Backpacking to Silverlakes 1,2 and 3

A couple weeks ago Sean, Peter and I hiked to Silver Lake up AF canyon.  If you drive past Tibble Fork reservoir, turn right onto a dirt road when you see the Granite Flats campground, then you end up at Silver Lake.  Then there is a trail on the north side to a smaller lake which is also called Silver Lake (you'd think they could be more creative with the names. Just wait - there's another lake farther up called Silver Glance Lake).  Anyway, the hike to the second Silver Lake is a beautiful hike through the aspens, into big meadows, and then up to the pines and granite cliffs.  There is a nice stream that runs near the trail for most of it and sometimes it runs over the large granite rocks to make waterfalls.  What a site!  I kept thinking I was back in Switzerland. 

Sean carried Peter the whole way up and back! He's so macho.  I like that they are making the same face in this picture! Peter was laughing and laughing as he tickled me with his weed.

Peter and I next to Silver Lake.  Once we got there, we talked to some people who told us that there was another smaller lake (that's Silver Glance Lake) about a mile north of where we were, so Sean and I decided that we would return and go backpacking to get there. 

Look at those dirty feet! I wish I could say those were some stellar Chaco tan lines... but it all washed off once I got in the stream. 

.....Two Weeks Later......

We went back to Silver Lake with nothing but what we could carry on our backs.  Sean and I, along with Sean's brother Isaac and his wife Camber, scrambled up hill and dale in search of the infamous Silver Glance Lake.  Luckily we found it when I was just about to give out.  It was perfect and pristine with waterfalls coming off the huge granite cliffs surrounding a small lake.  

I found this awesome bug.  I don't think it's a lady bug because it didn't have spots.  It's definitely a member of the coleopteran family though. Can anyone tell me what it's called?

Our campsite was complete with reclining chairs made of granite slabs.  Comfy! They even had foot rests and arm rests.  I'm really glad that whoever built those had lots of time and creativity, because we wouldn't have had anything to sit on otherwise.

The wildflowers dotted the ground in all colors.  I love seeing flowers in bloom at this time of year when it is so hot out.  I am surprised that they still come out, but I'm sure glad they do. 

There wasn't a trail, so we just had to follow our noses.  No trail = less people = more pristine camping for me.  So I won't complain that we were unsure where we were going for half the time. The scenery was well worth it!

Hiking back down the next day.  What a great trip!