Oct 24 - Lake Solitude (BCC)

 Cool morning but sunny day in the mid-50s.

Heading to hike up to my perch above Twin Lakes but that change as I have to be home noon so just heading to Lake Solitude.

Arrive at Silver Lake and the sun is still below the mountains. It's around 34 degrees and the boardwalk is frosty. I decide to head directly to the trail this morning to save some time.

No beavers, deer or moose in the area.

I reach the TH and head up the trail. At the trail split, the path up to the switchback (and Twin Lakes) was not blocked as the last time I was up; though the sign at the TH says that the trail to Twin Lakes is closed.

Oh well, I continue on to Lake Solitude. Quiet walk except I get yelled at by several squirrels. No deer or moose. Where did all the deer go? Did all the construction scare them away?

No Pika sightings either though I did hear one on the big avalanche.

I reach Lake Solitude. Ice has formed on parts of the lake last night.

I take a brief break before heading back.

Since the other path to the switchback also is no longer blocked, I decide to take a detour up to the switchback. This is where they did some work as the trail is newly graded and a bit easily to walk.

Soon I'm in the avalanche zone on the switchback. I see a Pika way below and hey, there's a chipmunk.

They graded here as well. All the good sitting rocks are gone. :(

I see one other Pika near the trail before heading down.

Wow! The trail really sucks coming down from the switchback. When they graded they pushed bunches of rocks downhill and onto the trail. Yuk!

The trail, thankfully, becomes it's normal self farther down the trail.

Back at the TH, I head to my car. Still very empty at 10am.

Good day!

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