Aug 30 - Willow Lake (BCC)

 Sunny day with a high of 80 degrees.

It's a work Friday but I have < 1hr to complete the work week. After 2 hours, I drive off to hike Willow Lake. Canyon is quiet this morning but chilly - there's frost!

At the last minute I decide to hike to Lake Solitude. It seems like the right decision as I get a green light immediately to head thru the one-lane road towards Silver Lake. Only a few cars in the lot around 7am.

I gear up and head to the boardwalk only to be greeted by a side indicating the path to the trail head is closed. Somehow after 3 seasons of work and trail closures (and the trail to Twin Lakes was closed last year due to construction), they've closed access to the trails. Argh! (At Labor Day week-end no less.) Not sure what they are doing. Maybe it'll be back open today but I'm heading to Willow Lake!

I park at Willow Lake TH and start up the trail. The flowers are pretty much gone at this point - even the Goldenrod at past. There are Asters and some Yellow Composites.

The waterfall early on is still flowing but just a bit more than a trickle.

The trees haven't started to change yet but this morning's frost could start the process. 

Actually run into 3 people heading downhill -- early risers!!

I finally reach the meadow which is in the sun! Yea!

As I cross the meadow, I stop for the frosty plant life.

I head thru the aspen grove and pop out at the last. Surprisingly still full!

I walk around the corner of the lake and finally can actually see the lake. Many ducks on the lake and sleeping alone it's shore.

No moose in sight though.

I continue along the backside of the lake stopping for a hawk that squawks as it passes me and then lands in a pine tree. I try to take a photo but I'm focused in the wrong spot. I eventually flies off.

Then its back into the woods when I meet a couple who asks about moose. I say I only have seen a hawk. (They did too.)

I'm honestly not paying attention because that couple have just been through here. I'm coming up on the final part before popping out of the woods when I startle two deer and a grouse. The grouse is basically at my feet. He flies but lands not too far away. The vegetation is so thick I cannot find him.

The deer go bouncing off. Boing, boing! The only disappears but the other stops so I can check her out. 


Very cool!

Time to head down the other side. And back to my car.

Good day!

I meet an e

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