We got to the Blue Lakes/Monte Cristo Gulch trailhead and suited up in our raingear due to a light drizzle, then canned that idea when we heard thunder.
We drove down to the bottom of the Blue Lakes, and the sky started clearing so we hiked up the south side of Blue Lake to the dam, then continued up the Monte Cristo Gulch trail as planned. After we reached the end of the trail, we heard thunder rolling over the mountain ridges so we high-tailed it down.
Just above tree line we got caught in a huge hailstorm, so we took cover under some scraggly bushes to wait out the storm. Not even 10 minutes later, back to sunshine and blue skies! Colorado hiking is always spectacular, and Monte Cristo Gulch certainly doesn’t disappoint!
If anybody is looking for a Monte Cristo Gulch GPX route/track to use for navigating the Blue Lakes/Monte Cristo Gulch trails, HERE is our recorded GPX file. Feel free to use or repost as you like!
A Storm Rolling In
Watching the clouds build from the bottom of the Blue Lakes Trail south of Breckenridge.
Looking Down
Colette stops for a view down at the Blue Lakes as we crest the Monte Cristo Gulch.
Outrun the Storm
We heard thunder rolling over the ridge, so we booked down the path out of Monte Cristo Gulch as fast as we could. 15 seconds after this photo we got caught in a huge hailstorm and ducked under some bushes to get out of the pelting hail.
After the Storm Passes
Within minutes of the hailstorm passing, everything is back to blue skies and sunshine.
Series of 5 Videos With Hilarious Commentary
Not exactly professional, but funny. “The dickens!”
