Winter slow coming

[Terry Hubbard]

So far winter in the San Juans is slow so far this year. This could be good/bad for next summer. But, winter is far from over.......:biggrin:
Heavy snows mean slower opening trails......bad.
Heavy snows mean plenty of run-off for the waterfalls and farmers......good.
Light snows mean trail open sooner.......good.
Light snows means early summer fire bans......bad.

I'm SURE there will be a lot more white stuff. Here are some pics of Ouray and surrounding area.

Ouray Rotary Park, just north of town.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/je4wdep/winter%202008/DSC03665.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/je4wdep/winter%202008/DSC03666.jpg

The ice-climbing park at Box Canyon Falls. With the temps staying above freezing during the day, the event in January may be in trouble. There is usually deep blue ice hanging. In the pics, the rock face is barely covered.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/je4wdep/winter%202008/DSC03667.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/je4wdep/winter%202008/DSC03668.jpg

Looking south towards Engineer Pass trailhead from Hwy. 550.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/je4wdep/winter%202008/DSC03669.jpg

Engineer Pass trailhead on Hwy. 550. The snow looks to be about 6-8 inches deep.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/je4wdep/winter%202008/DSC03672.jpg

Headed back home through Ouray and spotted deer in the yards downtown. We couldn't get their attention because they were watching another buck intruding into their territory.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/je4wdep/winter%202008/DSC03674.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/je4wdep/winter%202008/DSC03676.jpg

Played in the snow a little (doing doughnuts) and headed home before dark.