Yankee Boy Basin: Looking pretty darn good. Lots and lots of columbines. Still plenty of room for improvement. Paintbrush, marsh marigold (see photo in ES&S), snow buttercup, larkspur(?), bistort and some others currently blooming.
Porphyry Basin: Not bad but will much better in a couple weeks. Surprisingly few blooms.
Mt. Sneffels: Saddle still snow covered and gully full of snow. We had to turn around at saddle as thunder and ominous clouds were overhead.
California/Hurricane Passes: Roads in good condition, more snow than anywhere else on road up California from Animas Forks side. Some very nice wildflower gardens lower before you get to the switchbacks. Tundra around creek already brown but rest is bright green.
Corkscrew: Shows evidence of some major avalanches. Wildflowers not so good yet. Road in good condition.
We weren't able to make it into Ice Lakes Basin on this trip (dammit!). We drove the road past the South Mineral CG and found some really nice patches of wildflowers as you start to ascend above the trees. Weather was nasty, spitting rain and bolts of lightning so we chose not to do the hike. I know, I know...wussies!
Hope this helps ya'll with your planning. I would have attached a photo of the columbines in YBB but the system will only allow 1 photo every 24 hours. Sorry...
Posted by Kalin Wilson on July 13, 2007 at 3:09 PM
Thanks for the second report, Bret! Sounds like you had a fun trip. I'm really looking forward to next week!
Great pic on ES&S! I bet you got plenty more. BTW, you can always post pics in replies... a little workaround
Could be either Bret. Going to American and Yankee Basins. I have never been caught in a T-storm in the mountains - yet - but I am sure it happens so any advice would be appreciated.
Posted by Bob Falcone on July 15, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Very nice shot!
Looking forward to a trip to Crested Butte next weekend...
Discussion
10 repliesPorphyry Basin: Not bad but will much better in a couple weeks. Surprisingly few blooms.
Mt. Sneffels: Saddle still snow covered and gully full of snow. We had to turn around at saddle as thunder and ominous clouds were overhead.
California/Hurricane Passes: Roads in good condition, more snow than anywhere else on road up California from Animas Forks side. Some very nice wildflower gardens lower before you get to the switchbacks. Tundra around creek already brown but rest is bright green.
Corkscrew: Shows evidence of some major avalanches. Wildflowers not so good yet. Road in good condition.
We weren't able to make it into Ice Lakes Basin on this trip (dammit!). We drove the road past the South Mineral CG and found some really nice patches of wildflowers as you start to ascend above the trees. Weather was nasty, spitting rain and bolts of lightning so we chose not to do the hike. I know, I know...wussies!
Hope this helps ya'll with your planning. I would have attached a photo of the columbines in YBB but the system will only allow 1 photo every 24 hours. Sorry...
Great pic on ES&S! I bet you got plenty more. BTW, you can always post pics in replies... a little workaround
John
Looking forward to a trip to Crested Butte next weekend...