Caught in a Hail Storm

[MtnMike2]

Sunday eve I was hunting with my muzzleloader in Golden Gate State Park, on the northeast side near the quarry. Not really the high country - I was at about 9,000' or so and I was only about a mile from camp. I saw the storm moving in but it was to the north and I figured I could get back to camp pretty quick if need be. Well, the storm expanded as it formed and moved south toward me. Temp dropped 20 degrees, from about 80 (it was hot before it started) and all hell broke loose: lightning in the sky and hitting the ground. Sounded like cannons going off. Rain turned to hail, got harder, turned to big hail stones about the size of a dime. Hurt when it hit your shoulders. I was playing mountain man with broad brim hat (which helped), possibles bag, sheath knife and old timey canteen - no rain gear whatsoever. Can't believe I didn't even have a trash bag with me. Between taking shelter in trees, I made it back to camp. Had about 3" of hail on the ground and my camp was flooded / covered in hail. Had to bale out my tent. Fortunately had some dry clothes to change into. Got some hot coffee and food in me, put on some rain gear and I was ok. Sleeping bag was dry even tho the tent floor wasn't (bag was on inflatable mattress) so was able to stay the night.
Everything turned out ok, but a lesson I already know was emphasized: be prepared - especially in the mountains!

Mike

[Dan Morris]

Dang...sorry to hear that....several years ago, buddy n myself had set up camp on the Gore and had just gotten tarps over tent when we were hit with
this kinda thing....at 10k, it was sleet instead of hail. Still, it smarts when it bounces off shoulders and (hard..like mine) heads!
Did you see any game?
Dan

[MtnMike2]

Dan,
Jumped does two days in a row. No bucks (which was what my tag was for). Saw hawks, coyotes, chattering squirrels, etc. Everything but bucks. Saw a lot of elk sign on Ralston Creek BLM but never saw (or heard) an elk. A good bit of bear scat around. Signs are there warning of mountain lions, but I didn't find any tracks. But no buck... That's ok tho - I love getting out. Always an adventure. Getting a deer would just be icing on the cake.

Mike

[Dan Morris]

Mike, can you believe the weather change.......Monday, when I went over to the range, it was 32 and snowin like a bear....today,81. I still think we gonna have a cold one this winter..man, I gotta start clearin the freezer
for elk..LOL
Dan

[MtnMike2]

Strange weather for sure. Up and down this week. Heard the National Weather Service is predicting mild winter, the Farmers Almanac a bad one. We had a mild winter last year and a mild spring/ summer. I'm thinking it's time for it to break bad again.

Mike