Since I had a wonderful time at Twin Lakes yesterday, my curiosity about Brighton Lakes is high - so I'm heading just around the loop from the Twin Lakes trail head at Silver Lake to the Brighton Ski Resort to hike up to Lake Mary. And hopefully Lake Martha and Catherine (Brighton Lakes) depending on snow.
When I get out of work, there's some dark clouds making their way into the valley but the weather forecast for Brighton indicates no rain until after 8pm -- plenty of time for a hike.
I get to the trail head and its still sunny but there are clouds to the east and south (and of course in the valley to the west).
It's 1.2 miles and 800ft of elevation to Lake Mary (9560 ft).
It's a good start as the ski slope I need to climb is free of snow. A little here and there under trees but that doesn't count. The trail is a bit muddy and wet in spots as water from the melting snow rolls down the slopes (lots of very tiny stream crossings along the trail).
As I would expect, not a lot in blooming and even the vegetation is very low to the ground. However, in spots, there are lots of yellow Glacier Lilies in bloom and those little white flowered plants I've seen a lot of this Spring.
Ground squirrels are popping up (and disappearing) everywhere.
At one point, I finally reach snow on the trail (about 4 inches or so) but then I'm back on regular trail again.
Then I really hit the snow on a slope. I should have followed some young guys off-trail but went up the snowy hill. I got tired of sinking and made my way to the edge - the ground under the pines was snow-free - go figure - but it's easier traveling even though I had to climb logs/branches/rocks. I knew once I got past the big boulder I'd be able to find my way.
Got up the hill past the snowy section and started looking for the trail. And before I knew it I was at Dog Lake (a different Dog Lake than the one several miles down the canyon). I'm still good because I was planning on making a detour here anyway --- just took the unexpected detour earlier than expected. :)
The lake is really low but the mountains behind the lake are still snowy -- very pretty.
There's a couple of female Mallards feeding on the lake.
I think about trying to find the short-cut trail up past Lake Mary/Martha and try to get to Lake Catherine but with all the snow still around I'm not even trying it.
So I find the main trail and make my way towards Lake Mary.
I'm not expecting too much of Lake Mary because they redid the dam last summer -- water levels should be low.
The trail to Lake Mary is mostly clear but still some snowy sections.
I continue to the lake and sure enough, it's very low. Still pretty with the mountains behind.
The lake surprisingly still has ice chunks on it.
The clouds are really rolling in now.
I head to down to the lake to enjoy the views. Lots of large hoof prints heading down to the lake too - unfortunately the large animal who owns them is no where to be seen. :(
And then head to the trail to Lake Martha --- still has snow on it. End of my hike today.
Time to head down. Hoping I don't end up on my butt going down the snowy hills (and I didn't).
Did spot some Marsh Marigolds blooming in some of the water logged sections of the trail.
Good day!
No comments:
Post a Comment