Today is slated to be mostly sunny with high in the low 80s; beautiful for all Mom's and an awesome day to get out. The problem is where will there not be crowds.
My thought last night Mill D South to my normal stopping point in the middle of the meadow. But I worry that there may be Donut Falls crowds earlier and I'd have to contend with lots of folks on my return. I'm just not sure if there are early crowds in the canyons as there's still lots of snow.
So finally, I decided to head up to Silver Lake and earlier. I'm pretty sure if I can get there by 7am I will probably have it to myself (and I'll scout the Mill D South parking as well).
It's in the 50s when I leave around 6:30 am. The sun hasn't risen over the mountains yet but it is dawn.
The snow is gone from the lower part of the canyon. S-turn already has cars as folks head up to Lake Blanche. Mill D South is snow-free, at least at the start, and only a couple of cars. That's good to know in the following weeks.
As expected, the higher up the canyon I go snow starts appearing. But the south facing slopes (at least from what I can see from the road) are snow-free. Good news for Willow Lake!!
I arrive at the Silver Lake parking and there is absolutely no one!! Yea, for me!
The sun is still coming up over the peaks but it's a bit overcast up at this altitude and it's only 35 degrees; very happy I have my fleece and gloves.
The parking lot is clear and so is the side walk until I get to the other side of the Visitor's Center then it's all snow!
Not a flat snow but one with lots of divets to make walking difficult.
There is a flattened snow-packed footpath towards the footbridge and I follow.
I reach the footbridge. It's melted out on the edges but about a foot or so snow in the middle. The water on my right is melted and flowing towards the lake.
The other side is somewhat clear of ice.
I see a pair of Mallards over on the icy side.
I finish crossing the bridge and head around the lake. Actually there are 2 pairs of Mallards together.
I continue along
passing a frozen moose track until I reach the turn off towards the Twin Lakes and Lake Solitude trails.
A bit farther along, I find the Twin Lakes trail but can't find Lake Solitude yet.
Up I go through the leafless Aspens
until I reach the switchback.
Time to head across.
I immediately hear the chirps of Pika and find one in the rocks.
And surprise, I also see a hummingbird. Not sure what he's doing at this elevation at this time of year (there's no nectar). Keep migrating little guy.
I complete the crossing of the switchback and find a nice spot over looking the lake for a bit of a break.
Part of me would like to continue up to Twin Lakes but I didn't bring the proper stuff. Next time.
Time to head down.
At the bottom I continue around Silver Lake. There's still no one in sight (yea). I stop at the dock
along the way. I also see a ground squirrel!
I'm more than 1/2 way around
when I see a couple just starting around.
Once I'm out of the trees, there's no obvious packed path back to the Visitor's Center. Time to wing it over the pitted snow.
Great day!
No comments:
Post a Comment