Oct 31 - Lake Solitude (BCC)

 Sunny day with temps in the low 50s. It's in the low 30s when I arrive at Silver Lake this morning just after 8am. And surprise, only 1 car in the lot.

I gear up and start my hike my skirting an icy patch next to the VC. Hmmm, I guess we did have snow/rain this week.

The boardwalk is clear (not even frosty).

Scanning for critters and I find nothing but a few birds.

I arrive at the footbridge just in time to catch a Belted Kingfisher taking off and flying away. Well, at least I've seen something!

After the bridge is gets to be hard walking with lots of frozen muddy footprints but it levels off as I walk down the lake. 

I reach the TH and start up towards Lake Solitude. More patches of icy/snowpack then open patches; seems like a microspike day. (And yes they did on.)

I'm seeing squirrels and a Pika at the 1st little avalanche. But no deer (not even deer tracks) or moose today not even around Lake Solitude. 

I think about climbing up above Twin Lakes and again just head back. I haven't done it in so long it'll be like Spring training all over again; not sure if it's worth it.

On the return, I do head up to the switchback where I see a few Pika.

Good day!

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