June 22 - Silver Lake to Solitude Lake to Twin Lakes Loop

Heading to higher elevations today -- the Solitude ski resort. Last time I was here was for snowshoeing around Silver Lake in Feb (quite frozen and snowy). Definitely a warmer day today around 53 degrees when I got here around 9:30 (sunny). I got one of a last couple parking spots in the "desired" area close to the Interpretive Center.

The trail circles Silver Lake (ele ~8700ft). On the South and West sides, it is a boardwalk over the wetter portions of Silver Lake. I head around the lake in a counterclockwise direction as that where the trail to Solitude Lake begins.

I notice a small group of people just ahead taking photos -- I know this is great moose habitat (there's even warning signs as they are very dangerous creatures) so perhaps..... Yes, moose!!!

Three to be exact! Two older males (still have velvet on their growing antlers) and a young one. He is definitely a male as he has little "button" antlers. Hehas to be at least a year one otherwise he'd still be with Mom. Just a bunch of bachelor moose laying in the grass on a Sat morning ....people watching.

Continue on. Quite a few people; mostly families with smaller kids -- which is nice to see. At around 0.4 miles is my turnoff to Solitude Lake. From here it is about 1.5miles to the Lake thru an aspen/fir/spruce forest. Lots of good flowers along the way: Meadowrue, bluebells (some with the same caterpillars on them as I saw at Lambs Canyon), Geraniums (white and red), a yellow flowers, lupine (some are blooming), white columbine, white & yellow violets, heart-leafed arnica and red paintbrush (just to name a few). Pretty quiet -- I think I ran into 1 biker and one group of people that looked to be on some group tour. The trail crosses under a ski lift -- no one going up (but the lift is running).

When I get to Solitude Lake (9040ft), I did not arrive to solitude; there was a group of boy scouts and one was making a "Caw Caw" sound which was OK cause he was having fun, but he just wouldn't stop.

Anyway, the lake is nestled in on 3 "sides" by mts; the 4th is open to a ski maintenance road. (I'm really close to the maintenance trail.) The lake is surrounded by lots of bluebells, paintbrush, geraniums and something that looked a little like white candytuft.

The trail continues around the lake and reconnects to the maintenance trail and then starts the uphill climb to Twin Lakes. There are really pretty little patches of flowers (reds, yellows, whites and blues) on the far side of the lake against the high cliffs.

Its a bit of a climb; feels more than just 500ft. Somehow I missed the old mine on the way up. There are patches of snow (pretty big patches) but all off the trail.

Finally, Twin Lakes! (Twin Lakes used to be 2 lakes until the dam was built and made a single lake) I'm above the lake on the east side. The south side nestles in mountains with snow. Looks really pretty (very alpine)

The north side is a big dam.

I finally see a butterfly!! Its a Chryxus Arctic. There are quite a few flying up here around 9500 ft.

I follow the trail down to the lake. Quite a few people down here. I find a spot to grab a quick lunch and then escape the crowd and walk down the east side of the lake to the other side. Have to do a little bit of scrambling over some rocks and trees but majority of the trail is flat and easy. The views of the mt and lake are much better down at lake level. I get to my destination at the other end of the lake; perfectly quiet over here. The only thing I hear are the sounds of a waterfall somewhere.

The lake level is really low (big beach). I rest for a bit and then decide to find the waterfall. That requires a hop over a small creek, a small wet area and around a hill and then I'm stopped by snow and snow that no one has walked thru yet. Based on past experience, not going there. So I just go on top of the hill to see the small waterfall.

Time to head back. More people now and as I head down even more people heading up the rocky road (I'm glad I went to Solitude Lake first, the trail is much better). I see a Sara Orangetip and Milberts on the way down.

I get back to Silver Lake and finish the loop. (I wonder if the moose are still around.) On the opposite end of Silver Lake from the Interpretive Center there is a patch of Elephant's Head (because the flower looks like a elephant's head complete with trunk),

shooting star (tiny), and an Orchid (I think its white bog orchard). I can't believe everyone is just walking past and not even noticing these beautiful little flowers!!

See a Mourning Cloak -- a little girl was at first scared of this thing flying at her (she almost took it out with her fishing pole); but once until it landed, she was OK with it.

I get back to the Interpretive Center side and 2 of the moose were still around including the small one. Both laying in the grasses. I got to watch the small one get up, check out the crowd and then wandered over to the other male. The young one smelled the older one and walked a few steps away and laid down again.

Very cool!