Today with seven women, I hiked to Twin Lakes, 8.6 miles with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. The women felt this was a lesser lake, not up to the standards of our favorite high alpine lakes. "I think it's beautiful," I said. It was a fun group.

Wet, icy and slippery maple leaves were underfoot. Mud was frozen and icy. None of us brought micro-spikes since there was no snow. We needed better traction.

Descending, I stepped up onto a slanted icy rock and slid backward. Landed on my butt and immediately slid sideways into a hole. Burst into laughter, unhurt. It was comical. "Will someone please pull me up?" I asked, extending gloved hands. They did. "You sure are a good sport about it!" the women said.

With daylight saving time, it got dark early. At dusk, I switched on a headlamp as we descended into shady woods. Most of my hiking falls and injuries have happened when I trip while descending a steep trail in dimming light. Then I put on my headlamp.

At the cars, I handed out jars of Cranberry-Apple Chutney I made.

"Do you have a photo of your daughter in her wedding dress?" I asked Gro when we got down. She got snippy. "Where were you two weeks ago when I was showing it around?"

"In a coma, obviously," I replied. The ladies burst into laughter.

The best photos were taken in the afternoon:

1. Upper Twin Lake

2. Lower Twin Lake largely dries up in the hot summer.

3. Right- Mt. David.

4. Linda took this gorgeous photo while descending. Lower Twin Lake.