Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2016 12:46:19 GMT -8
I'm planning a car camping/backpacking trip to Colorado at the end of March and wondering if trails will be passable? I don't really have any specific trails or parks in mind yet, any suggestions on some places where trails will be passable would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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Post by absarokanaut on Aug 15, 2016 15:39:28 GMT -8
I lived in Colorado Springs and LaVeta for a LONG time. There's usually some dayhiking to be had in S. Central CO then but it can also snow a LOT everywhere in March. Snowshoes can really expand your options. Some POSSIBLE dayhike areas:
Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area
Picketwire Canyonlands
Cheyenne Canon
The Crags
Lower elevations of Sangre de Cristo western slope.
Lost Creek Wilderness from Taryall Road
Puma Hills
Thirty Nine Mile Mountain
Sand Canon and much of Utah border
New Mexico: Usually PRIME time to hike loop at Wild Rivers near Questa, just a half hour south of State line. Don't do if to icy and you don't have crampons or other appropriate gear.
What's your early season experience?
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whistlepunk
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I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
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Post by whistlepunk on Aug 15, 2016 20:02:59 GMT -8
Depends upon the winter. Look at Colorado National Monument and adjacent areas.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Aug 16, 2016 6:39:30 GMT -8
Backpacking season really doesn't start until late June or early July. In March, you can expect 10+ feet of snow on the trails in the mountains, and many trail heads are inaccessible to vehicles.
You'd have much better luck in Utah or New Mexico.
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Post by burntfoot on Aug 18, 2016 19:12:18 GMT -8
It can snow anywhere in Colorado during March.
But, here are some I'd recommend if you get a break.
1, Sand Dunes National Park
2. There are 2 wilderness study area south of Alamosa that I've done in February
3. Southeastern Colorado has some remote areas with trails that I haven't explored, but which I've heard are good.
4. Roubideaux area in western Colorado
5. Trails in the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction
6. Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado portion) - Either Harpers Trail or Split Mountain Trail
7. Roxborough State Park
8. Barr Lake State Park
With good weather, that's my list. If you cross-country ski or snowshoe, my list will be multiplied by 10.
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Post by swimswithtrout on Aug 20, 2016 15:59:54 GMT -8
Plan on skiing/snowshoeing if you're above 9,000', aka, "In the Mountains". There will be at least 3-10' of snow everywhere.
Between 7,000 and 9,000, there should be some dry trails with patchy snow piles..... or they could be under 5' of snow.
If you don't mind camping out in the prairie flatlands, where legal, it should be totally dry...or covered in 2' of snow.
Your best bet would be to head to the West Slope and the Colorado National Monument area or even into Utah. It can be "balmy" there in March, or buried under 2-3' of snow.
March is our snowiest month. It's a total crap-shoot regarding conditions.
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Post by absarokanaut on Aug 31, 2016 14:23:36 GMT -8
Hope you appreciate the responses you got OP.
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Hungry Jack
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Post by Hungry Jack on Aug 31, 2016 19:13:15 GMT -8
Go to Big Bend instead
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2016 6:59:49 GMT -8
Thanks everyone! Really appreciate the great suggestions
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Post by swimswithtrout on Sept 1, 2016 20:01:28 GMT -8
Hope you appreciate the responses you got OP. Come on DC/Absarokanaut !! March is a great time to visit the Sangre de Christo's !! It's "down south", gets little snow compared to the rest of the State, and is always warm   I know this image has a lot of flaws, but it was all I could do to salvage the film after it shattered in my camera from the cold.... just an hour or two before my feet froze as well. I guess I was "under-dressed". It was only rated to -20F below 0.  |
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Sept 2, 2016 7:44:42 GMT -8
Are those Dachstein mitts?
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Post by swimswithtrout on Sept 2, 2016 17:09:35 GMT -8
Are those Dachstein mitts? Yes |
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 2, 2016 17:51:59 GMT -8
I still have one of those. I wish I still had the other one, too.
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Post by absarokanaut on Sept 3, 2016 6:12:34 GMT -8
Ah, the stones and S. Colony. Never forget the 4WD trips up that road. Darn wilderness  Right on the other side of that I've hiked 2/3 of the way to Groundhog Basin the first week of April. Ghud3, Thanks for being unlike so many that come here and don't even appreciate the effort folks give them. Good on you. We will have more or less suggestions for you in March depending on what comes. If you would like pics of much I suggested PM me, I am technomoronman and have failed to learn how to post here. Keep your stick on the ice and have a good one, John |
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