Rocky Mountain 'Balboa' gaves me the 'One Two' Punch!

Plan A was to meet Erik S and Brent D. at Bear Lake at 5:30 am for a morning hike up to Dream and possibly Haiyaha Lake. I made great time with clear roads and skys from the Springs to the Park (3 hrs). Then I noticed some clouds around the peaks and I thought Cool, possible nice alpen glow! Well those clouds turned into one of the nastiest, windiest storms I have experienced in the Park. The higher I went in my 'two wheel drive' car the deeper the snow got. I finally arrived at the Galcier Gorge area and realized I could go no further. So I tried to pull into the lot and instantly got stuck! Erik came driving up right behind and fortunately helped me get out. Thanks Erik!

He offered to give me a ride to the top. But unfortunately I didn't have snow shoes. So I decided it was time for Plan B. While waiting in Moraine Park for sunrise I realized the clouds were not going to break so I made a quick end run toward Longs Pond on Hwy 7. Here are a few shots I got there:

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/247527238-XL.jpg
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/247541654-XL.jpg

Alas, Longs never emerged for sunrise. But I like the color of the clouds none the less. While not the greatest of shots, at least I didn't feel completely skunked.

I wonder if Erik or Brent mananged to pull something out of the hat in all the crazy weather? If so guys please do post! Next time I go up there in the Winter I will definately have snow shoes - lesson learned!

Nice shots. I really like the colors in the clouds.

I probably passed you in the park, Derek. Things were looking so bad that I parked the car in Moraine Park and took a nap. Sorry your long trip was a bust. At least I only have a 30 minute drive to RMNP.
FWIW, tomorrow is looking better.

The second shot with the moon is quite cool! It sure does look windy.

Thanks Dan. The all I really needed was for the Peak to pop out to really complete those shots. Oh well. I'll be back!

Paul, I think I may have seen you in the Moraine Park lot down by the river. There was another car parked there waiting. I figured it was some other crazy photographer or hiker.
I was thinking that as soon at it clears it is going to be sweet! I was hoping to see some of those Dream Lakes frozen waves like you caught last December. Wow, I wish I was only 30 minuted away! I almost accepted a position in Longmont for that specific reason.

Todd,

It was 'extremely' windy even for RMNP which is no stranger to wind. It was the kind of wind that could hold you up if you lean into it or cause white out conditions on the road in an instant.

Those two shots were between gusts. Here is one which give a little better picture of what it was like:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/photos/247648623-XL.jpg

Derek, sorry you missed the fun. My friend and I hiked up to Haiyaha through the snow. The wind wasn't too bad once we were in the trees, but the snow was fresh and deep. Most of the time it was just about 2 feet deep but at times it was much, much deeper. It took us nearly 4 hours to get to Haiyaha breaking trail and avoiding avalanche areas. Didn't get any sunrise, but it was a winter wonderland. We waited around the lake for a couple of hours but Brent didn't show up, he and his party were running behind schedule. He called me when he got back and said he had a great time too. Wish you could have joined us for a spectacular day in the mountains.

Here's a couple shots from this morning. I haven't had a chance to process many of them yet.
http://morninglight.us/forum/08/0126.jpg
http://morninglight.us/forum/08/0126b.jpg
http://morninglight.us/forum/08/0126c.jpg
http://morninglight.us/forum/08/0126d.jpg
http://morninglight.us/forum/08/0126e.jpg

Nice shots Eric!

Ken

Sounds like some crazy weather. At least you made something out of it Derek.

Erik, like I told you at the shindig...you're an animal! I really like that first shot. Your friend really stands out in that winter landscape. It's a neat man against nature type shot.

Erik,

Thanks for sharing those shots! I really wanted to see what it looked like. Love the ice photos. That shot of your friend Smudge is classic! What a day to break trail!

I bet it will look really cool up there soon as the storms starts to clear.

Have a great trip to the UK! I really look forward to seeing some of your shots once you return.

Uhhhh... yeah...glad I sat this one out Derek! But all day long I was thinking about what I was missing... It was really windy at the base of Mt Herman too so I did not go out this morning. We had a fantastic sunset tonight though! I was out shopping so did not have the 20D with me. I picked up a Huey and calibrated my monitor. I like your shot of the moon. Erik I love your ice shots also. Looks like it was tough going though!
John

Derek,

Sorry i couldn't make the trip with you and even though it sounds as though you met with a few challenges, you actually had a much better day than I did. Assigned to a story that was dependent on a flight from Afghanistan comming in, I was at the mercy oftail winds, head winds, break downs and ever changing arrival times. Needless to say, I spent the entire day doing the Army Hurry Up and Wait program. I managed however to get away just a little bit to shoot this.

Sounds like you guys had a great adventure. I'm glad you got something to show for it. Great shots!

Derek,

I can totally appreciate where you are coming from. I went up there last year in June and just got drizzled on. Especially painful since I left home at 2:30 or 3:00AM to catch sunrise. Rain/drizzle was not in the forecast when I left home that morning.

But you guys both got some great shots.

Mel-

Mel-

Just to see how deep the snow was on the excursion that Erik & Co. took check out these picks from the rmnp forum:
http://www.rmnpforums.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10801&st=285