August 21 - Twin Lakes to Lake Mary Trail (BCC)

 Another sunny, near 100 degrees but it's an off-Friday and I'm heading up BCC to FINALLY hike the Twin Lakes to Lake Mary and Dog Lake trail. Been working on this since Spring but always changing my mind BUT today is the day.

Calm drive up BCC. Spot a deer in the overflow parking for Silver Lake (my only large mammal of the day.

The Millie Lift trail is open again (yea) and when I arrive there are only a couple cars there; not sure if hikers or other. It's just after 7am and the sun is still rises as I take off. The flowers are hanging in there but there are mostly dried up/spent plants along the road. It's quiet and beautiful as I slowly climb the hill. Looking for moose or deer but not finding any.

But there is something different on the trail this morning, someone (official of course) cut a trail across and connecting to the Twin Lakes trail just after crossing the switchback. Interesting. I'm wondering if they are diverting people this way because they are finally starting restoration efforts on the Twin Lakes now steep hill or perhaps cutting a trail. Lots of people have complained about the trail (including myself) after Solitudes repiping of their snow making capabilities. But for today, this doesn't matter to me but it does give me a different loop to see the Pika/Marmots on the avalanche area.

Onward and upward, I am soon at the Twin Lakes cut-off which I pass for another short climb to the other side of Twin Lakes. I head down to the lake and it looks so much different from this side of the lake.


Then it's time to start heading towards Lake Mary. This is a beautiful trail. Lots of downhill (rocky) for a bit; do wish I brought my poles. But super fun too experience.

I find a Pika!

I find some cool flowers in a wet area.

Some interesting bugs on a Coneflower.

Finally reach the avalanche area - incredible.

Now the climb back up to Lake Mary. I finally meet someone along this trail; glad to know I'm not alone.

Yes, Lake Mary from the less traveled side!!!

So beautiful (and quiet, not many people at the lake yet).

Oh, the aspen are starting to change too!

I slowing make my way down to the main trail. Tricky, rocky path again wishing for poles. But I make it safely down and over to Dog Lake. 

I take the 1st path. Flowers are really dry here. But there are some asters and yellow flowers. I reach the path down to Dog Lake. Hey, there's still water in the lake.

No moose but the flowers are a bit better closer to the lake.

I see a Northern Flicker on the way back to the main trail.


Then back to the main trail and it's all downhill. Oh, there are more flowers on the downhill but fading.

Great day! Always great to finish something you've been planning all Spring and can't beat the weather, scenery - Awesome!


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