Thunderstorms and lightning are common in Rocky Mountain National Park during the summer monsoon season during the months of July and August. Before heading out on your next adventure, know how to protect yourself when thunder roars and lightning strikes.
When you recreate, take time to pay attention to your surroundings and know the most high-risk places to be compared to the safest locations to be during a lightning storm. When it comes to lighting, there are no fully safe places in the outdoors.
If possible, shelter inside a vehicle or a building. If you are out on a hiking trail, the next best option is to get below treeline and shelter at the base of a cluster of low-height trees or in a lower elevation dry ditch or gully.
Taking a drive on Trail Ridge or Old Fall River Roads? Stay in your vehicle. Do not walk to overlooks or stand outside in parking areas.
Avoid the following highest-risk locations during a storm:
🌩️ The top of a mountain peak
🌩️ Exposed open slopes above tree line
🌩️ Caves or rock outcroppings on the side of a mountain
🌩️ Areas near open water
🌩️ The base of a single tall tree
🌩️ The inside of a tent when camping in an exposed area
🌩️ Areas near rivers, streams, creeks and places with wet and boggy ground
For more lightning safety tips, visit www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/lightning-safety.htm
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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?
Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:
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