Spring in Telluride: Mud and So Much More

I like showing a different view of Telluride each season by changing out my Bonjour Telluride banner.  But I’m sorry I won’t be presenting you with any spring shots this year.  The weather has been particularly gloomy and the reprieves have been as unpredictable and infrequent as wet days in the dessert (which is by the way only 2 1/2 hours away in Moab, Utah).  We’ve had periods of rain, hail and even snow, magnificent displays of weather that have sometimes been thankfully interspersed with radiant rays of sunshine and the occasional rainbow.  I haven’t been fast enough with the camera though to capture all this—or more precisely me in this environment—for the periods of luminosity have been quickly trailed by more inclement weather, steely grey skies and great gusts of wind.

Today has so far started out brilliantly sunny yet who knows how long that will last.  The peaks have been dusted with freshly fallen snow the past few days, a coating of confectioner’s sugar on our monolithic mountains.  All is green and lush and the mountain streams and rivers are running hard and fast.  There’s no talk of drought or fires this year.  These spring soakings have preceded our usual monsoons of July and August which many of us hope means an especially warm and sunny summer.  I’m sure the wildflowers will be good this year, too.

I’m grateful I’ve adapted so well to this mountain climate.  My closet is full year-round with a supply of fleeces, base layers, wool socks, hats, scarves and gloves.  My winter ski jackets are easily donned in the summer, especially at night after a blazing hot day when temperatures typically plunge in our super dry climate.  My bathing suit has so far only been pulled out for use in the neighboring hot springs.  This being the mountains, I know, however, how quickly all that can change.  We’re sure to have some blistering days yet.

Our seasons are marked by seemingly endless variations of weather created by our high elevation (8,500 to 9,500 feet for the most part) and strong southerly location (at least in comparison to my native New York).  The lilacs and tulips are just blooming here now, most irises and roses won’t come out until July and many people haven’t dared to plant their summer flowers yet out of fear they’ll be nipped by a lingering frost.  

Some say winter is long and summer is short in the Rockies.  The brightness of our winters, however, easily carries me through our long snowy season that is perhaps more short-lived elsewhere.  In truth, I get excited when I see the peaks emerge from the clouds, snow-capped in clean whiteness, even if it’s mid June.  Telluride is among the finest of mountain towns in the world and here you have to marvel at the magic of the weather, even if it means not being always able to capture them in a Kodak moment or two.

To find out all that’s happening right now in Telluride and in the upcoming months, check out the Telluride Tourism Board.  You may even see some nice images of our ever-changing sky.