Good points & it illustrates the challenge of not pushing safety limits when one has spent a lot of time/money to get to the trailhead. Since I found out that lightning is pretty widespread at the high elevations in Colorado by noon, I’ve started marking my maps for the turnaround time & estimated location at that time to get me below treeline by noon. As you say I can adjust based on forecast & cloud observations.

I invested in a cellphone booster/magnetic mount antenna to get better service. It won’t help in solidly bad signal areas but can make the difference in marginal areas. If I have time before setting up camp, I drive to a nearby high point to see if I can get a signal. On the trail, the passes sometimes have cell signals-usually not.