A sudden and unexpected snowstorm hit Boulder on Tuesday, dumping nearly a foot of snow on the city, mucking up traffic and prompting school closures across the county.

 

The city of Boulder officially recorded 11.3 inches of snow for the duration of the storm…and brings the total snowfall in Boulder during December this year to 14 inches.

Running season over, marathon count holiday-stalled at 49: 2013 (2), 2014 (15), 2015 (32).  Long year, lotta travel.

Plans for my first weekend off?  Snowshoe hike, nothing like a snow day 🙂  BIG SNOW four days prior – good reason for my first trailhead adventure with the Jeep.  Whole lotta sunshine, gonna be a great day for a December shoe-hike.

Loaded up Ro & headed west thru Boulder Canyon to Nederland, center-town right, 5 minutes+ past Eldora Ski Resort – kicked into 4WD & plowed UP County Road 130 to Hessie Trailhead.  No stopping ‘til we reached the ranger road closure 2 miles down.

Today’s hike destination: Lost Lake, a 3.6-mile out & back trail.

Super easy summer hike, ridiculously crowded camping.  Add a couple feet of snow?  Just ‘bout perfect.  My shoes are older…probably due for a new pair – but Ro doesn’t care.  Off leash & snow, combo my dog lives for.

Surrounded by pine & heavy snow – slight elevation climb 9,000 to 9,800ft – reached Lost Lake in just over an hour.  Highlight: listening to the popping, cracking ice – water moving under the lake surface, heating/shifting in the high altitude sun.  Twice Ro spooked, barked, charged his invisible predator.  LAKE MONSTER!!  LOL>

Tick, tick, tick…only 6 days ’til Christmas.  Nothing like a snow hike to get ya in the mood 🙂