Nov 2 - Willow Lake (BCC)

Mostly cloudy day with temps in the 40s w/ rain/snow coming in later.

I want to hike up to Willow Lake but with 8 inches of snow earlier this week I'm skeptical. I'm sure there have been some hardy folks breaking the trail but ... we''ll see.

Driving up the canyon is pretty much snow-free. Amazing since we haven't had much snow this week. Of course, the north facing slopes have snow but the south-facing appear to be snow-free at least at the lower ends. Maybe I can go up to Twin Lakes.

I'm cruising along until just before Silver Fork an old beater Ryder car from New Hampshire pulls in front of me going a mere 20-25 miles an hour. I'm guessing that's as fast as it can go going up hill. The cars in back of me quickly catch up.

But as I near the Willow Lake TH, I see only 2 cars and seemingly no snow, so I'm hiking to Willow Lake today!!!!

The trail is snow free when I start up. There snow in spots off trail and the aspens are naked. 

I do run into patches of ice and a couple of bow hunter at the start of the trail loop - no critter sightings for them (and mostly likely for me as well).

I continue up the trail. The trail as I head higher is a mix of clear, ice and packed snow. I am I have my microspikes for the way down.

The Solitude slopes are starting to look nice. And no, they are not yet making snow.

I do find some deer tracks on the trail as I head up but no sightings.

I'm just about at the meadow and I find more deer tracks. Looks like several of them.

I arrive at the meadow and its starting to look nice.

I make my way to Willow Lake and since the leaves are off the trees I can make it down to the lake. The lake is frozen; I just tell how thick.

There's no critters around the lake.

As I make my way around to the other side, I do find some rabbit tracks.

On the other side, things look just as nice with a cloudy sun rising over the treeline.

I make a brief stop on the opposite to put on the microspikes and then continue to make my way around the lake and thru the woods. As I pass thru, I notice blue sky on the horizon - yea!

Just before exiting the woods, I spot blood on the snow in several spots. Appears someone got lucky hunting.

Back on the other side and with sunny skies, I head back to Willow Lake for a quick look.

Time to head down.

I meet 2 guys on their way up. Pretty quiet trip.

Highlight is a Downy Woodpecker sighting. He's down low and near the trail!!

Back at my car, I notice a still blooming Aster and a bunch of Aster seedheads.

Good day!

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