Nov 11 - Willow Lake (BCC)

 Sunny day with highs around 65 degrees -- have to be a record. Luckily for me, it's Veterans Day and I have the day off.

Heading up BCC to hike up to Twin Lakes. I know I already claimed my last visit but today is supposed to be awesome; just need to remember my microspikes.

I start off just after 7:30. It's in the mid-40s already. I'm not too far up the canyon when it hits me; I forgot the microspikes. Shoot! Guess I'm not going up to Twin Lakes. It's Willow Lake for today and that may be interesting as well. Oh well!

I arrive at the Willow Lake TH and there's only one car parked across the street. It's darn nice out already but I do start with a light winter coat. The trail definitely has more snow/ice on it than last time but very doable.

I lose the coat at the start of the loop and start making my way up. I'm taking my time stopping to look and listen but there's nothing really happening.

The trail has bare ground but majority of it is either snow/ice. 

I do see deer tracks as well but no critters.

I reach the meadow 

and make my way to the other side and then head to the lake. It's all iced over now.

Just as I start heading to the other side, there's a downed aspen tree with many signs of beaver chewing on the trunk. No tracks though so it must be awhile since their last visit. Curious where the dam would be though. Hmmm.

Also strange that the lake is iced up but the little creek overflowing is still running.

I reach the opposite side.

I was expecting the trail over here to be clear but it too is ice up.

As I work my way to the aspens on the other side, I see a weasel!!! He's all white with a black. And that's 2 in only a couple weeks. Maybe my new spirit animal. 

He's doing his morning thing I guess - so I get to watch for a little while.

I reach the trees and make my way through and then I'm back on the other side.

Time to head down to complete the loop. Definitely more ice on the trail than last time. Had to walk on the sides of the trail at time to avoid the ice. But it did clear up about 1/2 way down and then it was melting mud the rest of the way down.

Awesome day!

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