Oct 29 - Willow Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

Sunny day with highs in the mid-60s.

I really want to hike up to Twin Lakes one last time but we got over a foot on snow in the mountains this week and I'm unsure about the conditions. So I decide to return to Willow Lake for the 3rd Friday in a row.

Chilly morning, in the 30s at my house.

Easy drive. South facing slopes have snow but not as much as the north facing sides.

There are a lot of cars heading up the canyon but no one really at the trail heads -- maybe they're all heading to Brighton to ski - I might have to check it out after Willow Lake.

I arrive a Willow Lake trail head. There's one car near the trail head.

There's snow on the ground but the trail, at least in the lower sections, is clear. The farther I gain in elevation, the snow there is on the ground and trail. No big surprise though.

It's quiet out -- still all in the shade.

There's hoar frost on the snow and the branches -- so pretty!

I reach Willow Lake. She's icy except one open patch of water. No moose or deer to be seen.

I head around the lake to the left hoping to complete the loop.

But there's less footprints on this side of the lake so I decide to just head back down and go to Silver Lake.

Trail on the downhill side is more icy but still an easy trip down.

Back at the road, there's still me and the other car. (People are such wimps!)

Good time but time to head to Silver Lake!

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