Heading up to Twin Lakes Pass this morning. Planning on starting at Silver Lake, passing Lake Solitude, up to the Pass and then returning the Twin Lake trail. The trail is somewhere between 5-6 miles with an elevation gain of 1260 ft to 9960 ft.
When I arrive at the Silver Lake parking lot around 8:30, the parking is about full but that's because 1/4 of the parking lot is blocked off for some reason. Many people with their fishing gear heading out.
Very lush and green with the Iris in bloom
as I start out heading in the counter-clockwise direction to the Lake Solitude trail head. Lots of birds singing and flitting a bout.
I cross the foot bridge - nice clear water this morning and continue around the side of the lake
(This is my first trip to Lake Solitude this year as well so there will be lots of new stuff to see.)
I reach the trail head and take the right trail heading to Lake Solitude. The trail is mostly through an aspen grove on the western side of a mountain but there are patches of sun light.
In the first sunny section is full of yellow composites, pink geraniums and some horsemint - a very happy place.
The other typically sunny patches, still in the shade as I pass thru, have just a few flowers in bloom (lupine, paintbrush, white columbine, tall Jacob's Ladder, etc).
I do see a couple of 2-tailed Swallowtails as I pass through the forest edges.
In 1.5 miles I reach Lake Solitude.
Then continue around the right side of the lake reaching a ski cat road that I'll take all the way to a spot above Twin Lakes.
As I walk, I see some Lilac bordered Coppers flying.
And some small pockets of incredible blooms.
And some chipmunks getting their exercise.
Up, up I go until reaching that spot above Twin Lakes and I'm greeted thankfully by a cool wind. Feels so good!
I turn right and start heading to the obscure trail leading to the Pass.
Lot's of flowers in bloom. The plan is to not look for butterflies here on my way up but a small yellowish flyer catches my eye as Sulphurs are typically bigger than this one. I watch it as it almost lands many times but is at least staying in the same area. Then a flash of orange on a wing tip catches my eye. It's a female Orangetip!!
They, unlike the male who is white, have a yellowish tinge. What a surprise - I thought they'd be done flying by now!
I continue up the trail until I reach the trail to the Pass. They've done a bit of trail maintenance and it's much easier to find. I climb the small hill. The trail from here to the pass has very little elevation change.
Well, I do spend a good deal of time around Twin Lakes especially for after works hikes but only hike to Twin Lakes Pass once a year typically in the Fall with the 1st snowfall. So when I start walking to the Pass and see so many flowers - Wow! Gotta love those mountain flowers!!
Let's say it's a very slow walk through nature's garden. The smell is incredible! Love the buzzing of the busy little bees. I'm see some Blue butterflies - probably Boisduval's Blue, a few Frits, a Parnassian and White but no one is stopping to nectar on any of those beautiful flowers. :(
Except a little green Western Green Hairstreak.
Quite a few of them flying today.
I can't forget Twin Lakes down below. She's looking beautiful.
I look for moose but can't find one down there but I'll continue to look as I get closer to the Pass.
I reach the Pass, check out the Little Cottonwood side where I can see all the way to the Salt Lake Valley
And take a short break. Such a beautiful, colorful day!
Then darn the bad luck, I get to go back through all those wonderful flowers!
Several Clark's Nutcracker on the way. They are making a bunch of noise.
Back on the "normal" trail, I head down to Twin Lakes. Funny, that the flowers nearing the dam are less prolific than the ones above -- must be the sunnier location up top.
At the dam
I don't spend much time here -- too many people -- and then work my way down the rest of the hill to the switchback over Silver Lake. (See a Weidenmeyer's Admiral just before reaching the switchback.)
Again, no Pika on the switchback. Last year, the Marmots disappeared; this year, it appears the Pika may have too. :(
Then it's back down to Silver Lake and my car.
Incredible day!
