I hiked up the North Ten Mile Creek Trail near Frisco, Colorado this weekend. The weather was good for a winter hike and the the stream was flowing almost up to tree line.

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Fields in West Central Minnesota lie dormant under a light dusting of snow.

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Ice fisherman on Lobster Lake near Alexandria, Minnesota.

Normally, at this time of year, people would have no qualms about driving 3/4 ton pickups out on the ice to their fish houses, but unseasonably warm winter weather in Minnesota has left the ice much thinner than normal.

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An early winter scene in the Gore Range, Colorado.

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A winter storm dumped about a foot of snow up in the mountains this past weekend, but we only had light rain in Denver. The storm clouds created some nice winter light.

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The deep snows of winter.

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Sundown on an ice-covered Minnesota lake.

There were dark, low clouds and blustery conditions all day, but right before day’s end a brilliant yellow sun emerged below the cloud deck and above the horizon to briefly illuminate the frozen lake.

On Pelican Lake near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

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We had some colder nights last week and part of Sloan Lake in the city developed a thin layer of ice. These geese seemed confused as they were patiently marching their way to some open water.

Denver, Colorado.

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Cold, freezing air moving over warmer water creates fog on Lake Dillon. Winter in the mountains is here, and the lake will soon be covered with ice.

Dillon, Colorado.

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Winter briefly meets with fall in the LoDo area of downtown Denver.

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Winter continued this weekend in High Country. In the photo above, snow-laden clouds march across Lake Dillon while a thin sliver of sunrise light temporarily breaks through the clouds and streaks across the frozen surface.

Area ski resorts have recorded about 18” of fresh powder in the last week.

Lake Dillon (9,017’ AMSL), Summit County, Colorado.

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Cold pepper.

Yesterday, on the last official day of winter, a nasty snowstorm blew into Denver to end the season with an exclamation point. 

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Paradise lost.

Another storm photo from yesterday in downtown Denver.

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With special emphasis on the frozen custard.

On the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver during yesterday’s snowstorm.

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On the cold seat.

Not a scooter day. Yesterday in downtown Denver during the snowstorm.