You know you’re in the High Country when the thunder and lightning are BELOW you. Also, there’s a whiteout on the 11th of June up at the RMNP Alpine Visitors Center. But the sun did shine over at Milner Pass on the Continental Divide, so I thought I might like to hike the Ute trail between those two points, a little over 4 miles each way. But there are still vast snow fields obscuring the trail. Without snow shoes you post hole hip deep for most of it. No thank you.
I took no pictures myself yesterday (what’s the point when visibility is all of about 20 feet?) but I did manage to pull this from the rockynps Instagram site, see here and below.
The only thing predictable about weather in the Rockies is that it will likely change. This weekend and all next week, expect rain showers with thunder and lightning. Heavy rain is in the forecast for Sunday and Monday and snow is possible in locations above 10,000 ft. Take time to check the weather forecast before heading out on your next adventure and be prepared. The weather can change dramatically as you go up in elevation. A day can start warm and sunny, then by early afternoon rain showers or snow could roll in. 🌩️ If you hear thunder or see lightning, look around you and seek shelter in a lower-risk area, like at the base of a cluster of low elevation trees. 🌩️ There are no fully safe options to protect you from lightning when recreating in the outdoors.
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Near sundown after the storm passed (oh, and did I mention, a flash flood watch?) I saw a herd of 14 elk grazing in Upper Beaver Meadows. Another 40 or so were clustered near the entrance to the park. These are paid movie extras, I am convinced. I mean, c’mon: Right in front of the entrance sign?
Anyway, just another summer’s day in RMNP. Got my reservation in for the 4th of July. Here’s hoping the Ute trail will be clear by then. Barring a whiteout, it should be a piece of cake.