Sunday, Mountains, Clouds, Sun, and Rain..

Saturday night, we checked the forecast for Sunday and quickly realized we had to go somewhere. The choice was clear, either stay in Denver and roast, or escape to the mountains and stay unroasted and (relatively) cool. Unsurprisingly, we were ready for a quick getaway. After all, who enjoys being seared by the blazing sun?

We considered a few spots and settled on a short hike at Kenosha Pass. Not too far, but far enough. Not too high, so we could stay below the tree line, but high enough to enjoy cooler temperatures. So the next morning, after an hour drive, we arrived, unloaded, and took in the scenery. The high-altitude meadows and mountain ranges looked amazing… but the sky stole the show - it was CLOUDY!

 

Still, this is Colorado, so the first thing we did was apply sunscreen before heading east on the trail. The clouds not only kept the air pleasantly cool but also softened the colors of the surrounding slopes. The views felt a bit unreal - familiar yet mystical at the same time. We weren’t complaining though. We loved it.

Just five minutes into the hike, we came upon a vibrant cluster of Blue Columbines - Colorado's state flower. Their beauty is both subtle and striking, never demanding attention but impossible to ignore. These blue and white gems scattered across the green carpet of the forest floor are simply captivating.

We continued along the road as it gently climbed and curved south. Fortunately, the sky remained mostly cloudy, shielding us from the sun's full intensity.

We still were surrounded by these unusual gentle and subtle colored mountain slopes...

About 1.5 miles in, a small creek crossed the road. Our options: wade through ankle-deep, flowing water, or turn back. We chose to head back toward the car, for two reasons. First, we hadn’t planned a long hike to begin with. Second, the heat had started to return as the sun finally broke through the clouds. Turns out, even at 10,000 feet, the summer sun still packs a punch.

With the sun now shining, the landscape brightened into the vivid summer palette we’re more used to. 

The aspen trees were especially beautiful - their light bark glowing, their leaves still a fresh, vibrant green. Soon enough, they’ll turn darker, but for now we were still clinging to that almost-springtime feeling.

We passed the same cluster of Columbines on our way back and, of course, stopped to admire them again.

It was an easy hike - just over 3 miles round trip with about 220 feet of elevation gain. Most of the trail was shaded by clouds and trees, which made it even more enjoyable. But we had more plans for the day, so we drove down to Grant and turned onto County Road 62 toward Guanella Pass. We weren’t planning to drive all the way up, but we wanted to revisit Geneva Park.

Click here to see the trail on Google Maps - Kenosha Pass hike.

We hadn’t been there in years, and we were surprised to find the road newly paved at the start (I am talking about the fork to the Geneva Park, not the main road that was paved all way across the mountains). That joy was short-lived though - the pavement lasted only a few hundred feet before it returned to the same bumpy, dusty trail we remembered. Still, it was passable, so we continued toward one of our favorite picnic spots for lunch. ;)

After lunch, we went on another short hike, again with no specific distance in mind. The clouds had returned, and now the sky looked downright dramatic. Another reason to keep it short.

Eventually, we found a beautiful aspen grove and hung our hammocks between the trees. Yep, that was part of the plan too. We laid back, swinging gently, watching the gray, brooding sky above.

Yep, this is what the world looks like when you're in a hammock - just sky and treetops. But what a view, even with clouds.

But the weather was turning... Thunder cracked in the distance, and the light dimmed again. A few drops of rain sent us scrambling out of the hammocks - we knew it was time to head back to Denver. And sure enough, the rain was coming.

It took just a few minutes to pack up and walk to the car. We made it just in time. The moment we closed the doors, the rain hit - loud, heavy, almost angry, like it was trying to teach us a lesson about respecting mountain weather. But it was too late. We were dry, inside, and already on the road.

The rain was intense but brief. Once we descended back to lower elevations, we left it behind. The temperature soared above 90°F, and there was no trace of rain. But we didn’t care. We’d spent the morning breathing cool, fragrant mountain air. And now we were ready for another week of work.

Click here to see the hike on the Google Maps - Geneva Park hike.

Thanks ChatGPT for proofreading and polishing the story :)

  Photos taken on June 29, 2025.