Wild Basin Snowshoeing (RMNP)

Plan was to head up to Lion Lake in Wild Basin region of RMNP  (the only region I haven't been to in Wild Basin yet).  There was no new snow in the forecast so I thought it would be a clear day with lots of picture opportunities. 

I don't think there was any new snow that came down but it was so windy it didn't make any difference.  It was essentially a white out the entire day.  The visibility was only about 100 feet for most of the day (the first picture taken in the morning is an exception).  I didn't see any mountains the whole day.  

Trudging through this was exhausting.  I was less than a mile from Lion Lake but it was getting pretty cold.  The moisture in my nose was starting to freeze which is a good sign it's below 15 degrees F.  I was having trouble keeping my hands warm and it would be dark soon.  The snow was so deep that I really needed to use the trekking poles to keep moving forward.  This meant it wouldn't be an option to put my hands in my pockets.  It was frustrating to turn around but I knew it was the right decision.  

On the way back, I saw some blue sky to the west.   I headed up towards Bluebird Lake to hopefully get some pictures but the visibility was so poor I still couldn't see anything.  This was the hardest I've worked so far for essentially no views.  It was still a nice day though.  ​