August 16 - Lake Solitude (BCC)

 Sunny day with highs in the mid-90s. (Had 2 days of very good monsoon rains this week - finally and much needed!)

Heading to hike to Lake Solitude and back (with a detour up to the switchback to look for Pika) this morning. Need something quick because I'm wearing a heart monitor.

Left home at 6:30; trying to beat the traffic (road construction at the mouth of BCC for the next 3 weeks), the sun, crowds (hoping with school starting most of them have gone home) and the heat.

On the drive up, I see a cow moose grazing road side and a bull moose a little farther down the road walking along the side of the road. Didn't stop for either but still very fun to see!!

Also see a deer crossing the road near Solitude!

Oh, at Mill D there some shrubs changing colors already. Eek!

I arrive at Silver Lake and it's pretty empty. It's still dusk and in the mid-50s. Beautiful morning!


There are visible moose around the lake this morning. Pretty quiet.

Reach the trail and start my way to Lake Solitude. I'm pretty sure I'm the first traveler this morning so my hopes are high for at least deer. 

Flowers continue to fade.

No chipmunks, squirrel even the birds were pretty quiet on the way to the lake. Not even a Pika peep along the way.

I reach Lake Solitude. There are a couple of ducks on the lake but no deer to be seen. 

I take a quit break before starting on my way back. I do meet one hiker heading to the lake on my return.

I head up to the switchback where I see a Pika on the upside and one on the downside. Heard of few peeps but they were pretty quiet.

Time to head back down to Silver Lake. 

Nearing the end of the boardwalk by the parking lot and I get a glimpse of a single deer moving in the brush.

Good end for a nice hike! (And great wildlife - 2 moose and 2 deer!)


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