June 19 - Silver Lake to Lake Solitude (BCC)

 Heading up for another hike to Twin Lakes (perhaps the Pass). Sunny day with highs in the low 90s.

THs are more looking like a normal summer Friday but the drive was still quick.

As I'm just before the fire station, I see a guy with a large camera aiming to the right. I slow down and see the back of a moose and then a little baby pops out of the brush. So cute!! (I did not stop.) I'll keep the memory in my brain.

I arrive at Silver Lake and there's a number of folks here already. Probably should not have dragged my feet this morning. It's 44 degrees and sunny as I head out around the lake. No moose, deer or beaver as I reach the TH. (The Irises have started to bloom though.)

I pass 3 people on the trail and then stop because I see a lone deer. I get to share with those folks. And that's the only wildlife I see on the trail (not even a Pika peep).

Lake Solitude looks great but no deer around. I head to the other side to check for birds but I see nothing flying.

Baneberry are in bloom!

Unfortunately my knee is cranky for some reason so I'm not going to push it up the mountain and then back down. Don't want to suffer for a week so it's a short hike today. Time to head back.

I don't go up to the switchback to search for Pika (saving the knee).

But the early return pays off as when I get to the dock, a beaver is swimming by - so close!!

I race to the footbridge and just miss it's dive under the bridge BUT I do see it pop up and swim into his dam. Very cool! All works out in the end!

Good day!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

May 8 - Mormon Trail (to dam)

Image
 Sunny day with temps in the mid-60s at the Mormon Trailhead. First time hiking this year, but due to low snowfall, I'm sure I could've been here much earlier. As I start the trail, it is definitely dry already - very odd - but nice not having to get my feet wet. Very surprised by the 1st crossing; a typical year would have lots water still; but today totally dry. Surprised to see Glacier Lilies in bloom. But back up and the actual start, butterflies are moving. I quickly see a Ringlet, Painted Lady and some small Orange flyers. No real flowers yet just lots of dandelions and Groundsel. Oh, I see a Glacier Lily still hanging on. Quite a few Western Tailed Blues today. Definitely the species with the most sightings. Also excited to see both a Spring Azure and WTB and Silvery Blue. Quite a few Painted Ladies as well. But one caught eye and it was a West Coast Lady! Don't see these often so it's big deal!! I'm also surprised by a Brown Elfin. Saw one on the way to the ...
Read more

May 16 -Heading up to Twin Lakes (well, just a little bit of up)

Image
 Mostly cloudy day with highs in the upper 60s. My plan is the hike up to Willow Lake but I got a lazy start at 8am forgetting how busy the canyons can be on a Saturday. Lots of folks on bikes or running along the road. The low trail (including Lake Blanche already packed) but once past Mill D (Donut Falls), traffic pretty much disappeared. Oh, there's no snow other than high on the peaks - pretty weird for mid-May. I roll up on Willow Lake and there are probably 15 cars already - shoot! Guess I'll head to Silver Lake as I wanted to check that too. Well, the Silver Lake parking looked like there were only a few spots left but I had to pee. The only bathroom I know of is a bit farther at the Millie Lift. I get there and the road/trail up looked clear for at least a bit, I'm heading up! And that I did. The waterfall was very small for this time of year. Plants are just starting to poke up and the trail was mostly dry. As I got higher I met 2 Marmots; I got so near. I also saw...
Read more

May 10 - Lambs Canyon Road

Image
 Sunny with highs in the mid-70s. It's in the low 60s when I begin my walk up Lambs Canyon road. In sneakers because I'm not hiking the trail today. It's just after 8:30; probably too early for butterflies but giving it a go anyway. Surprise! I see a Blue flyer before I even get around the gate - better start than I anticipated. :) Road is mostly in the shade on the walk up. There are sections of sun but no butterflies except a couple of Painted Lady and CA Tortoiseshell. Plenty of birds singing and I see a special one: Yellow Warbler!! The creek is still flowing; nice to have it by my side. I scan the hillsides for critters. Can't say I've ever seen anything until today: 3 deer! I assume they are doe but photos indicate 3 bucks. Awesome! I arrive at the TH and there are no butterflies in/around the mud. :( I decide to walk just a bit of the trail to kill a little time. There's a Blue at the end of the footbridge! I also see a few Virgins Bower blooms! (They are...
Read more