NORTH CASCADES, Wash. – If you’ve been hiking in the North Cascades recently, you may have noticed a pink hue on some of the snowpack.
The phenomenon, called watermelon snow, sounds like a treat, but it’s actually caused by a cold-loving green algae.
The US Forest Service says while it’s fun to look at and may sound delicious, hikers and their pets should avoid ingesting it because it can make you sick.
While the algae itself is green, the pink color is caused by a chemical reaction activated during hot summer weather.
The darker hue of watermelon snow can also increase the speed of glacial melt.
