We had been warned by the Spot Weather forecast to expect "unstable to very unstable" weather, with thunderstorms or severe thunderstorms, so we kept a wary eye on the sky as we hiked through the green forest to lower Nihahi Ridge. Rather than the storms coming at us from the west, they were being born all around us as we were in the perfect sweet spot for the formation of foothills convective storm clouds. We stopped for lunch at a good view spot and listened to thunder all around us as the clouds just magically appeared. Other people were still heading up (even in sandals) but we took the prudent action and turned around, and only felt a fine mist of blown rain from time to time.

The group posed for a photo op immediately between the thunder showers and what looked to be a young cinnamon grizzly bear.

Moh, Sid and Dianna pose betwixt young grizzly and thunderstorms being born

Dianna, ahead of the rest, first saw the bear on the trail. When the other three hikers joined her the bear acted unsure for a moment before handing over the right of way to us. Everybody ensured their bear spray was handy, but nobody was quick enough for a photo.

We were back at the quiet parking lot at 2 p.m., wishing we had thought to snaffle a couple of the lovely empty river and mountain view campsites in the Little Elbow Campground.

Convective clouds forming over the Elbow Peaks behind Sid and Carl

Participants: Carl, coordinator and scribe,Sid,Dianna, (photo) Mohsen.