SNAP*Shot: Magical Rime Ice Landscapes

Last Wednesday I woke up to clouds down to the ground, we call fog, and temps in the low 20s. Amazingly, it was like that all day which is unusual in Colorado Springs. There were occasional snow flurries, but it never actually snowed. At times I could see what looked like ice crystals floating in the clouds. Ice/snow also seemed to be forming on trees. By the next morning we had clouds/fog mostly along the horizons, bright sun, and magical landscapes due to the heavy coating of rime ice. Come see!!

We are at the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site bordering east of Garden of the Gods. We will also head up the hill to see the glorious landscapes in Garden of the Gods.

So what exactly is rime ice? Glad you asked 😉 . When clouds are down to the ground it is often called fog, but either way and simply put, the fog/cloud may consist of tiny liquid water droplets. When temperatures are below freezing, it becomes freezing fog and the now freezing water droplets build up as ice on exposed surfaces including trees and grasses. It can be either soft or hard rime ice depending on the winds. Soft rime when wind is calmer, hard at higher wind speeds, but either way temps need to be between 17-28°F.

We have hard rime and right now it is 26° so be sure to bring your hat and gloves!

So what does the rime ice look like up close? Some areas it is heavier than others but makes the landscapes magical!

Nice flat trails at the historic ranch and gorgeous ice-coated cottonwood trees.

At the ranch proper there are fenced areas with horses, pigs, sheep, one cow, and a rooster with his chickens. Can you tell there have been unusually high winds over the last few months? The windmill had its blades stored for safety.

The Blacksmith shop.

And the iconic valley view north in Garden of the Gods.

Even more amazing, the following day there was still ice on many grassy areas and shaded trees. Now that is hard ice!

What an amazing winter wonderland! Until next time my friend . . .