Dream Lake Conditions

I woke up in the desert this morning as it began raining on me about 5am. I had been dreaming of an amazing sunrise just down the road at Deadhorse Point, but the storm clouds were thick and heavy. I jumped in the car and headed home driving through the storm the entire way back to Estes. When I got home I ran up to Dream Lake to see what conditions were like. I know that many have been asking whether the lake was still partially open or whether it had frozen solid. Here is a shot taken this afternoon in less than ideal conditions. The water seen here is all open and not frozen.

It probably opened up a little more last week, when it hit 81 degrees down here in the sticks, and then sealed right back up over the last several miserable days.

Thanks for the update. Do you (or anyone else) know the conditions of the lower elevation lakes, like Bear, Sprague, or Lily? Are they partially frozen and partially open?

Grant

Erik:

Beautiful, moody image but I had to do a double-take on the paragraph below it. What was THE Rocky Mountain National Park photographer doing so far from home? It sounds like you found youself on the Plateau. How did a mountain man like you end up in canyon country? Made a wrong turn and just kept going?

Wow, some day Erik. Look forward to seeing your desert work!

Paul

Middle of last week, Bear Lake was frozen over & covered with snow except for a small opening at the corner nearest the parking lot. Sprague Lake was almost entirely thawed out.

Here's one from the same spot as Erik's, the week before last:

Wow Tony,

You nailed it!

I love the sky and the colors in this shot. Was this with your 5D or 4x5?

It looks like persistence paid off. I can imagine that this thawing process continuing with more beautiful mornings like this to come. Just more to look forward to after these storms pass.

Thanks for sharing this shot!

Great shots guys! it will be interesting to see how things look after friday's big storm. I'm torn between staying close to home for some potential blizzard pics and heading east for the possible tornado-fest.

Looks like things are getting interesting up there. With more snow in the forecast, it may make for some spectucular conditions if the water stays open.

Let me see if I understand this correctly, you woke up very early, drove 5+ plus hours in a storm and still had the mojo to head up to Dream lake, you sir, are my new hero. I also love the Utah pics and of course this one as well.

Let me see if I understand this correctly, you woke up very early, drove 5+ plus hours in a storm and still had the mojo to head up to Dream lake, you sir, are my new hero. I also love the Utah pics and of course this one as well.

Eric, is that a couple of hikers that I see in the distance (ready to head on up Dragon Tail Colouir?). I've been meaning to hike Dragon Tail, but haven't had the time.

Scott, they are simply tourists walking down from Emerald Lake, though I hear that now is a good time to get up Dragon's Tail.

Joseph, you need to raise your standards for choosing heroes.