The record snowfall this winter has made access to the high country here in the San Juan Mountains rather difficult this summer.

I was finally able to break free from the snow and participate in a rare event where the grip of winter starts to give way to the summer flowers.  
Where ever a patch of alpine tundra was exposed, wildflowers are already well on their way towards taking this beautiful land over.

It looks more like Alaska up there than Colorado.  The snow fields are massive, interspersed with south facing open fields already teaming with life.  I was blessed to witness this with the added bonus of a gorgeous sunset that kept on giving. A half hour after sunset it actually became brighter with the red luminous light saturating the snow reflecting off the intense red clouds.

Looks like we are off to a great start this season…