Photo by sally king

Abert's Squirrels may be seen licking the newly-running sap of Boxelder trees.

THE NORM
Cold, snowy days intermix with warm sunny days. Heavy pollen in the air from blooming junipers can mean watery eyes and runny noses for many people. The Main Loop Trail is the only trail where snow is removed. Snow and ice remains on most other trails and turns to muddy muck by mid-afternoon. The ladders at Alcove House may remain closed due to safety concerns if it has been a snowy winter. The Cross-country ski trails still have plenty of snow but on warm afternoons can become slushy. Abert's Squirrels remain active and may be seen feeding on the newly-running sap of Boxelder trees. By late month, the Sandhill Cranes can be heard as they pass overhead migrating back north. Visitation is slow but may begin to pick up by President's weekend. On occasion the parking lots have filled over this holiday. Collection of the entrance fee is done at the visitor center instead of the entrance station. Interpretive programs are only offered occasionally.

photo by sally king

The cross-country ski trails are melting and winter activities are becoming difficult.

FEBRUARY 2009
All park trails are currently open (02/28/09) but there are still some icy spots and even deep snow in the upper canyons and higher elevations. Skiing is getting poor at the Cross-country ski trails as the snow has melted away in patches. Warmer daytime temperatures have made trails, especially in the lower elevations, slushy by mid-day. The Falls Trail is in good shape above Lower Falls except for small icy patches in the morning and slush in the afternoon. The trail below Lower Falls has the remains of dead cows that died when the park attempted to remove them from the area. The area near the Rio Grande is extremely muddy. Watch for more feral cows that are still occupying this area of the trail. Willows near the Rio are blooming now.