May 25 - Willow Lake (BCC)

Sunny day with temps near 80. Heading up BCC for the 1st time this year and heading to hike the Willow Lake Trail. Pretty exciting as my favorite area starts opening up again!! Love it!

Arrive sometime between 7:30 - 8am. Surprised that there are 4 cars parked already. Early birds - love it - but some much for wildlife, probably. :(

It's around 45 degrees this morning as I start up the trail. Many Bluebells are already blooming at the start up the trail but they are only present at the start and a portion of the 1st switchback. Otherwise it's a lot of green young plants growing. Give it another week or so.

The aspen are naked except a few where I can see a few tiny green leaves. And the waterfall still flowing.

I meet a lady on her way down who said she saw a few deer so maybe there some hope - always hope right :)

Meet 2 more hikers on their way, another two who camped the night and yet one more couple as I entered the meadow. I think I have the place to myself at this point!

The meadow is scurrying with ground squirrels.

The pond is full but no sounds of frogs - too cool is my guess.

I reach the aspen grove and look at the beauty behind me.

As I head to the lake, I hear a very busy woodpecker somewhere in the trees above me.

I reach the lake and she's quite full as expected. I see a few ducks (Mallards) swimming around.

Lots of birds singing.

I make my way around the west edge of the lake and requires crossing over a bunch of aspen logs. On the other side, tons of Bluebells waiting to go full bloom!

And a Warbler I get a decent glimpse of - I think it's a MacGillivrays Warbler but I don't have a photo.

I make my way down the other side of the lake watching the busy ground squirrels.

Once again, I enter the aspen grove. Very quiet in here.

On the other side is snow; packed snow that make it a bit interesting getting back to the start of the trail. I hear that woodpecker again and try to find him. I only find a Flicker. I don't think he is the one pecking but he is the only one I see.

 But off the snow, it's beauty again.

Time to head down. 

At one point, surpise, I meet a doe on the left side of the trail.

Then I notice another, no two on the opposite side. 

They group up and walk towards me in the forest. It's 2 doe and

a buck (probably a yearling). Nice!


Then it's back down to the TH.

Awesome hike! Glad to be back!

While on up the canyon, I drive up to Brighton to check the alternate Twin Lakes trail and yes, it requires a couple more weeks. Surprised that no one was climbing up to Lake Mary already but the day is still young. It'll be snow covered one.

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