BY TINEY RICCIARDI, @TINEYTRAILSNACKS, CRICCIARDI@DENVERPOST.COM

Smoke from the Gold Mountain wildfire has engulfed the valley where I live for more than 10 days and the air quality has been so bad, I've hardly gone outside to walk my dog. Needless to say, I’m itching to get to higher elevations this weekend. I’m hoping to catch the tail end of a massive superbloom happening in alpine terrain throughout the state (more on that below) and also jump in a cold body of water as we reach peak summer temperatures. Here’s hoping the wind and air quality will be in my favor.