With the warm Colorado winter sun melting a lot of the snow on the south-facing slopes, I decided to hike up Storm Mountain to check out the damage from the Cameron Peak fire.
There is a "trail" coming right out of our property, but with snow and muddy ash there’s not much trail left.
The 2900 feet of elevation from the trailhead to the peak is a buttkicker when it’s snow and slop, but it’s nice to scope the area out and have something accessible out the back door.
While it’s sad to see the destruction from the wildfire, it is Mother Nature’s way of regeneration and there will be plenty of wildflowers and new growth to spring out of the ashes come summer.
Stark Sticks
The top of Storm Mountain is a burned wasteland.
Stretched Out
Snow and mountains stretching out to the horizon.
Snow Squall
A snow squall blankets the mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Two Track
I’m guessing that a Forest Service vehicle came through here.
Charcoal
The burned remains of trees litter the landscape.
On The Rocks
Huge rock outcroppings poke out of the burned forest.
Southern Exposure
Despite being February, the warm Colorado sun quickly clears off the snow from southern-facing rocks.
Storm Mountain Google Earth
Google Earth visual of the Storm Mountain hike from The Retreat.
