On May 25, 2025, Tonya and I did the Dragon’s Tail Couloir in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The weather appeared marginal. There was rain in Boulder and chances for significant rain in Rocky Mountain National Park (1 hour North-West of Boulder.) No thunderstorms were forecast, so we decided on a 4:30am start at Bear Lake TH. Our plan was to evaluate the weather at Bear Lake (elev 9940′). Our decision point would be at Emerald Lake and another decision point on the apron of the couloir. Once we get to the apron, we would evaluate the snow conditions.
The Dragon’s Tail Couloir on a sunny day. Looking from across Emerald Lake.
Dragon’s Tail on our morning. Fog obscured most of the couloir.
On the way up. We did not rope up. The snow was perfect and there was no ice, so we did no use a rope; although we brought one and gear. Right foot kick, left foot kick, ice axe, repeat…
At the top we could not see Emerald Lake because of the fog. We made good time because of the snow conditions. The hike down the north-side of the mountain was arduous but worth the effort.