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Post by beemurph on Sept 6, 2016 8:00:43 GMT -8
Hey all, My son and I are planning a trip to Maroon Bells the week of Oct 15th. We want to be in the back country for 4-5 nights. We're thinking about doing 4 Pass Loop but may freelance a bit once we're on the scene. The goal was to time the trip after the summer tourist season but before the winter ski season. Hopefully we've done that. Airfare is bought so date changes are off the table. Anyway, I'm interested in your input on a few things: - Weather conditions typical for the Maroon Bells area that time of year- particularly snow fall.
- Hunters! I read in another post that hunting season may be a factor during the week we're in the area.
- Alternatives to Maroon Bells assuming they are 4 hours or less from DEN (where we're flying into)
Thanks! BeeMurph
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Deborah
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Post by Deborah on Sept 7, 2016 8:00:17 GMT -8
By mid October you need to be prepared for serious snow in the high country. Too bad you did not go with mid September.
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Post by absarokanaut on Sept 7, 2016 14:58:17 GMT -8
October could throw your 4 hour limit in the dumpster, or it could be glorious. Don't count on the latter by any means.
Be prepared to drive farther if there is big snow. SE Utah may be your best option.
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 7, 2016 16:48:26 GMT -8
Outside of your drive time, but maybe look at the Pecos Wilderness in NM. Even there, weather and snow could be a big issue.
Where are you from? Welcome to the forum.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Sept 7, 2016 18:16:31 GMT -8
Schofield PassThis is the nearest SNOTEL site I could find quickly. It's the high pass between Crested Butte and Marble. I would check this often regarding conditions. October can be awesome for peakbagging like an overnighter or day hike. I would not worry about hunters unless they are on horseback. Typically they do not travel far from vehicle access as their gear is heavy and heavier if they are successful. On the back side of the hike you will be close to Lead King Basin which has vehicular access. I would monitor Crystal River Jeep Tours in Facebook as he usually posts road conditions. The first snow was in late August BTW. I'd have Plan B & C just in case. Southeast Utah a good choice too but another 200 miles from Aspen. Days are shorter. Not sure where you are coming from so hard to recommend alternatives.
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Post by beemurph on Sept 8, 2016 6:21:51 GMT -8
Thanks for the replies so far and the SNOTEL site is very helpful. I'm coming from Cincinnati. Have done many October trips to the Sierras and always dodge significant snow. Have done the Rockies just twice. Both times in September. Might have misjudged coming out in October. We'll know in another month. Aside from purchased airfare and a rental car reserved, we've made no concrete plans so we can adjust our current plans or tear them up and start from scratch. I'll check out some of the other options suggested. Sounds like I should have an alternative that's further south or lower elevation...or maybe both.
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Post by trinity on Sept 8, 2016 8:13:24 GMT -8
Haven't been there, but the Lost Creek Wilderness is supposed to be a beautiful place, and usually snow free later into the season than higher elevation areas. Also, here is an article by PMags on the subject of off-season backpacking destinations, might be helpful in developing alternative plans: link
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Post by johntpenca on Sept 8, 2016 17:08:52 GMT -8
Mid October in the Sierra and Rockies is a crap shoot. Amazing you have not gotten burned in the Sierra in October. Several years ago I rented a 4wd out of Montrose (CO) and went to my dads place out of Ridgway in late September. My brother was pissing and moaning that he bothered to to bring a puffy. I had to leave under blue bird skies and had a pleasant trip home.
My brothers on the other hand got dumped on that night and needed to get towed out the next day.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 8, 2016 20:00:59 GMT -8
Lost Creek Wilderness is supposed to be a beautiful place, I've been in parts of it. Not quite the same as the high peaks, but some really cool rocks in that area, and definitely lower. It would be a spot to consider.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Sept 9, 2016 6:38:49 GMT -8
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Post by beemurph on Sept 9, 2016 10:02:13 GMT -8
After exploring some of the alternatives suggested (which led to still other alternatives)I'm zeroing in on Black Ridge Canyon Wilderness. Still a chance of snow but less so at a much lower elevation. Lots more research to do. Wanted to thank everyone for the input. Very helpful.
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Sept 12, 2016 16:49:51 GMT -8
COLORADO HUNTING INFOI think you will be OK. Hunters tend to have a short radius from the road unless on horseback. You might call White River National Forest for more guidance. Typically hunters don't travel far from motorized vehicles, which are not allowed in Wilderness Areas. I would worry a bit more for hunters on horse back, as their range is much greater. You might also call Crystal River Jeep Tours for a chat as they are incredibly knowledgeable on the west side of your proposed trek. Another hunting factor to consider is that often big game wildlife goes low, for food sources during late season. And finally one more resource you may consider contacting. 10th Mountain Division Hut system. They mange numerous backcountry huts in the Aspen area and would likely know of past hunting history in the area. WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FORESTAnd finally my alternative pick: Day hiking 14er's in the Salida, Buena Vista area. Shavano, Princeton, Yale: The standard routes are south facing meaning sun and less snow. Good luck!
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Post by absarokanaut on Sept 13, 2016 15:21:03 GMT -8
I rescued a few backpackers on an island on the Southfork of the Buffalo in the Teton Wilderness once years ago. I was packing out elk. When one of the women tried to give me !@#$ about it AFTER she rode one of my horses through the 40" deep rain swollen rushing water I reminded her almost every trail she walks on was created by horses and that almost every acre she enjoyed was ultimately protected by the efforts of conservationists, almost all of whom were HUNTERS. I do not hunt, but I have to roll my eyes when any outdoor enthusiast has nothing but nebulous at best bad things to say about the group as a whole when the land they enjoy was more than likely brought under protection by this group they ignorantly and negatively stereotype. Yes, accidents happen and some people should not be using firearms at all, and some rednecks are unpleasant, but my gawd people it's like getting hit by lightning. With all due respect you might think about finding another group actually worthy of your disdain and next time you come across some hunters thank them for the billions of dollars they've contributed to protect the land you enjoy and be a little less contemptuous of a group you should be thanking rather than disparaging.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 13, 2016 19:35:58 GMT -8
be a little less contemptuous I think you may have been a bit hasty to take offense. I see no disparagement, rather a warning which is not unreasonable--be aware of hunting season and take precautions. The discussion of how far hunters travel from the road is what I assume you consider offensive, but again, it looks to me more like an effort to assess risks. If you want to discuss hunting and it's merits, I suggest you start a new thread, rather than dropping a non-sequitur into a thread seeking route info.
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Sept 14, 2016 9:32:04 GMT -8
I have to roll my eyes when any outdoor enthusiast has nothing but nebulous at best bad things to say about the group as a whole when the land they enjoy was more than likely brought under protection by this group they ignorantly and negatively stereotype. Yes, accidents happen and some people should not be using firearms at all, and some rednecks are unpleasant, but my gawd people it's like getting hit by lightning. OK... but we're also cognizant of and take precautions against lightening, too. I don't think anyone was negatively stereotyping hunters; certainly no one mentioned rednecks. I live in Michigan and have many friends who hunt. They know I'm a hiker and, honestly, they're the first ones to warn me about the various hunting seasons/dates in and around the places they know I like to hike.
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