Starting a solo heading southbound on June 10, taking my time and doing a 14’er,spending time with friends in Leadville, etc. Ending on July 24. Any initial word on how the snowpack looks this year? (2008 looks like it was pretty intense in the south). Thanks, JPP
JohnP
A quick look at Snotell data confirms what I see out the window here in Pagosa Springs. 2009 in the San Juans looks a lot like 2008 as far as the snowpack is concerned. We had a warm, dry February/early March but frequent storms and colder temperatures since then have bolstered the snowpack. Another foot of the stuff is predicted this week. That being said, most trails were certainly passable in 2008 by early July. If you stick to your leisurely itinerary, you should be okay. Happy Trails.
Matt
I’ve always advised July 1st as a start date, if it works into your schedule. FWIW.
TrailGuy
Yep, I just took Matt’s lead and went to the snowtel sites, and did some generalization from the cuurent year SWE compared to history. It would be good to delay until mid June. Although I am taking my time I still end up near Leadville June 21 and that may well be early. But planning is half the fun! (OK maybe 25%) … Thanks, JPP
John P
I am planning to head out early in June, second or first week, depending on snowpack. I have done most of the trail before, so I know it well. Packing snowshoes for Georgia Pass.
Allen P. Wilson
Thanks Allen, Yep may be a good idea with the snowshoes. I also signed up for basic snow travel with CMC (been a member for a while). The have a class in May. Never hurts to learn more. Take Care … JPP
JohnP
Thanks for the lead on Snotell. Is there a snotell site comparable to Georgia Pass? Would Berthoud Summit be a good one? We hope to leave June 15 but this continuing rain/snow has us concerned.
Beverly
There is usually lots of snow up there until early July but is has always been do-able for me in mid to late June without any special gear. Try to hit the high stuff early before it warms up and you won’t posthole so much. You will probably also encounter snow on the 10 mile range, Searle / Kokymo, and the Holy Cross / Mt Massive areas. The latter is the most problematic because the trail is sometimes hard to find when covered with snow. (gps might be helpful)
Jerry Brown
Hi Beverly, I am watching the Snotel as well for a departure June 16. Here’s a link to the Colorado Page (map format)http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Colorado/colorado.html
By flying over the station you can see it’s name (often also indicating it’s relative location). Find one you want to look at double click to select it. Lots of good information. I personally like the Snow Water Equivalent Daily Graph because you can compare this year to previous years and also see the usual date when snow is gone. Secondly, the snow depth table is also pretty interesting. Finally some of the ski area webcams (Breck, Copper, etc.) can give a little sense of what things look like. Hope this helps… JPP
JohnP
Not specific to the CT, but gives some macro opinions for the State of Colorado.
denver and the west
Above-average snowpack didn’t last
The Denver Post
Posted: 05/06/2009 12:30:00 AM MDT
Fed by spring storms, Colorado snowpack levels rose to above average in April and then sharply dropped by May, according to federal Natural Resources Conservation Service data.
“It was a pretty quick decline,” said Mike Gillespie, the service’s snow survey supervisor. “We usually don’t see that sharp a drop until later in the season.”
Although temperatures were not warmer than normal, dust storms that coated the snowpack may have increased the amount of heat being absorbed, Gillespie said.
Still, most of the state’s river basins are in better shape than a month ago, when levels were consistently below average, according to the service.
Reservoir levels are at 106 percent of average.
The peak snowpacks were reached April 19, with a statewide average of 109 percent of the historical average.
By May 1, the statewide average had dropped to 90 percent of the historical average for that date.
Mark Jaffe, The Denver Post
TrailGuy
I climbed Mt. Bierstadt on Friday 5/8 and was surprised to need snowshoes the entire way. Still lots of snow in the high country, even on the normally windswept NW aspects. I will try to make a trip to Georgia Pass around 6/1 to get a first hand look at the conditions there.
Beverly
Hey, as I mentioned to Thought Criminal (similar post, separate thread, thanks for letting us know the conditions…
JohnP