A Somewhat Belated Colorado Christmas

Contrary to December 2015, this year was great winter weather in Anchorage. There was just enough snow to ski in town, the weather was mostly sunny, and it was cold. We were even able to access our favorite christmas tree harvesting spot without wearing rubber boots. Great weather for playing outside while visiting friends.

I spent some time in Estes Park visiting my family after Christmas. It was windier than normal, or so the locals told me, but the temperatures were warm so it was not unbearable. The crowds at Rocky Mountain were unbelievable! But it shouldn't be a surprise that so many people want to get out to enjoy such a beautiful place. 

One thing I like about winter in RMNP is that it is relatively easy to get off the beaten path, if you are willing to break trail in snowshoes. 

A spruce cone.

Hallets Peak.

Snow sculptures abound.

Deep drifts on the way up to Emerald Lake.

Hallet's above Emerald Lake.

Rock, paper, scissors - tree?

A coneflower.

The ridge above the trail to Haiyaha has great slopes for backcountry skiing/snowboarding.

Lake Haiyaha can be difficult to hike to in winter because the trail is often buried by drifting snow, but the jumble of giant boulders and great view of Hallets and Otis is well worth the adventure!

What you can't tell from this picture is the hellacious wind.

Erupting boulder.

The signs are often buried by deep snow, so bring a map!

Gas bubbles encased in ice give a feeling of vertigo. Or deep space.

This dead pair of trees looked naked and cold up by Mills Lake.

A jagged lightning seam on an old pine.

The orange lichens are very abundant on rocks and trees.

The summer trail to the Loch is drifted over by big snows, and as a result the winter trail goes straight up a narrow gully. Looked like a great skiing opportunity.

The Loch, with impending snow on the divide.

And then it started to snow. And it did not stop snowing for three days. When the sun finally came out, much of the Colorado Rockies had about two feet of fresh powder. Awesome.

I never did see the mountain in my three days of snowboarding. But the trees are nice...

Waiting for the bus!

Drifted snow was already accumulated on our hats by midmorning.

It was hard to leave Colorado when it finally cleared after so many days of fierce wind and snow. But when I could see Alaska through the airplane window, I was happy to be back. 

I am guessing this is somewhere over Prince William Sound.

I missed that gentle winter light! The cold temperatures have formed ice pans in Turnagain Arm.