Mud Lake and A Lesson in Mountain Weather

With summer in full-swing, just in time for our arrival to our non air-conditioned apartment, we heeded the advice of some locals and sought reprieve up in the mountains. Thankfully, that only means a 30 minute drive. Thirty minutes can take you some pretty incredible places from Boulder. We got some advice and maps from the Visitor Center in Nederland a couple days earlier and decided on a short hike around Mud Lake. It was a beautiful day, but by the time we finally got out of the house it was around lunch time.

My obsession with wildflowers continues

Nice flat trail means easy walking for Lucia

This pileated woodpecker has strayed from his usual range. Definitely a rarity.

Pockets of views from the trail, clouds moving and converging quickly.

Hiking is all about the snack breaks for some!

Gorgeous blue columbine. Perfection.

About halfway around the loop the clouds starting looking pretty ominous and it started to sprinkle a little. Then we heard the thunder in the distance. Being inexperienced with Colorado weather we decided to book it back to the car and made it right before it started pouring out. We did really like this trail though. You get the mountains, but its a flat trail and not too long of a loop for Lucia. We vowed to try and get out the door earlier in the future to hopefully avoid the afternoon thunderstorms.

We took the Tungsten Loop. Skipped the Kinnikinic Look because of the thunderstorm.