The 'Never Summer' Mountain Range in Colorado

Clouds above the Never Summer Range, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The Never Summer Range of the Rocky Mountains forms a part of the Continental Divide.  This mountain range is situated along the northwest border of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Many of the peaks in this range rise to elevations of well over 12,000 feet.  Although the photo was taken in late June, many patches of snow remain on the slopes and peaks.

I took this photo from the Medicine Bow Curve overlook along Trail Ridge Road (US Highway 34) in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Hallett Peak and Tyndall Glacier in Rocky Mountain National Park

Hallett Peak and Tyndall Glacier, Rocky Mountain National Park

Hallett Peak is one of the summits along the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.  The peak summit is about 12,720 feet (3,880 meters) above sea level.  This is a view of Hallett Peak from Sprague Lake.

In a cirque to the north of Hallett Peak (and to the right of the peak in the photo above) is the Tyndall Glacier.  The small glacier is on the eastern side of the Continental Divide.  An ice and rock glacier, the Tyndall -- like most glaciers these days -- is in retreat.

Click her for more information about the glaciers in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Photo: Silo Trees in Colorado

Trees growing in silos, near Lyons, Colorado

Occasionally we see a sight like this as we drive through agricultural areas -- trees poking out of the tops of abandoned grain silos.

The Missouri Department of Conservation's Web site has a page about Silo Trees, which offers this explanation of the phenomenon:

Silos, whether of wood, tile, brick or concrete, usually contain rich silage remains. Open to the rain and sun and providing protection from the winter cold, they provide a fertile if unusual habitat for trees.

Nature, a consummate matchmaker, finds ways to introduce trees to these special environments. Perhaps birds or squirrels bring tree seeds to these silos, or maybe the old foundations shift a bit to allow dormant tree roots to push up.

The trees in these narrow environments typically grow tall quickly to reach the sun. As they strive and flourish, they testify to nature's tenacity and to the bounty of life in Missouri.

I photographed these silo trees in Colorado along State Highway 66, just east of the town of Lyons.