Early start questions

imported
#1

Hello. Has anyone ever started hiking from Denver as early as say…May 15th? I am ‘only’ going to hike the first 200 or so miles. I understand the first 70 miles are no problem, but once you get past breck, would snowshoes be required? The snow is very light this year, and so that is why I hoped to start my section early, for opportunistic reasons. I don’t mind hiking in snow fields here and there, I was just curious how much snow I could expect south of breck, and whether I should lug around my snowshoes or not. Of course I would rather not pack them! Would this area be ‘dangerous’ without snowshoes in late may? Could anyone share any thoughts or experiences? Thanks, I can’t wait to get going!

Steven Read

#2

If you come into snow you may very well need snow shoes. I won’t think that you would need them in the early section, but after breck it is a definite possibility. Keep in mind that is you head out this early the weather could be very cold, especially the higher up you get.

Leif

#3

Thanks Leif. I heard some recent snow reports from a couple folks, and apparently its incredibly dry as high as 12K. So this is great to hear about the trail being ready so early this year. I really don’t mind the cold weather this time of year. So I think I’ll just carry gaiters and leave the snowshoes in the closet!
-Steven

Steven Read

#4

hey, steve. like you i’ll be starting early. around may 30th. instead of taking snowshoes you might want to consider this: screw some short sheet metal screw in the bottom of your boots or sneakers. it won’t work as well as snowshoes, but if it’s soft snow you can just steps, and if it’s icy the screws should be suficient. i will be using this technique. taking into consideration the amount od snow received this year and how often you will actually use the snowshoes compared to carrying them on your pack, it seems like something to consider. i got the idea from an article about a guy named roy robinson who has hiked all kinds of stuff. he used this technique on the applachian trail and others.

outdoorjunkie25

#5

I am starting in Twin Lakes, southbound on June 25th. I was planning my PCT pace, about 20-25 miles a day. With the CO drought, will I need an Ice Axe?

brick

#6

I would guess that you don’t need it, but that is just a guess.

Leif

#7

I’m gonna insert my 2 cents here, leaving that “late,” I would say that you should definately not need it if you stay to the trail. that’s almost july and though there will be patches of snow for sure, not nearly enough especially this year to make carrying an ice axe worthwhile

Sweeper