May 24 - Silver Lake & Lake Solitude (BCC)

 Mostly cloudy day with temps in the low 80s.

I'm getting an early start to hike up to Lake Solitude today. Maybe (if clear) I'll head up to above Twin Lakes; but the goal is Lake Solitude. I have my spikes with me just in case.

I leave my house just after 6:30. Worked for me last week and hopefully will today; hoping for a clear drive and to beat crowds. 

And surprise it worked again. I followed no one and there were only a few cars in the lot. Wish it would be that way all summer but the tourists are coming (unfortunately).

It's in the low 40s and the sun is not over the mountains. Pretty weird sight to Silver Lake without ice/snow in May.

I guess there is snow on the far side but it's not in my path today.

No moose, no beaver; just some Mallards on the lake. Trail is dry around Silver Lake is dry to the TH. 

I didn't miss the Glacier Lilies this year; they are just starting to bloom.

Bluebells are coming up and all the other flowers including Spring Beauty.

I'm not far on the trail when I run into 2 doe. One quickly runs off when she sees me. The other is skeptical.

Oh! There's a 3rd one a bit farther down from the second.

I move on a spot a 4th!! Good day already!

The rest of the trail is quiet except for a Woodpecker.

The trail does still have patches of snow/ice. 

The patches get larger as I approach Lake Solitude. Well-worn frozen footprints lead the way.

The Squirrels/Chipmunks have been busy this winter by the looks of the midden pile of pine codes.

Soon I'm at Lake Solitude. There's still snow on the far side; no ice on the lake.


No deer or moose are visible.

I do a quick checkout of the trail up to Twin Lakes (just visually) and it appears 3 switchbacks are clear and looks like snow on 4th. Doesn't mean I can't go up but I'm not...today. (Easier to get up from the Millie Lift. I'll find out next Friday.)

Time to head back. I think about heading up to the switchback above Silver Lake; the bottom half of the trail is clear. But not today.

Great day!

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