Colorado Trail in late March

imported
#1

Can anyone give me some information on trail conditions in late March?

Looking for a section which will have minimal snow conditions around March 25th timeframe.

Thanks,

Kevin

Kevin

#2

Other than Waterton canyon, most of the Colorado Trail will still be under quite a bit of snow, even in the lower elevations before Kenosha Pass. (Not as snowy, but lots of icy stretches).

The snowpack in Colorado is ~125% of the total this year overall. In the San Juans is through the roof.

Long short? Minimal snow conditions will exist in MAYBE the first 20 miles out of Denver.

Winter ends early in the higher elevations. And a good chunk of the Colorado Trail may be prone to avalanche conditions well into June this year.

Paul Mags

#3

Ditto. I live in Evergreen, CO, just a few miles north of the first section out of Waterton Canyon. Conditions now are definitely icy and snowed in, and March and April are statistically our snowiest months (84" in one anomolous storm on St Pat’s Day '03). I have friends in Durango who are reporting the heaviest snow they’ve ever seen there, it’s piled up in town which is nearly unheard of. Sorry for the bad news, but it’s not looking good.

I think Mags is right, the first 20 miles out of Denver is your only chance, and you’ll need serious traction devices.

garlic

#4

I really can’t add to what Garlic said…but I wrote my post in a hurry…

It should read “Winter ends LATER in the higher elevation” (and comes earlier). :slight_smile:

It was that kind of day yesterday. :open_mouth:

Paul Mags

#5

I have lived in Durango for 15 years and this is nearly the most snow I have ever seen here (the most was winter 92-93). I still have 3+ feet on the level in my yard on the valley floor. Molas Pass has 6’+ on the level right now. This year, CT sections around Silverton may have substantial snow fields lasting into mid to late July (July 4 is normal). Garlic is right, statistically we get more snow in March and April than any other months of the year so winter may not be over yet. If you are planning a trip down here before mid June, bring your snowshoes!

The Band-aid Kid

#6

Does anyone know if there is a website I can check that would have updated info on snowpack in the San Juans? I’m planning to go out for a couple weeks starting at the first of July and I’ve been leaning towards hiking some of the more southern CT sections, just because they’re so pretty! But, if there’s still a lot of snow, I might change my mind.

Skye B

#7

Go to postholer.com, CDT page. This excellent site shows snowpack as a percent of April 1 average.

Garlic