I might have a couple weeks in April to enjoy Colorado and want to hike something… Does anyone know when the snow melts on the southern part of the CT? Can I do Silverton to Durango in April? Question number #2: Is there any 14er’s that can be conquered in April?
Thanks
Bubble Boy
You may see winter conditions anywhere on the CT in April. March and April are statistically the snowiest months in CO. Yes, the CT can be traveled, but not likely by foot. Skis or snowshoes and four season gear would be needed. Few hikers get out there until June.
Same answer to the 14ers. They’ve all been climbed in winter, so it depends on your skill and equipment. There are a couple of easy and excellent spring climbs, like Bierstadt and Quandary, but not near Durango.
Good April hiking around Durango can be found in N Arizona and S Utah.
Garlic
Weather in the San Juans (I live here) is not really conducive to great hiking in April. It’s still plenty snowy up in the mountains towards Silverton and in the La Platas, and typically stays that way until May/Juneish. But as Garlic said, it can snow at any time of the year here. We’re currently having mild weather and rain in the Durango valley, so unless we have more snow, it’ll be slush coming down to Durango on the CT and lots and lots of mud. Which makes for not only unpleasant hiking but serious erosion.
I would recommend waiting a few months more if you want to hike this section–you’ll avoid the mud and slush and be at the height of wildflower season–or stay higher up and bring some solid winter gear.
If you do end up in Durango, you should stop in to Carver’s Brewery for a Colorado Trail Nut Brown Ale…so tasty! :cheers
Doodle
Thanks for the info guys. Garlic: Maybe I’ll take your advice and head to southern Utah. Doodle: You’re not the first person to tell me about that Trail Nut Brown Ale!! Good beer is worth the stop.
Bubble Boy
…and do you only post at 11:48 PM, Bubble? Ah, the red rocks are callin’ ye boy! Monument Valley, along the Rim Country, down into some lesser known canyons, cold water crossings, in the Manzanita scrub, atop Wilson Mountain, wander, seek, and hey, I might join you for a beer at the Spirit Room in Jerome.
fishngame
:cheers :pimp Hope you have a good time but i think that the trail may have a little bit of snow on it till around may or june at best.
14erbound
Hello,
Along the same lines… wondering about the conditions from Silverton to Durango in late June.
cotraildreamer
Cotraildreamer - Last year you would have been postholing much of the way. This year though, the snow has been lighter (100" lower at Wolf Creek pass). You might be able to get by if the spring is a warm one. Too early to predict from my vantage point in Pagosa, but it’s possible. I suggest you check back later and keep your fingers crossed.
Matt
The new Cataract Ridge segment between Carson Saddle and Elk creek was heavily snowbound until Mid July last year. Even then there were some tricky steep snowfields to negotiate. I think you would still have considerable avalanche danger in April. Many ski areas are still open then, and the elevations of the ski areas are generally lower than the CT.
bearcreek