By the middle of June, the Colorado mountains are bursting with life. The last of the snow lingers only on the highest peaks, while wildflowers bloom in vibrant patches across meadows and trails. Rivers run full and fast with snowmelt, inviting rafters and kayakers, and the fresh mountain air carries the scent of pine and sun-warmed earth. Towns and resorts that quieted during the shoulder season are now buzzing again, as tourists return to hike, bike, fish, and soak in the alpine beauty. Summer festivals begin to dot the calendar, and patios fill with people savoring the long, golden evenings—marking the true return of mountain season.