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December Turns
Jason Mullins rides a backcountry line in mid-December.
After a pretty snowy November, we've been in a mostly dry spell this December here in southwest Colorado. But, with cold temps and the low-angle December sun, there's still preserved powder out there up high and/or in shady areas. It's just a matter of finding it!
Frosty on the Mesa
Frosty aspens backlit by the morning sun on Grand Mesa - December.
Frosty aspens on a frigid December morning on Grand Mesa.
Yesterday morning Claudia and I woke bright and early for a day of skiing/snowboarding at Powderhorn Mountain above Grand Junction. The drive from Ridgway took us up over the top of Grand Mesa, where the aspens were beautifully frosted by a recent snowstorm and frigid temps. Despite my rabid eagerness to get on the slopes asap, I just had to pull over at one point and snap some pics of the frosted aspens backlit in the early morning sun. Glorious!
Better than Expected
Vijay skis a wide open line in early December.
It's been nearly a week of sun since the last big snowstorm, so I didn't have high hopes for the snow quality today on my second splitboard outing of the season so far. But Vijay and I ended up finding smooth, firm powder to open up some high speed carves! Way better line than I expected today! Gotta love that. 🤙
Thanksgiving Winter Camp
Winter camping in the mountains above Ouray, Colorado.
Happy Thanksgiving! Lately I've been super antsy to get outside for a little adventure, so yesterday morning I spontaneously decided to go for a winter camp! I wasn't packed and ready to go until after noon, so I couldn't do anything too ambitious or distant. I headed to a place not far from Ouray where I knew that a short ~1 mile, 400 vertical foot hike up from the trailhead would take me to a nice meadow with views of towering peaks across the valley.
Part of my motivation for this quick winter camp was to test out some new winter gear I've acquired recently. With temps dropping as low as 5º F (-15º C) this night was a good test, and I was pleased that I was toasty warm all night long. My goal is to have my kit so dialed that winter camping is not just borderline survival, but actually comfortable! So far so good. If you're interested I've written in more depth about my winter backpacking gear here.
November Atmospheric River
Fresh snow blankets the Sneffels Range in the midst of a powerful November storm.
Colorado (and much of the western U.S.) is in the midst of an "atmospheric river" winter storm that has dumped 2-3 feet of snow across Colorado so far. This morning Mount Sneffels made an appearance during a brief break in the storm.
Onset of Winter
Misty atmosphere as an autumn snowstorm clears off of the Sneffels Range - October.
A deer in front of the Sneffels Range - October.
The sage and Sneffels Range frosted with fresh snowfall on a chilly November morning.
Sneffels with a cloud cap during the last light of November.
The warm and dry Indian summer here in the San Juan Mountains came to an abrupt end in mid-October with a big snowfall in the high peaks. Then so far in November there's been a series of prolonged snow storms and it finally feels like winter has settled in.
Ruby Horsethief
Paddling on the Colorado River near the mouth of Mee Canyon in western Colorado.
Rafting on the Colorado River near the mouth of Mee Canyon in western Colorado.
At the end of September my buddy Dave and his friend Eric invited Claudia and I to join them on a two-day rafting trip down the mellow "Ruby Horsethief" stretch of the Colorado River from Loma, Colorado (near Grand Junction) to Westwater just over the Utah border. Dave planned the entire trip so Claudia and I just had to show up with our ducky (an inflatable canoe) - nice!
We got lucky with perfect weather and no wind, so for the most part we could just kick back, sip beer, and enjoy the views while the lazy river took us down through the canyons. It was cool to float past Mee and Knowles Canyons, which I just backpacked through this last April. Floating is a much more chill way to travel through this canyon country, that's for sure!
Taos Pueblo
Ominous thunderclouds build over Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The buildings were likely constructed between 1000-1450 A.D. and are still inhabited today by about 150 Tiwa speaking Puebloan people.
Interestingly, the buildings originally had few windows and no standard doorways; access to rooms was through square holes in the roof that the people reached by climbing long, wooden ladders. In case of an attack, outside ladders could easily be pulled up. You can read more about the Taos Pueblo here and here.
After our 5-day trek in the Sangre de Cristos, we drove down to the southern Sangres in New Mexico to spend three days relaxing in the town of Taos. The highlights were visiting the fascinating Taos Pueblo, eating delicious New Mexican food (including the best chili relleno I've ever had at Antonio's), and strolling around browsing the various art galleries and stores. Always a nice place to visit!
August Dusting on Sneffels
A fresh dusting of snow on Mount Sneffels in late August.
Yesterday we had some more thunderstorms roll through during the afternoon, and when it started clearing up right before sunset there was a brilliant double rainbow over town and fresh snow on Sneffels! In recent weeks I've seen the Sneffels Range briefly covered in hail several times after thunderstorms, but this was the first actual snow up there this summer (you can tell by the way it's caked onto the steep rock faces where hail would just slide off). The temps have been cooling off lately and autumn feels like it's right around the corner!
Bambi in the Sage
A deer fawn in the sagebrush (it's mother is nearby in the background).
What a cutie!