Silver Lakes — Friday, Sep. 26, 2025

Enjoyed this quiet trail today in the company of only two others at the lake, and a handful more on the trail to Mount Townsend. Silver Lake was more charming than I expected. A few pops of fall foliage on the ridges surrounding the lake. Saw Canada Jays, Hermit Thrushes, Varied Thrushes, Cedar Waxwings, Nuthatches, and squirrels. Parts of the trail were quite warm but our lakeside lunch was chilly and breezy! Be prepared with your assortment of layers for our variable fall weather conditions. A note to those sensitive to smoke—despite fairly clear skies we could smell smoke from the Bear Gulch Fire while on the trail between Silver Lake and the junction with Mount Townsend.