Nov 11 - Twin Lakes (BCC)

 Sunny day with temp in the mid-60s AND it's Veteran's Day (a holiday this work year)! I was supposed to be flying to Chicago to visit my family but air traffic is impaired due to the Govt Shutdown (boo!). Although my outbound flight was confirmed, there's no guarantee my flight back will. I'm not a gambler so I sadly cancelled my trip to see family. :(

But I'm pumped today because I AM getting to Twin Lakes today! No more bailing at the last; today is Twin Lakes. And I'm taking the main trail. It's been open for a couple now and it's the quickest way to get up there (and not bail). I'm curious to see what it looks like as it's been closed for Solitude's water improvements. Hey, it can't be worse than it was before as I always hated going down the rocky steep beast. 

I arrive at Silver Lake around 8am. Only one other car in the lot (surprised for a holiday for some). It's in the low 30s as I make my way to the TH. As in prior weeks, no moose, no deer, and no beaver.

Silver Lake continues to ice up. 

Hiking season is coming to a close in the mountains. This will probably be my last trip here for the year so let's make the best of it and get my butt up to Twin Lakes.

I head directly up to the switchback. I hear Pika but do see him calling.


Continuing along the switchback, it gets really icy but I skirt by on the edge of the trail against the mountain. I clear at the end of the switchback and hey, the re-graded switchback is nice as it got rid of all the rocks AND at the end it's smooth and not a little rocky gully.

I turn to face the newly graded mountain slope and it's awesome! All the rocky-ness is gone!! It's just a very steep wide slope - very steep. (They graded thru the "steep" trail as well.) Unfortunately, all the wildflowers have been graded. (Boo!)

Up I go! I take my time; not looking to break records or kill myself (and trying not to sweat too much cause its cold). Just climbing a bit, stopping and looking/listening. It's dead quiet except the noises of them working on the Brighton lifts.

At one point, I see a deer (a doe)! I'm exciting as this is the 1st one in months. Oh wait, there a second! 

I continue to climb as they too move off. I stop one more time to see 3 deer; one looks like a baby. Awesome!

Soon I start to mountain peaks and the trail comes to an end abruptly. They did all the grading but forgot to put a trail out of it so I make my own way.

Looks like they redid the dam area too; all the brush is gone.

Then it's up to the dam and then around to a low but beautiful Twins Lakes. Finally!

I take a brief rest before continuing uphill to my perch! 

I have to walk thru some snow to get there but it's nice to be back!!

After a short break, it's time to head downhill to Lake Solitude. The top part of the trail is snow covered (less than an inch) or icy but easy to down to Lake Solitude.

Lake Solitude looks to have a solid ice patch or two now.

Then it's back down to Silver Lake. A bit muddy heading back to my car in spots.

Absolutely wonderful day! So happy I made it to Twin Lakes. So happy to see 3 deer!

Oh and thanks to all of our warriors past and present; Happy Veterans Day!!

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