Two Days, Two Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park: Part II - Chiquita + the Rainbow

The day after hiking to Black Lake (see here), I returned to Rocky Mountain National Park for another evening hike this time to the top of Ypsilon Mountain, a 13er in the Mummy Range. The hike was smooth to the summit although I quickly realized upon arriving that I wasn't on Ypsilon, but I was on Mount Chiquita another 13er right next to Ypsilon. No matter the views were pretty amazing especially to the west towards the Never Summer Mountains and Rawahs. Some rain showers were forming off the western ranges, but I didn't hear any thunder or see any lightning so I thought little of it. After about 20 minutes on the summit, two quick lightning bolts flashed from one of the rain showers to the west. Followed by another quick bolt to the northwest. A deep low rumble of thunder and that was that I needed to get back at least to the treeline. Unfortunately that was 2,000 feet below me and about 2 miles back. The clouds grew angrier and the lightning more frequent as I hustled down the steep rocky slope. I finally arrived back at my car as the first rain began to fall.

I hopped onto the Trail Ridge Road to head home as the heavy wind driven rain gave way to sun. I turned a corner and to my surprise a massive rainbow was spanning over the road. Miraculously there was an overlook right there so I pulled off and jumped out into the rain to start shooting. Over the next 15 minutes the sky came alive with bright lumpy mammatus clouds and rainbows popping in and out as the setting sun's angle shifted. The view down into Forest Canyon was pretty impressive making for a stunningly dramatic scene. Finally the show was over and I continued the drive back home to Loveland.

Looking towards Trail Ridge from early in the hike.

One of many marmots on the trail.

Looking down towards the remote headwaters of the Cache la Poudre River

Nearing the summit of Chiquita with big views.

Looking west towards the Never Summers and Rawahs.

The remote northern reaches of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Looking across the remote northern reaches of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Exploring the classic alpine zone up on Mount Chiquita.

The sun broke through for a few minutes before I saw lightning.

Looking north towards distant Mummy Mountain.

Rugged terrain in the Mummy Range.

Sun rays light up a thunderstorm in the Never Summer Mountains.

Stunning lighting over the Never Summers.

A heavy downpour rolls over the high peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Longs Peak in the shadow of an approaching thunderstorm.

An ominous sky from an approaching storm as I descend to the treeline. Also, can you spot the marmot?

The vibrant full rainbow over the Trail Ridge Road on the drive home.

Rainbow over Forest Canyon.

Close up of the vibrant rainbow (and double rainbow) over Forest Canyon.

Dramatic light over the vast alpine ridgelines of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Impressive rainbow above the alpine tundra.

Stormy skies on the Trail Ridge Road.

Looking to the west at clearing skies over the Never Summers. Notice all the specks are actually rain falling.

One of the most stunning scenes I've ever witnessed in nature.

Rainbow in front of puffy mammatus clouds.

Mammatus clouds.

The departing storm leaves a dramatic sky behind.

Mammatus clouds over Trail Ridge Road.

Mammatus over Forest Canyon.

Every few minutes the sky changed dramatically. Surreal!

Evening light after the storm.

A spectacular sky!

Longs Peak, a 14er, glows at last light beneath departing storms.

A close-up of Longs Peak.

Longs Peak

A mountain goat grazes in a rugged zone on Trail Ridge.

A mountain goat grazes under colorful skies.

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