Section 8 Conditions 5/9-10

imported
#1

Red and I snowshoe backpacked from Copper Mountain to U.S. 24 this past weekend (May 9-10), more or less following the general route of the Colorado Trail. Snow conditions were poor. Much of the trail was still buried under deep, unstable snow. The snow held our weight in the vicinity of Janet’s Cabin, Searle Pass and Kokomo Pass, but we postholed, even with snowshoes, coming down from Kokomo Pass, and again hiking uphill above Camp Hale. The route was not marked adequately for snow travel, so we generally could not see where the trail was. We left the trail route between the two passes and hiked the ridge over Corbett Peak (12,500 something) and down to Kokomo Pass. We bailed out early on U.S. 24, not hiking to Tennessee Pass. I think we covered about 20 trail miles. I would say it’s definitely too early for reasonable backpacking conditions. We may continue with the next trail section on Memorial Day Weekend.

Thought Criminal

Thought Criminal

#2

Hi, just wanted to say thanks for heading out early and letting the rest of us know what your finding. There’s nothing like folks that have really been there to get an idea about conditions… JPP

JohnP

#3

Thanks, John. We may go out on the trail again for Memorial Day weekend from U.S. 24 southbound. If we go, we’d like to aim for about 57 miles to the Rockdale area over three days. Anybody care to join us?

TC

Thought Criminal

#4

okay after reading other trail forums i feel like the only person starting too super early on thru hiking the trail but this is the only time I could get off from work, so I’m totally battling the elements. Segment 6 was above and beyond and if it was you guys that left the foot prints I owe you big time for leading me through 7 miles of deepness unstable snow. So did you pick up the trail after Tennessee Pass?? Hows it looking out there, I’m going to skip some sections to avoid flashbacks of sinking in snow, I’m thinking of starting by the Twin Lakes but it’s still high elevation hiking, any ideas on how the snow is around there???
Ashley

Ashley

#5

Hi Ashley,

Didn’t see your post earlier. I decided to wait before continuing with the trail. Red and I have not gone back to pick up the trail after Tennessee Pass. Since I have a ride arranged out to Bayfield on June 19th, I’m waiting until then to resume backpacking the CDT (with contiguous sections of the Colorado Trail). Good luck on the trail.

Thought Criminal

Thought Criminal