top and check out the view down on Twin Lakes and the surrounding mountains.

There are tracks going up towards the Pass trail but I decide to head to my perch. It's snow covered but it's an incredible view!

Unless I want a wet butt, there's no reason to stop and I start heading down to Twin Lakes.

Great view on the way!

I make a brief stop at the lake 

before heading downhill. It's icy so the going is slow.

I'm more than 1/2 way down to the switchback before I see people on their way up.

I reach the switchback. I have to catch a decent view between fog banks.

I see nor hear any Pika or Marmots along the rock slide.

Then it's down thru the woods towards Silver Lake. On my way, I spot a doe and fawn - they're on the move to avoid me.

The snow is melting now as I make my way down hill - lots of clumps of snow falling on the trail and me.

Back at the lake, I head back to the pier for a quick view before making my way back to the Visitor's Center.

Awesome day!