Oct 15 - Willow Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

 Lots of snow since Sunday. Even got some flakes and light accumulation in spots at my home. Excited to trek thru that snow today.

Thought about heading to Dog Lake this morning but last minute I'm heading to Willow Lake - higher elevation = more snow.

Canyon road is clear but the snow on the ground increases the farther I go up the canyon (as expected). The pines are covered in snow (so pretty) and snow of the mountains.

There's about 3-5 inches of new snow on the ground at the Willow Lake trail head. There's only one car parked.

Lots of snow lovers out there as the trail is clearly visible - just a path thru about 1.5 feet of snow. The lead-in trail and the left side of the loop is hard-packed and icy. The right side of the loop is less-traveled, not packed but visible. I followed the trail to the right (counter-clockwise) walking thru light fluffy snow up the switchbacks.

Lots of deer tracks on the trail.

It's quiet for a little bit until I start hearing what appears to be Bull moose calls. It's off to the northwest. I'm wondering if it's a hunter calling moose or really a moose.

I keep hearing the calls (at various loudness). When I reach the meadow, the calling keep coming.

The meadow's shrubs are covered in beautiful ice crystals.

As I trek thru the meadow, I'm looking for a moose. I certainly don't want run into a "in-rut" moose.

There's one tree that still has yellow leaves -- looks so pretty.

I reach the end of the meadow

And head thru the woods to the lake. The moose calls are louder, I think he's near.

The calls are to my left, so I head down to the now frozen lake. Obviously, the Mallards are gone even though there's a small open spot in the frost covered iced lake.

I head to the left side of the lake hoping to catch a glimpse of the moose and surprise, there he is coming out of the aspen grove.

I watch him - it's so cool to see him calling, sniffing the ground, and moving closely towards the lake.

I catch him again as he reaches the lake and continue to watch as he moves away from me. 

When he's across the side of the lake, he turns and starts crossing the lake. 

I'm surprised the ice is holding his weight. He runs short distances at times, sniffing, calling. 

Then he's across the lake on my side and heading my way kinda. Time for me to retreat.

When I reach the meadow, I start to head in the direction of the moose - I just want to see where he's at. Oh shoot, he's right across from me - I see him thru the trees. He runs left and then right! Really time to move on quickly.

As I starting moving thru the meadow, I hear some really loud calls and then they stop. Not sure why. The whole way down, not a peep. Maybe there was cow that emerged. Maybe something scared him. I wish I knew.

I'm on the well-travelled path on the way down. 

It's icy but do-able.  Need to start bringing the YakTrak.

Incredible day!

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