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Post by lennox on May 9, 2023 8:45:03 GMT -8
Hello again. I am looking for a wilderness backpacking area for 3-4 nights, June 30-July 4, within about a 3 hour drive from Boulder. I know lots of places within that distance, but only one that are likely to be snow-free by the end of June 2023. The one is the Lost Creek Wilderness where we have been twice. Once to the Shaft House via Goose Creek: www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/shaft-house-via-goose-creek . The other was the Lost Creek Wilderness Loop: www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lost-creek-wilderness-loop--2?search=true . Looking for something else. Preferably somewhere other than the LC Wilderness, but if that is really the only option, then somewhere other than the hikes we have done. I will be coming from TX, but daughter is coming from Boulder area and does not have time to spend more than 3 (maybe 4) hours driving. I wanted to do the S San Juans from the Platoro area, but that is at least 6 hours from Boulder - and Blue Lake might still be snow covered at the end of this June. I also looked at the Greenhorn Mtn Wilderness, but I do not see that as a 3-4 night backpack; maybe 2 at the most. Any other ideas? Thanks, Lennox<style></style> |
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Post by trinity on May 9, 2023 12:51:59 GMT -8
Slightly over your stated driving range, but the Sangres might be a possibility. As you know, snow levels will vary quite a bit from one year to the next, but I made a trip in late June a few years ago, with no problems. TR is here: link |
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Post by lennox on May 9, 2023 15:16:06 GMT -8
Thanks, Trinity! I am going to spend some time looking at this. I recall researching this loop a few years ago. I do not recall why we did not go there. I'll check it out some more. Thanks again! Lennox
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Post by marmotstew on May 10, 2023 7:44:11 GMT -8
You might look into the Flat Tops on the east side, near Yampa. Might still be some snow but maybe not too bad. Lost Creek is nice but the Flat Tops are really cool.
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Post by marmotstew on May 10, 2023 8:10:41 GMT -8
Might be a little closer to 3 1/2 hours from Boulder.
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Post by trinity on May 10, 2023 9:26:04 GMT -8
the Flat Tops are really cool. Totally agree. |
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Post by Lamebeaver on May 10, 2023 12:56:23 GMT -8
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Post by lennox on May 10, 2023 14:12:03 GMT -8
Thank you all. I will check these out. One key will be that it is snow-free (mostly) at the end of June.
Lennox
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Post by cweston on May 11, 2023 8:45:26 GMT -8
I second the Sangres. SWE levels have run low there all winter/spring, so I think that virtually anywhere in the range should be hikeable by June 30 *this* year. If you want to be cautious, the west slope opens up sooner than the east (although it's a little longer drive from Boulder).
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Post by marmotstew on May 11, 2023 9:49:34 GMT -8
This is the hardest part about backpacking. Choosing where to go. Sangres are a fine choice. I’m probably going to backpack the flat tops a couple weeks before your trip. I’ll report back on conditions. Never been there that early but hoping for the best. I’ll bring snow shoes just in case. I did a trip over 4th of July years ago and it was fine.
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Post by cweston on May 11, 2023 12:45:38 GMT -8
...SWE levels have run low there [Sangres] all winter/spring, so I think that virtually anywhere in the range should be hikeable by June 30 *this* year. Haydn Pass Snotel zeroed out yesterday: almost three weeks ahead of the median season. South Colony is at 65% of Median SWE. Obviously, conditions could change between now and then. But I'm tentatively planning a trip in the Crestone area for mid-June. I think you're golden for June 30 absent major surprises. Interactive SWE map |
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TrailElder
Trail Wise!
Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed
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Post by TrailElder on May 29, 2023 6:33:12 GMT -8
lennox I'm involved with a Wilderness alliance that looks out after Eagles Nest, Holy Cross, and Flat Tops Wilderness areas (southern portion). All within an easy drive of Boulder. I can give you a report on conditions as we get closer. Any more you can share about what you are looking for? Miles? Water? Topography? Human count? 
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Post by lennox on May 31, 2023 16:25:26 GMT -8
Thanks, TrailElder! I think the ideal trip for this group would be within about 3 hours from Boulder. It would be a loop at or below about 12,000 ft. Probably a 4 nights out and 8-10 miles each hiking day. It would have campsites for 3 tents (possibly 4 people) near water that I could Tenkara fish at least once. I suspect that this "ideal" route may not exist. Especially an area that is mostly snow and mud free June 30-July 4, 2023.
I have never hiked in the Flat Tops or Eagles Nest Wilderness. In the Holy Cross Wilderness I have hiked the Fancy Lake/Missouri Lakes Loop twice and done an in-and-out hike on the Fall Creek Trail to Lake Constantine as well as an in-and-out hike to Mormon Lake.
Thank you for any suggestions you might think of.
Lennox
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TrailElder
Trail Wise!
Something will have gone out of us as a people if we ever let the remaining wilderness be destroyed
Posts: 507
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Post by TrailElder on Jun 5, 2023 5:41:48 GMT -8
lennox: Okay, that's helpful. I can suggest some options in Eagle's Nest, but for that kind of mileage keeping the altitude as low as possible (which is going to be a good idea for conditions), I think I'm going to recommend you take a good look at the Flat Tops. It's 3.5 hrs to Sweetwater Lake, where the Hilltop TH provides access at the SE corner of the Wilderness. You could walk trails for weeks from there at pretty low altitudes (no high passes like you'll have to deal with in EN or HX). All under 12K and much of it 10K or under. You will see very few people, even on that busy weekend. Take a look at the map and if this looks interesting I can provide more details. I'm going in there on Friday so I'll have a report next week. In the EN, you can make nice loops or thru-hikes using the Gore Range Trail (soon to be renamed the Nuchu Range Trail we hope!). Just be aware you will have to deal with more than one high pass in there. 12Kish. This area will be busy at points, but lovely. The furthest TH from Boulder is 2.5 hrs (near Vail) and there are much closer ones in Summit County. If this is of interest, let me know and I can provide more specifics. If you want to go into HX again, I'd recommend a circumnavigation of Mount of the Holy Cross. Again, some high passes and you are almost certainly going to deal with snow -- maybe a lot. I was just hiking yesterday in that area and we came into snow on the trail at 9500. But let me know if you want any more info on this route.
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Post by lennox on Jun 13, 2023 12:00:25 GMT -8
Thank you for your comments. The rest of the group is set on going to the Lost Creek Wilderness. I think they are concerned about snow and/or deep mud at other places. I will keep this information for a future hike. I have a couple of questions about Lost Creek Wilderness, but I will start a new thread for that, if I cannot find the answers on line.
Thanks again! Lennox <style></style>
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