The first full day of summer started with liquid sunshine of sorts in Breckenridge, Colorado. It’s June 22nd and it snowed at 9600 feet. That’s unusual this time of year even by Colorado standards. This June has been anything but normal with cooler temperatures and snow several times this month as an incredible snow season seems to continue right on into summer. Breckenridge Ski Resort got 458″ of snow and the ski season lasted until June 9th. 458″ of snow equals just over 45″ of rain. With the cooler temperatures so far this month, snowmelt has been slow. But as the temperatures warm up that will pick up. It means rafting season which traditionally peaks late June to July 4th could be stellar well into August. Above 11,000 feet there is still tons of snow. So traditional 14er (14,000 foot peaks) season of late July into August is shifting to August into September. Wildflowers should be outstanding this summer becuase of the heavy snow. They generally peak late July into early August. I’m thinking we’ll have amazing wildflowers well into August and maybe well into September.
It’s the 160th anniversary of the Gold Rush in Colorado. So guess we struck liquid gold in this historic mining town this morning.
I headed up Boreas Pass about 6:30am to watch the snow fall.
On the way back into town I stopped at Aspen Alley next to Walker Ranch, a spot which is one of my favorites to hike in the fall.
As I walked downtown the snow came down hard again for a few minutes, but as I walked out from getting a latte a Clint’s Bakery and Cafe, the sun started shining. It was beautiful by the Blue River.
I ended my snow fun this morning about 8am taking in the breathtaking view from the rooftop pool at the Residence Inn by Marriott Breckenridge.
What a view from Residence Inn by Marriott Breckenridge
I’m in town for the Summer Solstice Weather Conference. Guess you get some meteorologists and climate experts in town and you’re in for some crazy weather. Here’s the thunder graupel I caught last night with my buddy Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel and a few others.
