CT tread/ weather in late Aug

imported
#1

What is the tread of the CT like compared to the PCT? Is it possible to average a similar number of miles on the CT?

What is the weather like in CO in late August- early September?

Thanks!

kbg

#2

The CT has excellent tread for the most part. It is the best maintained trail in Colorado. Down trees will be cut out by mid summer. I’ve done about 200 miles of the PCT in California and I’d say they are comparable.

There is a monsoon season with daily showeres in the San Juans in August but its nothing to worry too much about as long as you use good judgement regarding lightning. Take some good rain gear and a reliable shelter and you will be fine.

Jerry Brown

#3

It’s been a while since I hiked the CT, but I’m I think there’s a little more elevation gain per mile, in general, than the PCT. It may compare to the steepest 500 miles of the PCT, rather than the average. Don’t compare it to Oregon, for instance. And the weather in August may slow you down a little. You can do PCT miles, but you’ll be taking a little more risk above treeline and you’ll be a little more tired, I think. I know some thru hikers have done it in 20 days or fewer.

Garlic

#4

what happens in the weather in late august? i was thinking late july would be a good time to start because cold weather is over? i am older i don’t figure i will be going as fast as younger so what time would you say that i should go so i get the best of the best weather…

Christine Douglas

#5

The CO monsoon season usually starts in early July and continues into August. There are usually a couple of weeks of heavy rain, but the season continues a while with daily afternoon lightning storms even without much rain. The afternoon storms can be intense and scary above tree line, which is where the CT often lives, especially at the southern end. Prudent hikers do not enjoy being above tree line during these storms and they may sit them out below tree line. That can put a dent in your hiking day, which can be either enjoyable or frustrating. Less prudent hikers continue into the storms, then pitch shelter at the last minute if needed and ride the storms out above tree line. It’s definitely more exciting that way.

My favorite time in the CO backcountry is in September and early October after the monsoon season, but the chance of heavy snow increases after mid September. You’re probably best off finishing the Trail before the middle of September. A late July start is probably best, with a good knowledge of how to deal with the lightning safely.

The monsoon season is very important to the state. Dry years, the place burns up.

Garlic

#6

The ideal summer hike leaves Denver in early June. Its really not very cold after mid-June and you don’t get up very high the first few days out of Denver. Depending upon how fast you go, you could miss a lot of the rain which seems to build up in late July with a finale in August. The rains are usually afternoon events. Best advice I can give is to get up early every day, start hiking by 7AM, and try to have at least ten miles by noon. Then hike as long as you wish if it doesn’t rain, or until it begins raining then make camp. Hiking in September will likely miss the rains and its a beautiful time to be up there. You could get snowed in, however and it would be colder than June.

bearcreek