For anyone who's curious, I just got back down from sunset up on Shrine Ridge. The majority of the hike (the north facing slope facing the Gore Range) is very poor. I can't decide if the flowers are a ways out yet or just aren't going to happen this year. There are still big patches of snow at the top and a few smaller ones at lower elevations. There are a few patches of paintbrush here and there but not the usual covering. BUT... hike to the ridge, and the south facing slopes looking towards Holy Cross is the best I've seen it in years. If you're looking for lupine or paintbrush get up to the ridge.
As a side note... With the record snowfall we had up here this year the couloirs on Holy Cross are still well defined, much more so then most years this late in the season.
Sunset was almost really really good, but a heavy storm moved in over the entire northern Sawatch Range about 30 minutes before sunset.
Todd, haha yeah I will, just haven't even taken the card out of my camera yet, feeling lazy tonight!
Posted by Jack Garrett on July 31, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Hmmm, I was gonna go there Tuesday...I was hoping for some intimate paintbrush shots down low but also want a good sunset on the ridge so maybe I'll go anyway since the ridge sounds really good.
I was up on Shrine Pass as well yesterday. Came from the Minturn side. The flowers in the meadows to the west of the pass are very good compared to typical years. Lots of arnica and sego lilies in the meadows. Like Nate I noticed that the flowers seemed thinner near the top of the pass than they looked this time last year and likewise I couldn't tell if they were running late or just not happening.
I have a good excuse for no photos. I'm still in the process of moving and haven't seen my home PC in months.
I cant seem to figure it out so here's a link... the sun looked positioned perfectly to slip under that gap in the clouds to the west and I was hoping for a really dramatic sunset. The rain you can see in the distance, however, moved over that gap right at sunset. I still like the moody skies.. maybe a little blue-cast though from all the low clouds..
I this year (you can see off in the distance after the big clearing, that there are just a few pine beetle killed trees up there. I would suggest getting up there as soon as possible with that fact in mind. Living in Summit County, I've had a lot of experience with seeing an entire forest go from a few dead trees to an entire dead forest.
I like the stormy light. Too bad you didn't get the sunset breakthrough.
I was on the ridge in the morning and left around 2 PM. On the way up I was beginning to wonder if I'd see ANY flowers. The south slopes were definitely worth the trip !!!!
On the way back I took the alternate trail past the cabins. Those north facing open meadows had lots of paintbrush and lupines.
Thanks so much for the update, and can't wait for some images posted.
Posted by Bob Falcone on August 2, 2011 at 12:46 PM
I drove up Shrine Pass from the top of Vail Pass yesterday, and saw LOTS of wildflowers. We didn't go more than a mile past the large trailhead parking lot, but even then we saw plenty of paintbrush and columbines along the creek that runs next to the road. From the trailhead lot and towards Vail Pass there are plenty of wildflowers in bloom. We would have gone further up the pass, but made this side trip on the way to Moab, so didn't linger too long.
I'm not sure if Shrine Ridge and Shrine Pass are the same thing, but just my 2 cents worth.
This isn't great picture, but should give an idea of what things are like up there.
@ Bob... pretty crazy how fast stuff can bloom, because I saw almost no paintbrush in that area when I posted my report. Good to hear the lower elevations are blooming. And fyi Shrine Ridge and Shrine Pass are different... You probably saw a dirt parking lot with a bathroom early on the shrine pass road, that's the trailhead that takes you to Shrine Ridge. It's definitely worth the short hike if you're ever in the area. You get incredible 360 views of the Sawatch, Gore and Ten mile ranges from up there.
Discussion
10 repliesAs a side note... With the record snowfall we had up here this year the couloirs on Holy Cross are still well defined, much more so then most years this late in the season.
Sunset was almost really really good, but a heavy storm moved in over the entire northern Sawatch Range about 30 minutes before sunset.
I have a good excuse for no photos. I'm still in the process of moving and haven't seen my home PC in months.
I this year (you can see off in the distance after the big clearing, that there are just a few pine beetle killed trees up there. I would suggest getting up there as soon as possible with that fact in mind. Living in Summit County, I've had a lot of experience with seeing an entire forest go from a few dead trees to an entire dead forest.
http://www.natezeman.com/photo/photo-1093/
I was on the ridge in the morning and left around 2 PM. On the way up I was beginning to wonder if I'd see ANY flowers. The south slopes were definitely worth the trip !!!!
On the way back I took the alternate trail past the cabins. Those north facing open meadows had lots of paintbrush and lupines.
I'm not sure if Shrine Ridge and Shrine Pass are the same thing, but just my 2 cents worth.
This isn't great picture, but should give an idea of what things are like up there.