Low snow in Colorado

imported
#1

So there is very little snow this year as compared to previous years around this time. Any guesses on what a reasonable start date might be for this year?

Andrew M

#2

Check out the snow pack for yourself. Here’s an interactive map noaa puts out. Make sure to switch the viewer to snow depth. You can view any date on the record.
http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/interactive/html/map.html

Andrew M

#3

The snowpack is well below average for this time of year, but a big storm is expected to hit Colorado this weekend. Here is the current forecast from Open Snow: http://opensnow.com/dailysnow/colorado

In a typical year, you can hike the first 5 CT segments in May. The first big snow test is in the trees on the west side of Georgia Pass. I crossed this area on June 20, 2009, and post-holed my way through about two miles of snow with drifts still 8-10’deep in spots. It was an average snow year in 2009.

Although Colorado experienced the driest March on record, good-sized snow storms can occur in April, and even May. If you are travelling from out-of-state to thru-hike the CT, I would plan on starting no earlier than mid-June.

Bernard

#4

Hi Andrew,
I will probably be taking a hike to evaluate georgia pass in May. I will let you know what I think. I live in Idaho Springs, CO and can see a 12,000 ft mtn from my house. a recent storm left alot of snow on it but it is melting really quick (that being said it is snowing right now). while we have had a low snow year it is coupled with the fact that we have had a high wind year, that has really melted everything insanely quick. i have had 3 foot dumps in May livng at 8400’ so be prepared to snow camp if you want to start really early but this season may offer a good chance to beat the monsoons … and there could be high fire danger later in the season if we dont get precipatation.

jennmiko

#5

Hey there jennmike

I’m incredibly jealous! Stuck here in the middle of Houston next to the busiest med center in the world. The only thing I see outside of my window is a bunch of hospitals! Oh well I’ll be moving to Colorado as soon as a graduate

Please do let me know how Georgia pass is when you make it up there. It’s my plan to finally do the full colorado trail this year!

Andrew M

#6

Well, last year I went snowmobiling in mid June. This year I can currently drive the roads I was snowmobiling on last June. There are large areas in CO with almost 0 snow that normally would still have great backcountry ski routes. If there was ever a year to go early, this is it.

GoinBoarding