Nov 7 - Snowy Twin Lakes (Big Cottonwood Canyon)

We had more snow this week -- wasn't the big snow producer that was initially expected :( But still dropped about 5 inches in the higher elevations.

Today I'm heading up to Twin Lakes (between Brighton and Solitude Ski resorts) for my last trip of the year. I'm actually hoping to get up to Twin Lakes Pass. The trail has been closed since Spring for reconstruction but it has to be open by now, ski season will be opening in a few weeks! (hopefully)

Sunny morning but very cold! Heavy frost in the valley last night -- I could hear my leaves falling like rain against my windows, AC, etc very early this morning.  It's about 33 degrees when I leave my house.

The lower canyon has no snow but after about 4.5 miles there is light snow along the road. As I get higher, in the shade, it's only 18 degrees and in the sun, 23 degrees. Brrrrr!

The cold isn't keeping people from hiking though; the trail heads are pretty busy.

As I pass the Solitude Ski Resort, I notice they are busy making snow.

The mountains are certainly snow covered but it doesn't look like 5-6 inches -- looks more like a dusting. Guess I'll find out went I get out of my car in a bit.

I arrive at Silver Lake. I was expecting the parking lot to be at least 1/2 full -- it's after 9:30 -- but there's only a couple of cars. Good for me!

I round the Visitor's Center and it looks so pretty. But it's not the snowy mountains that I'm impressed with, it the hoar frost that is covering everything that's pretty spectacular!

The plants and grasses are covered so are the tree and shrub branches. The frost looks like little tiny frozen leaves layered on the vegetation.

Or like frozen ice crystals.

It's all so wonderful!

I walk counterclockwise to the Twin Lakes trail. The boardwalk is packed snow. Besides all the hoar frost, there are little piles of snow on the branches.

Much of the lake is now covered in ice -- only a few open spots. In those spots, there are lovely reflections.

I get my trail and am happy to see that the sign indicating the upper trail is closed is no longer there. Yea - I'll be able to get to Twin Lakes Pass today!!

I start making my way up the snow packed trail through the now bare aspen trees. The trail is much easier now as the snow has smoothed the rocky trail.

When I get to the wide ledge crossing over Silver Lake, I hear the call of a Pika. Can't find him though. I'm surprised that he would be out on such a cold day and with snow covering their rocky territory.

I continue on. Thankfully, I'm not the only crazy person who'd walk this trail in the snow. Plenty of footprints to follow along. (Including deer tracks)

As I get higher, I can see that Brighton is making snow today too!

The views are excellent especially when I get to the dam (and past it).

I make a quick stop at the lake. Only a few footprints and they are all close to the dam. The rest of the snow is pristine except some animal tracks.

I start making my way up the trail towards the Pass. I get maybe 100-200 yards when I see that the trail is still closed -- a plastic fence blocking the trail and a sign. I do see that people have chosen to ignore the sign and proceed up the trail. I'm tempted to continue but I'm not going ignore the sign -- it's there for a reason - Twin Lakes Pass just wasn't in my cards this year. (Though I believe I can get to it from a trail in Little Cottonwood Canyon....)

I do spot at an overlook at the fence line... the smaller second lake (in the distance) is frozen, while the near lake is mostly open water still.

So I head back to the Lake. I wander through the untouched snow (about 3 inches) for a little bit.

I head back down past the dam, then crossing a stream and climbing back to the east side of the dam. More snow over here -- this side gets less sun. I walk down towards the lake.

Time to head back to Silver Lake.

When I get back to the lake, I complete the loop.

Lovely day.