Silver Lake to Lake Solitude – Fall

Silver lake is a beautiful, popular, family friendly hike around a stunning lake near the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. I really love it up there but also wanted to get more of a real hike in as well. We have done the trail to Twin Lakes Reservoir before, so this time I decided we would add Lake Solitude to the days adventure.

As we entered the canyon, I started to wonder if maybe this was not the best day to do this with those dark clouds. But it looks like there are blue skies beyond so we continued. (Drive By Photo).

Okay, I knew this was high elevation, but I didn’t quite expect to encounter snow just yet. Looking back, I guess I am not surprised, it is mid October, but still!

Some great color on the mountains above though!

I love the meadow and streams around Silver Lake. For some reason I usually go around clockwise, today we decided to go counter clockwise.

Just beautiful.

Nice clear water.

Starting to get a proper view of the lake.

A little less than halfway around the lake a trail goes back into the woods behind the lake. This is the way to Twin Lakes (1.5 ish miles), or Lake Solitude (2 miles). There used to be a sign, but either it has been removed for the season, or completely. I know it was there, because that is how we decided between the 2 hikes last time, we went for the shorter trail. Anyway, about 50 feet back is the first trail split. Go right for Lake Solitude and Left for twin lakes.

Darn, not much left to the aspens. I bet even yesterday, before this storm, it was fantastic up here. Oh well, it’s still going to be a nice hike.

Well, so far the snow isn’t too much of a hindrance. Also, there were a lot more trail splits with no signage. I kept choosing the trail that seemed to be higher ground and continued in the general west direction. I don’t know if that was necessarily the best route, but it did get us to the lake.

The other side of the canyon looks stunning.

Okay, starting to really get up into the snow. I wasn’t anticipating a winter hike, but heck I’ll take it. Not much later in the season, and I imagine the snow will be much too deep to traverse.

Another view across the canyon.

And with a ski lift. Seem to getting above Solitude now.

And a clearing.

After the clearing the trail curves around the mountain heading somewhat south and gets a little more snowy.

View of the valley below. I thought that might have been the lake we were heading towards, but I guess it is just a swampy area.

… Okay so where is the Doo-Dah run?

Pretty mix of trees.

I really was hoping to get some good fall colors on today's adventure, I got some but meh. I don’t seem to be having the best luck this year.

Nice valley view below.

Snow covered trees.

Snowy forest.

And then we had this snowy steep section to climb. It was a bit slippery, but wasn’t too bad. Wish I had brought along my hiking stick though.

Because I wasn’t 100% sure we were going the right way, and the steepness and snow was starting to make this tough, I decided that if the lake wasn’t at the top of this ridge I was going to call it a day.

Luckily, it was. I am glad we made it to the lake. It is pretty.

With the peaks above.

Quick panoramic.

Steller’s Jay

Oh hey, I have some sky in this one. I love the little island in this lake.

We found a little mine nearby.

Another panoramic.

And a look down towards the valley below.

And from the other side. It is a small enough lake that it doesn’t take very much time to walk around.

And from the valley end.

Looking down the valley below.

And my least obscured view of the other side of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

And back to about where we first saw the lake to get a picture with it. It was a lovely lake to hike around and we had it mostly to ourselves. Although, that could be due to the snow. None last 3 or 4 pictures above captured the fact that we are currently being snowed upon! So, with that said, we decided to head back down.

And back down the steep slope. It was a little more dodgy on the way down, but again we made it without incident.

Snowwy trail with mossy rocks.

Reflections in a puddle. Where there wasn’t snow, there was mud.

Hiking through the trees.

Structure at the top of that ridge. Probably another ski lift.

Back to the clearing. Oh! It is a frolf (Frisbee golf) course. Not really into sports, but I am interested in checking this one out some time.

Another look across the valley. You can just make out the road going up to Guardsman Pass. I thought about checking that out today, but with the snow decided I would try it another time. Probably going to have to wait until next year.

More nekkid aspens.

Nekkid aspens with some color behind them.

Some remaining leaves to focus in on.

Trampled leaves.

Snow tipped trees.

And we’re back to Silver Lake.

That was an amazing hike away from the crowds. I do love Silver Lake so we will continue making our way around it counter clockwise.

Not too far down was another dock that allowed us a view into the water. Which is clear enough to see the pretty trout swimming around.

And offers a great view.

Less debris in the lake here. I don’t recall this lake being particularly gross, but I guess this year it is.

View of the bright spot across the valley.

Nice view of the lake again.

Snowy path through the trees.

Snow covered boardwalk.

The inlet.

Color plus a random bird.

Color and snow.

Another pretty view.

Beaver dam.

View of the wetlands. Last time we were here we saw a moose come this way.

Peak above.

Boardwalk and colors.

Well Silver Lake, although popular and crowded is very beautiful.

Lazy waterfall near Brighton. (DBP)

Colors on the hillsides coming down the canyon. (DBP)

Well, I was hoping for a fantastic fall hike, and ended up with a winter hike! It was still a great hike and I am happy we came out to see it.

Silver Lake: Gorgeous as always, in every season and a nice stroll around a pretty lake. It is quite popular so it is really crowded. 8 out of 10 squirrels. and a difficulty rating of DR2. It is mostly boardwalked, and the parts that are not are wide, flat, hard packed trails.

Lake Solitude: A fantastic easy 2 mile hike (this is in addition to the time it take to get to the trail head from Silver Lake). A great small lake in a beautiful valley with great views surrounding it. Considerably less crowded than Silver Lake, only ran into a few small groups. The snow was a surprise, but wasn’t a deal breaker. Even though it was longer hike than Twin Lakes, I think it was easier (it has been a few years though). 9 out 10 squirrels. Going with a DR3 for this trail. It was mostly a gradual slope, with one short push of a steep incline towards the end.

Both trails are in watershed so dogs are not welcome.