‘Watermelon snow’ cloaks mountains of US west with mysterious color

Pinkish-hued remains of winter snowfall fascinate hikers but - despite natural origin - pose questions about health and climate

High up in the mountains, amid pinyon pine and quaking aspen trees, the remaining remnants of the winter's snow is dotted with hues of pinks, purples and oranges.

Hikers, campers and church youth groups journeying by grasp it in their palms and liken it to flavored snow cones, Flamin' Hot Cheetos, pink lemonade, dissolved blood or if passersby conducted an art project using red food coloring.