Mountain Secrets Blog

Every year, American Express helps small businesses promote shopping locally on Small Business Saturday^®, the movement they started in 2010. Now, 10 years later, small businesses face one of the greatest challenges ever: a worldwide pandemic that has seen millions of Americans lose their jobs, countless small businesses close, and many more struggle to keep going. According to the Amex-commissioned 2018 Small Business Economic Impact Study, 62% of U.S. small businesses reported that they need to see consumer spending return to pre-COVID levels by the end of 2020 in order to stay in business. When you Shop Small^® this holiday season – and all year long – you can help create a big impact.

It's looking like a mixed bag of weather across the foothills, the Denver metro and the adjacent plains for the upcoming holiday weekend. Some precipitation will be possible, but no big storm systems are expected. It looks like a pretty warm Saturday, followed by cooler temperatures Sunday and Memorial Day. Overall, the rainfall potential doesn't look too impressive, so you may be able to fit in some outdoor activities off and on, but you'll want to watch the skies. Remember, lightning is one of the biggest weather dangers this time of year, and we're expecting some throughout the weekend. So if you'll be hiking, biking or just enjoying the outdoors, keep the "30 Second Lightning Safety Rule" in mind. Thunderstorms and showers will continue to be at least a possibility Sunday and Monday as well, along with fairly cool temperatures.

Wednesday April 15, 2020 - By Meteorologist Steve Hamilton

So, How Much Snow?

That's a tough question to answer right now, unfortunately. The forecast models are not lining up, even though this system appears similar to the last one. To put it simply, it doesn't seem like this will be a major two-footer for our area. Accumulations may end up between 3 and 8 inches for most areas, with lesser amounts for Denver.

 A cold front is still expected to descend into Colorado from the Northern Rockies. We're seeing some snowfall in the northern mountains already, but this doesn't have much to do with the incoming front. It's more related to the current Jet Stream pattern, which has caused some "lifting" (pulling air up from the surface), and thus, some snowfall and gusty wind.

Looking at the front that's on the way, it should arrive over Colorado by this evening. Readings from further north show gusty wind behind the front, as is usually the case. We can expect that over the Front Range Foothills by this evening. Wind should be out of the north or northeast.

 This week on Exploring 285 we visited Intermountain Humane Society to see their adoptable cats and dogs! Meet them here or go check them out in Pine! Check out imhs.org for more details and information! Click Read more to meet the dogs and cats!

This week on Exploring 285 we are visiting a new addition to Conifer Southern Lilies Florist located next to Snowpack Taproom & Kitchen . Their GRAND OPENING is Saturday, February 1st from 9am-1pm. They will be doing a gift card drawing and offering a free beer from Snowpack or 10% off! Go check them out for your Valentine's Day needs, upcoming wedding/event or just because flowers! Visit them at https://www.facebook.com/Southern-Lilies-Florist-103084751235201/ .

Click read more to see the full interview /shop ! 

This week on Exploring 285 we visited 285 Pizza Pies ! They offer delicious pizza for our mountain community! Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/285PizzaPies/ ! Yummy and delicious food for your needs! Bailey/Mountain Strong in Colorado! 

Click Read More to see the full interview with Mike!

This week on Exploring 285 we visited Inglenook Energy to see all the fireplaces they have to offer! Are you looking for a new fireplace to keep warm this winter? Check them out! Pellets, wood burning, gas - they have them all and have grilling equipment! Visit them at https://www.inglenookenergy.com/ 

Click Read More to see their fireplaces and meet the owner!

This week on Exploring 285 we visited Pine Emporium in Historic Pine Grove, Colorado . They have antiques, trinkets, books, photography, collectibles and so much more! Check them out next time you are in Pine! https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Pine-Emporium/790822087637159

Click read more to see the video and the store!

As new homeowners (or new parents), many of us look forward to participating in those annual holiday traditions - decorating for Christmas, passing out candy at Halloween, etc. When we bought our first house in Conifer, we were so excited to welcome Trick or Treaters to our door that we rushed to Costco to buy the giant bag of candy to be sure we'd have enough. We decorated our house, made sure our porch light was turned on, and sat in eager anticipation of little voices yelling "Trick or Treat!"

That first Halloween, we quickly realized things are done a little differently here from where we'd grown up when we had not a single goblin, ghost, Spiderman, or princess warrior grace our door. With houses spaced out further, and a lack of streetlights, going door-to-door in the neighborhood isn't really an option for kids in the mountains. After polishing off that giant bowl of candy ourselves (ouch), we discovered the fabulous world of Trunk or Treats at local schools, activities at libraries, and Trick or Treating at area businesses!

This week on Exploring 285 we visited Scooter's Smokehouse & Grill to see their new remodeled restaurant and eat some delicious bbq! Next time you are in Conifer check them out!  https://m.facebook.com/scooterssmokehousebbq/

Click read more to see the full video and their new place!

If you're reading this post, you're probably on it right now. MyMountainTown.com. Meet our beloved Sharon Trilk, she's the face behind My Mountain Town, the leading news and forum website for the foothills. 🏔

Sharon is über-passionate about our local mountain towns and is constantly striving to strengthen the fabric of our community. Learn about her story and how she came to take over My Mountain Town back in 2011 as well as what MMT has to offer.

"Our goal is to connect everyone in the community—the businesses, the non-profits, the community members… because we all help each other succeed and thrive. But it takes more than just being online. You have to get out in your community. So I'm going to challenge everyone. Pick a favorite non-profit in the area and find one you love, and just volunteer for an hour or two a month or an hour a two a week. Whatever you have time for. When we all pitch in and get to know each other, we make it the place to live that it is. It's beautiful; this is the place to be. This is our heart."

Sharon Trilk, Owner of My Mountain Town

 Click "continue reading" for the full video interview!

If you're enjoying my explore 285 videos please follow me on Facebook @kaylasellshomes or email me at  

Click read more to see video!

This week on #exploring285 we took adventures to some of our local parks including Kenosha Pass , Guanella Pass , Staunton State Park - Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Meyer Ranch Park! We would love to see your adventures too, so share your photos of your adventures! We LOVE fall! #lovefall #explore285 #guanellapass #stauntonstatepark #coloradoparksandwildlife #Meyerranchpark #adventures #fallcolors #nature #beauty #leaves #octoberinthemountains #viewsfordays #realtorlife #kaylasellshomes 

Click read more to see video!

We could see the parking lot now, we were almost laughing with excitement as we took our last steps and arrived at the southern terminus. We took off our packs and just deflated, as if on cue, in an emotional end to an incredible journey.

We crossed through treeline and across the open tundra where we were greeted by a spectacular array of mountain peaks and ridgelines. Back in the alpine we were. 

Our pace was quick, our focus acute, we were only 53 miles away from the southern terminus of the Colorado Trail.

There was a sense of harmony in this place. We needed to pass through it, but didn't want to disturb the energy. Peacefully we made our way across, absorbing it's beauty and leaving no trace of ourselves. 

If the avalanche debris we were finding off on the side of the road was any determination to what we were bypassing in Elk Creek, we were assured of our decision to take the detour.