Rocky Mountains - 2011

Reports indicated this past winter's snowfall was above average, and the cool spring temperatures were making the melting go slower than normal.   Sure enough, while the snow is mostly gone already, there is evidence that the meltwater was greater than in recent years. 

For example, the trail to Mills Lake (one of my top five favorite lakes to hike to) features two footbridges across a fairly-heavy-flowing stream.  Rangers reported that both bridges have been washed out completely, and that trail won't be open until August.

Another trail that is still snowed in, is the trail to Emerald Lake.  The trail is open to Nymph Lake and Dream Lake, but past Dream Lake, they said the trail is still slushy.  In past years, there has always been a few ice fields to cross, covering about 10% of the trail, but this year's reports say about 30% of the trail is still under snowbank. 

Surprisingly, the trail to the Loch is open.  In most years past, this trail was still iced over when I've been in the park in June, although last year for the very first time, I was able to make it up past the Loch up as far as Timberline Falls.  This year, surprisingly, the trail is supposed to be open again like last year.  My altitude sickness kept me from going this far, but I met plenty of people coming back from the Lock and their shoes weren't even muddy.

All of my other favorite trails are open, with about 5% intermittent snowbanks, water puddles, etc., just like normal.     You can see by comparing the pictures I took today (below)  with those from past years that the park is still as beautiful as it always is.

The weather today was gorgeous.  High was around 69, clear blue sky, lots of sunshine.  Glad I was wearing a short sleeve shirt.  And I'm ding-dang glad I was wearing SPF 90, too.

Click on the pics for the larger version.