Another after work hike today -- Willow Heights Trail is the adventure. Partly sunny day and around 74 in the valley. Up at the trailhead, its in the mid-60s. Several cars are parked there, so I'll have company.
The aspens around the trailhead are just starting to leave out (nice light green tinge) and the bluebells are starting to bloom. It's definitely getting greener as the vegetation keeps growing -- can't wait to see all of this in bloom.
A ground squirrel greets me as I start up the trail.
For now, as I get higher, its just those little white flowered plants that are still blooming.
Views of the ski resorts are still beautiful even though there is less snow on them.
The entire trail is clean of snow now - a couple patches hidden in the forest still exist but not many.
The aspens higher up have yet to leaf out but soon.
I come into the meadow and there's no snow here either. The little pond is a bit smaller
and the ground squirrels are running around but not in the numbers as last time - perhaps there's just too many people around.
There are a few buttercups and Spring Beautys blooming around the pond.
I head to Willow Lake. Last time here a couple weeks back, I stopped before getting to the Lake due to a couple of feet of snow. Today, I find out that I stopped about 15 feet short of the Lake. Ugh! Oh well, live and learn!
Boy is the lake beautiful! Surrounded by aspens, mountains, and lots of willow. And Lovely reflections.
I head left around the lake (because a few people ahead of me head to the right).
I looking for moose or deer as this would be a perfect spot!
I get to the other side and start hearing frogs calls -- Chorus Frogs calls!! Lovely sound!
But there is a Mallard pair in the lake.
The lake looks a little low for just past the snow melt -- but then we were below average in snowfall this winter.
The views back towards the resorts is really pretty.
I take the trail around the lake and boy does it take a loooong path around. I actually thought I was heading off to another lake. The trail heads back through the woods (not much green here yet because of the recently melted snow). Finally, the trail starts to loop back -- the wide loop is due to a wetland filled with willows.
I make it back to the opposite side of the lake where I do have to walk to about 2 feet of snow for a little bit. I end up back above the little pond. Not where I thought the trail would lead but it works. I head back to the lake because I want to walk the trail to the right of the lake -- want to see if I can spot a frog.
There's really no trail here -- just a muddy bank. I walk down it but could never see a frog. I do find moose and/or deer tracks in the mud!!
I do spot a 2 birds flying around the lake. They land not to far from me on the edge of the lake. I slowly walk down hoping to get a good look at them. I do spot one. Definitely a shorebird -- long legs and bill and spots on its breast. It likes to bob its tail up and down. It's a Spotted Sandpiper in breeding plumage -- pretty cool!
I should stay a while but I heading to Silver Lake now.
Nothing too exciting here -- spots some Mallards sleeping near the boardwalk.
And a few more walking around the meadow. Just very quiet.
Good day!
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