Karen and I hiked steeply to Lake Clara and Marion. Both lakes were frozen and covered with snow. Sticky snow built up on the bottom of our micro-spikes. We frequently stopped to scrape it off on rocks. Felt like a bear scratching its back against a tree.

Karen likes eating snow she pulls off evergreen branches. "The snow tastes of evergreen," she said. "Try it." I passed.

The trail was packed into ice by people. Descending, I veered into the woods to avoid a dangerously steep, icy corner.

Felt delighted to see bunny tracks. Carefully stepped downhill through fallen branches and downed trees to join the trail below the icy corner. The rabbit took the same path.

"I followed bunny tracks in the snow!" I called to Karen. It was enchanting.

At Lake Clara, the gray trees are Northern Larch. It is one of only two conifers in North America that drop their drop their needles in the fall. Each October for one week, their needles turn bright gold before falling. Called "Golden Week."

In Spring, the needles grow back in bright, almost iridescent green.

The colorful photo shows Lake Clara during Golden Week in October.