Lake Solitude

I have included Lake solitude in older posts, but have not done a post on this lake alone.  I have a geocache by this lake that I hid 9 years ago, and it was finally time to place a new paper log in it, as the old one was full and a bit damp after all those seasons covered by several feet of snow!
This is the hike that inspired me to do a hiking blog, as my wife and I hiked up to this lake and she asked if I would like to get some new trekking poles, and I responded that theses poles had a lot of stories to tell!
     To get to this scenic, easy hike, drive 9.6 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon, park in the parking lot for Silver Lake, which is on your right near the beginning of the loop.  Take the boardwalk that goes around Silver Lake.  I went to the right, which is slightly shorter than the other direction.  At the far side of the lake, about 1/3 mile, you will see a trail and sign on the right. Take this trail a short distance to another sign that shows Twin Lakes to the left, and Lake Solitude to the right.  Go to the right, enjoying a beautiful, mostly shady trail. After maybe 3/4 mile of fairly level trail, the trail turns left and becomes steeper for about 200 feet.  Then you are treated to a beautiful lake, with majestic peaks in the background, plenty of rocks to rest on under the shade of huge pines.  You can walk completely around the lake and poke your head in an open mine shaft on the other side, and get a face full of cool, musty air.   If you have a gps you can search for my geocache, called Rock Solidtude,

http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCQ6DG_rock-solidtude?guid=e40a7151-207c-4038-9949-191b2a35388a

The underside of my geocache

Trekking poles enjoying the view of Lake solitude

The inviting trail to the lake

Some nice wildflowers

Couldn't resist stopping for breakfast on the deck of
Silver Fork Lodge

Perfectly cooked bacon. (The sourdough toast arrived
after I took this picture)