jay
Trail Wise!
Posts: 152 
|
Post by jay on Jul 13, 2015 12:30:34 GMT -8
Would like to get a consensus on the best times to hike the Rockies? My daughter and I are wanting to take a trip next spring or summer. We live in a flat land state and I realize that spring here does not mean spring at elevation. What is the best general timeframe to plan a trip for that area?
|
|
|
|
Post by topshot on Jul 13, 2015 13:03:19 GMT -8
Definitely not "spring" unless you know how to travel on snow and ice. Generally June is the earliest at some locations (lower elevation or far south). July and August are more typical. The Weminuche had a bit too much snow/rain for comfort on July 1 (water levels well above average), for example, so my 8 year old and I went to the South San Juan instead that didn't get the late season snowstorms as much. Normally I would have gone later but we planned our trip to coincide with when his older brother was at Philmont. September can be nice but you have more chance of a snow storm up high.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lamebeaver on Jul 13, 2015 13:18:47 GMT -8
Early September is "best" as the chance of afternoon thunderstorms is less, but July and August work too. Just watch the weather and don't get caught in a storm above tree line.
|
|
jay
Trail Wise!
Posts: 152
|
Post by jay on Jul 13, 2015 13:22:54 GMT -8
Thanks for the info. My daughter and I (she is 15) are looking at doing Four Pass Loop next year and I don't want to walk her into a snow storm. I don't want to walk into one myself either, to be honest lol.
Appreciate the input.
|
|
|
|
Post by msdoolittle on Jul 14, 2015 5:24:53 GMT -8
Mid-July to Mid-September. July and August plan on afternoon Monsoons.
|
|
|
|
Post by swimswithtrout on Jul 14, 2015 19:45:02 GMT -8
The "Season" usually starts in early/ mid July and can run through the end of Sept.. July has the most flowers, and bugs, that might just carry you away. The summer Monsoon flow peaks during Aug and features all afternoon, torrential downpours. By Sept, it "normally" clears up, the bugs are gone, and you can have some of the best weather of the year, except for two years ago when we had the worst statewide flooding in history. The downside to Sept is that the flowers are gone as well.
I don't mind the bugs, so early July is my "favorite" time.
|
|
speacock
Trail Wise!
I'm here for the food...
Posts: 378
|
Post by speacock on Jul 16, 2015 10:36:03 GMT -8
We did most of the Colorado Trail in late June (yep, snow), July and August (T-Storms most afternoons some rain hiking), and September (cooler).
Temperature ranged from a few 20Fs at night/early day, to what seemed like 100+ a few days. We had snow/hail often. I was comfortable with a mountain/snow parka, Monkey Man fleece (both Mountain Hardware) and a balled up down vest in bottom of pack. It got surprising amount of use from cold hikers encountered along the way. 20F bag; one long pants (night time skeeters) and short pants; long sleeve shirt (sun protection) and t-shirt (wear one while other is drying); brim hat and lots of UV and DEET. I use leather Asolo boots (kicking snow steps) as my only footwear. We luxuriated in Stephensons 3R. Spent a lot of side trips to summits and down to meet supporting family with new food and cold beer :(
As with Swimswithtrout favorite time is early July.
|
|
jay
Trail Wise!
Posts: 152
|
Post by jay on Jul 16, 2015 18:25:33 GMT -8
thanks, all, you have given me good information on this and I really appreciate it. I will probably end up scheduling that trip for August-September time frame next year. My daughter is still in high school so will have to hit it during her summer break.
Given the elevation and terrain, what type of mileage should I plan on making per day? I live in Ohio so not used to the elevation and such. Nothing much besides corn around me here.
|
|
|
|
Post by swimswithtrout on Jul 16, 2015 19:43:02 GMT -8
Given the elevation and terrain, what type of mileage should I plan on making per day? I live in Ohio so not used to the elevation and such. Nothing much besides corn around me here. If you're coming straight from Ohio, I wouldn't plan on more than 5-7 mi/day. You might be able to push it to 10 mi after a few days of acclimation on the trail. |
|
jay
Trail Wise!
Posts: 152
|
Post by jay on Jul 17, 2015 6:53:59 GMT -8
Thanks, I knew that we wouldn't be covering as much ground as we would normally around here. I have been to the Rockies as a kid myself and remember the reality check of trying to move around at flatland speeds at an 11,000 foot elevation. I felt like a fish flopping around out of water after a bit.
|
|
|
|
Post by topshot on Jul 19, 2015 17:17:53 GMT -8
Train on the high school bleachers for a couple months beforehand. You need some good cardio work and you should be fine unless you have illness issues at altitude. I was already in fairly decent shape when I went from Indiana to over Buckskin Pass 30 hours later (slept the prior night at 10,200). But I can tell you I was quite slow going up it past 11,000'. Closer to the top was walk for 60 s, take a break for 30 s, repeat.  I didn't do the traditional loop though. I added a few things and went over Halsey Pass and East Maroon instead of Frigid Air and West Maroon. My trip report |
|
jay
Trail Wise!
Posts: 152
|
Post by jay on Jul 20, 2015 6:17:59 GMT -8
Thanks, topshot, for the advice. I don't want this trip to become an ordeal due to lack of preparation on my part. I have talked up the Rockies to my kid and she is motivated to go, also. I want to make sure it is as enjoyable as possible for both of us.
|
|
