June 13 - Twin Lakes (BCC)

 Sunny day with temps in the mid-90s today. Heading up to Twin Lakes again today.

I leave early to beat the construction crowds and arrive around 8am. Thankfully, not many people here yet.

No deer or moose as I head to the trailhead. But there's a bunch of people watching something... oh! it's beavers!!!

I reach the TH and start heading up. The Lilies are all but gone this week.

I reach the switchback and there's an elderly guy with camera watching for Pika. We chat for a while. His name is Bill and he's 84 years old. I believe I met him 4 years ago climbing up to Twin Lakes when there was still 3+ feet of snow on the ground in Spring. We came from different directions and met at the Lake. It was his 80th birthday - small world sometimes. 

I do see a couple of Pika.

I continue up to the dam. No deer or butterflies today but there are more flowers coming up like Bluebells, Wallflower, and Paintbrush to name a few.

But there's a Marmot in a rock hole and he's looks like he's scratching his back.

Then onto the Lake which I have to myself this morning. 

Now what to do? Should I go up? I can see the trail to the Pass still has snow - nope. I could go up and then down to Lake Solitude thru the snow - I left the spikes at home so no. I'll go back down the Millie Lift road. Maybe I'll see a moose or some butterflies. 

I start down and quickly find a Field Crescent.

I find no moose or deer but I do find another Marmot!

And I have to cross a short snow field.

Near the last couple switchbacks, I find a 4 Spotted Skimmer.

And then a Juba Skipper.

Not the butterfly mecca I was hoping for but it's something and it's not even 9:30.

Awesome day!

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