winter expands the wilderness

McKee Pond and the Raggeds

Though the official boundaries remain unchanged, the practical boundaries of the wilderness areas expand in the winter, as the areas accessible by vehicle contract.  Even venturing out by foot -- snowshoeing is one of my favorite winter activities -- you don't have to go far to feel like you're far out there, and you don't have to go far to get in trouble, either.

an explosion of autumn mountain color

Heavy spring rains created a fungus that caused many aspens to drop their leaves early this year, but there were enough of those that didn't to create some spectacular landscapes.  These were taken not in the wilderness (which is filled with hunters now), but in the Crystal River valley, between Redstone and Marble, Colorado.

McKee Pond, near Marble

click on this pond panorama to see it better

Huntsmans Ridge

What was my go-to hike last summer has not seen my feet until today.  The rain we've enjoyed encouraged many wildflowers and mushrooms, along with some biting flies (a rarity out here).

I took the ridge out to the overlook to capture some panoramas and HDRs.  You'll want to click on the panos to see them best.

click on image to see large

click on image to see large

Yule Creek

No matter how many photos I share of this place, it never gets spoiled.  Even last week, when there were a half dozen cars at the trailhead, we saw only one person on the trail (the trailhead serves two trails, and many take the less scenic one, for reasons that elude me).

a big ass panorama that you have to click to appreciate

old steam engine on the trail

May rains mean amazing June flowers

.....and deep lakes.

Our hike to Thomas Lakes was fantastic because of the wealth of wildflowers on the trail.  Then we reached the eastern lake and found it holding more water than I had ever seen.  Just a couple of years ago, it was about five feet lower.

This was the first time I remember seeing all-white columbines.

High Water in the High Country

The heavy precipitation in May recharged the snowpack and has the streams, creeks, and rivers running very high.

This past weekend's trip up Avalanche Creek -- normally just an early season hike, but one we opted to do after encountering much snow on an attempt to reach Savage Lakes -- showed us just how much water was rushing downhill now.  Both Hell Roaring and Avalanche Creeks were flowing at rates I've never seen before.

Hell Roaring Creek

Avalanche Creek

plenty of snow in the high country

The middle elevations (5000-8000 feet) received a lot of rain in May.  The higher elevations got a lot of snow.  After a relatively dry winter, things changed completely, and now the snowpack is much greater than average.

We took a hike up to Savage Lakes this past weekend.  Well, we tried to, anyway.  About three-quarters of the way up the trail, we were forced to turn back due to so much deep snow.

Colorado National Monument

I'll write more here later.  Right now I just wanted to post this panorama for the link.