Oct 15 - Mirror Lake and Lofty Lake (Mirror Lake Hwy)

Sunny with temperatures barely reaching 60 degrees - coldest day in a long time.

Decided to head out to the Uintahs to finally hike up to Lofty Lake. Usually this is a summer hike but with Covid and the extra crowds, it wasn't worth the trek. But it's a Thursday and it'll be cold up there, it's time.

The drive is still very pretty. Most of the aspens leaves are gone but the yellows of the willows along the rivers/streams is pretty awesome!

At one point, I round the corner and there is a deer standing in the middle of the road. She crosses and another follows.

Still farther along, there are two deer standing in the road. They cross and another one follows. 

Not a bad start to my day; 5 deer!!

It's in the low 20s when I arrive at Mirror Lake. There is only one other car in the parking lot. I gear up and step out of the car. Oh my, it's super windy! Brrrrr!

I start my walk around the lake despite the wind; sure glad I brought my fleece face mask with me. Unfortunately, it's sitting in my car.

The lake is still all open and not mirror-like today.

As I work my way around the lake, I do get out of the wind for a bit.

No birds, no animals seen.

I'm nervous about the hike to Lofty Lake because of the wind but I'm going anyway.

I head over to the Pass Lake trailhead and I'm the only car there - yea!!

I load up my face mask and ski cap and start up the trail.

Still quiet but I do see a few chipmunks.

The far edge of the first lake I reach is very shallow and frozen.

But the main part of the lake is open.

Scout Lake is also open. 

Just a 1/2 more mile and it's all uphill and getting windy with every step.

Not far past Scout Lake, I spot a lone deer. She's looking right at me.

I continue around her and find 4 little ears with eyes looking at me. 

I believe these are the twin fawns of Mom. Pretty cool!

Up, up over the rocks to above the lake. And then down I go.

And boy is it windy - quite brisk!

I decide to head over to the other side of the lake and take a break.

I scan for mountain goat, but nothing.

I do find a very small edge of ice on the lake. Pretty cool!

Time to head back down the way I came. On my way out of the bowl, I finally meet another hiker (and her dog).

Then it's down, down 

and back to my car.

Awesome day!