Gotta love spring camping in the Rockies

[Dennis C]

I’m finally picking up my Airstream tomorrow from the dealer after 2-1/2 months waiting for parts and service. This is the final repair from the double tire blowout we had last fall. We’ve got a nice little 5 day trip planned fairly close to home in Colorado. It was supposed to be a relaxing trip for some mountain hiking and spring fly fishing. As I look out the window of my house this evening, we’ve got about 4 inches of fresh snow on the ground and it’s coming down like a blizzard. The campground is at a slightly higher elevation and it could have even more snow. This trip is looking more like playing board games, watching DVDs, and reading a book inside the Airstream. No worries. It’s all good. We picked up the original Top Gun on BluRay disc so we can get a refresher before seeing the new one.

I love springtime in the Rockies…

[Bcc75]

We are headed to Bozeman, MT in 3 weeks (on an airplane, not the airstream unfortunately). We try to go every summer for fly fishing and just general vacation because we love the area so much this time of year. 2 years ago on June 16, we stayed in Big Sky, MT and got 8" of snow in one night. In 2 days it was gone and 70 degrees. I'm fine with these late snows because it means a later start to the dry season. Last year you guys really had it rough out there. Praying it won't repeat this year.
Going to see new Top Gun this weekend. Can't wait. Everyone I've talked to that's seen it says hands down best movie that's come out in years. If you have Imax theaters in your area, go to that. Makes it it even better.

[field & stream]

We camped last week at 8,200’ and 70 degrees. The week before, it was 89 at 4:00 in the afternoon and then dropped 40 degrees in the next three hours!

Headed out again next week ……… who knows?

[Dennis C]

The roads are clear and the ambient temperature is already above freezing, so I’m not too worried about the weather. I agree that the moisture is a great thing for Colorado headed into summer months.

Rain or shine (or snow), there’s always something special about the first trip of the year in the Airstream. I’m looking forward to getting out there. Hopefully I’ll still get a little bit of fly fishing time this week.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Come up to Alaska, we've actually seen temps in the 70's . Yes if you get above 4,000 feet there's still a lot of snow around.

Bob

[Dennis C]

Our current home sits at about 7.250 feet of elevation. Our new home that’s under construction is right at 8,600 feet. So we’re kinda used to it.

[SouthForkAS]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

... We picked up the original Top Gun on BluRay disc so we can get a refresher before seeing the new one.

I love springtime in the Rockies…

Just saw it on the streamers for same reason. Bailed halfway. Not encouraging. Have a plan B (and I love flying!)

[mdickinson]

Yes, we always have to be ready for the surprise snow storm. We were supposed to camp last weekend and couldn't go because of truck issues. They had several inches of snow - but camping in the snow is beautiful!

[Gene]

I'm well acquainted with Colorado snow. When we lived in Evergreen at 7,900', June snows were common every few years. The latest one I remember around 1990 was one on the first day of summer. We had always put out flowers on the deck and watched 2+" of snow fall on them. They survived, snow melted in a few hours.

Having lived at 7,000 to 9,000' during my years in Evergreen, when you get up to 9,000', summer lasts all of July 4th and snow comes 10 months (or more) a year. Friends living at 10,000' hardly saw much summer. Snow often fell in feet, not inches at any elevation. Winter was an adventure and we enjoyed the weather there—beautiful snow scenes, warm days, clear skies, wonderful air, but now much older, I don't think it would be that enjoyable. We had 60" last winter here above Grand Junction and it seemed like a lot, but we used to get 2 or 3 times as much in Evergreen. When people from California or Texas arrived and decided to live in the mountains, they didn't understand what they were getting into.

[2012FB]

At Tiger Run in Breckenridge this week. Yes, I left the awnings out Sunday night. No big deal though. Pushed up and swept off the snow.

[dbj216]

We had our 3rd snow storm this May last night. The heavy wet snow is a blessing; but gee, I'm pulling the vintage Overlander 27' tomorrow all the way to southwest Colorado down highway 285. There is a vintage Airstream rally there. I'm hoping the road will be clear and dry. The temps are going up.

Ah yes, spring in the mountains. Tiger Run is a very nice luxury RV park. We spent several nights there some years ago.

David

[Life is a Highway]

I get updates from my son in the Springs. one day yard work the next called in the plow runways at the base for 24 hrs. Wet heavy stuff. I watch it from the security cams here in Florida.

Originally Posted by Dennis C

I’m finally picking up my Airstream tomorrow from the dealer after 2-1/2 months waiting for parts and service. This is the final repair from the double tire blowout we had last fall. We’ve got a nice little 5 day trip planned fairly close to home in Colorado. It was supposed to be a relaxing trip for some mountain hiking and spring fly fishing. As I look out the window of my house this evening, we’ve got about 4 inches of fresh snow on the ground and it’s coming down like a blizzard. The campground is at a slightly higher elevation and it could have even more snow. This trip is looking more like playing board games, watching DVDs, and reading a book inside the Airstream. No worries. It’s all good. We picked up the original Top Gun on BluRay disc so we can get a refresher before seeing the new one.

I love springtime in the Rockies…

[Dennis C]

Colorado weather forecasters are not to be trusted.

We’ve had a great time with spectacular weather. It has been in the mid 30s at night with dry, sunny days in the mid 60s. We did some hiking, caught some nice brown trout in the South Platte River, and relaxed. It has been an awesome trip.

This was our first trip with two additional 90W solar panels installed on the roof, bringing our total to 360W. What a difference that made! The system now easily keeps up with our average demands when camping off the grid, leaving our batteries fully charged at the end of the day.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Dennis C

Colorado weather forecasters are not to be trusted.

Colorado weather is not to be trusted. I have long thought they send the worst forecasters to Grand Junction, but the topography of the the area does make things quite strange here. When we lived in Evergreen, we assumed the worst and were usually right.

The photos look great. Colorado weather may be a challenge, but the scenery is worth it.