Sept 7 - Lake Solitude

Again, looking for something short without a lot of elevation change -- slim pickings around here -- but decide on the Solitude Nordic Center: a walk around Silver Lake and up to Solitude Lake (probably 3.5 miles total -- 300 ft elevation).

The drive up was pretty empty of cars, as were some of the trailheads; could it be the post-Labor Day blues???? But the runners and bikers were climbing. And winter can't be far off, saw at least 5 folks on their cross-country roller blades climbing the canyon.

Pretty morning, sunny low 50s. The mountains are set against a clear blue sky and brown ground vegetation. Looks very crisp this morning.

Not a lot of folks here yet but then its Sunday and 8:30. I walk around the right side of the lake to get to the Solitude Lake trail quicker. Hoping to see a moose but there doesn't look to be any around Silver Lake. Only a mouse or shrew running across the trail.

Still mostly green here mainly because of the large number of conifers. And surprisedly, the aspen are not really changing unlike my trip to the Mormon Trail the other day --- and its much higher in elevation here (8500+ ft).

But it still looks very pretty.

Make it down the side of the lake and start up towards Lake Solitude. All ground vegetation is pretty much bloomed out with stalks are turning yellow. There are a few asters still hanging out but only a few. The aspens are still green. Most of the walk is in the shade of the mountains.

I get to Solitude Lake and its still totally in the shade. No moose, no deer, no people. I think about finding the trail to head up to Twin Lakes but thought better of it. So I headed down.

Many more people heading up.

My favorite moment of the day: As I headed down the trail, there's a Dad and his little daughter (maybe 3 1/2yrs old) on there knees on the ground looking at something. As I get nearer the Dad gets up and tells his daughter that they need to go. And the little girl says "But I want to watch the caterpillar!". (So cute -- and exactly what kids are supposed to be doing, exploring nature!!) Then I stopped to watch the caterpillar -- a big guy w/ a blue antenna on his backside.

I get back to Silver Lake and start to complete the rest of the loop. Many more people around now. I stop at a little dock and there's a chipmunk on the dock looking for scraps. There are also some female Mallard ducks on the lake doing their morning preening. (Don't know where the males are - all females.)

Two ducks are swimming towards the dock making a nice little wave in the water. As they pass, I can hear them not quacking but slapping their bills shut over and over again. Must be some form of communication.

Around the other end, there are 2 blue dragonflies patrolling that one stretch of trail.

Another short, but good day!