It's about 70 degrees and very windy when I arrive at Silver Lake. I'm little surprised by the shrubs, willows, grasses all getting into their Fall colors already. I know its coming soon but a week ago I was looking at patches of beautiful lupine and paintbrush at an elevation that's about 500 ft higher up, and now this! But it is the end of Aug....
I'm get to the rock slide area above Silver Lake and there are Pika chirping; and squirrels and chipmunk running around. The most I've seen, many carrying pine cones -- stocking up for the upcoming winter.
Seeing lots of Purple/white aster and yellow composites.
Most everything else is past bloom.
As I approach the dam and into the open, the wind is really strong - barely felt it down below.
I get around the dam expecting very low water (it was low in the Spring) but the lake is pretty high. It could go higher course but this is good. And Twins Lakes is once again a single lake! Surprising!
I make my way down the side of the lake to the other end and find a nice rock to enjoy the sounds of the wind, the few ducks on the lake, .... quiet.
Time to head back. As usual, I'm keeping my eyes open for moose -- hasn't paid off this year yet -- the only 2 I've seen I had to brake for as they crossed the road.
I get to the rock slide and a pika hops on a rock 10ft from me, he lets out a chiirrrrp, drops down to a lower rock, and enjoys the view of Silver Lake below.
I'm back down to the lake and decide to complete the loop around it.
Lots of squirrels and chipmunks running around.
I spot a single doe grazing in a small meadow at the corner of the lake. (I saw 3 deer in this same spot last time I was here.)
There's a Mom duck and her 3 ducklings hiding in the lakeside grasses
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Good hike!
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