Snow Update - The Colorado Trail

imported
#1

For what it’s worth, the snow in the Weminuche appears to be melting quickly. Outside of Pagosa Springs (65 miles east of Durango, 40 miles south of Crede), the snow is clinging to the shaded sides of mountains from about 10,500 on up. It’s gone everywhere that is exposed to the sun. The snow that clings to the shadows doesn’t make the trails impassable, it just makes them really hard to follow where blazes are lacking.

In the last two weeks, I’d estimate remaining snow piles have melted off by 2-3’. In another two weeks, I’d expect the snow to be essentially a non-issue. Someone who has actually visited the trail has better info that I, but in the absence of any such first-hand accounts, I hope this helps with your CT planning.

Matt

#2

Due to timing, I had to start my thru-hike earlier than I wanted. I am in Breckenridge now, but barely. Going over Georgia Pass two days ago was nearly impossible on the hike down. Sooo much snow. The tenmile range is insane too. From what I understand the few people ahead of me that have done it had to go up the peak 9 road, connect with the wheeler trail, and then reconnect with the CT on the other side. I guess the CT over the range is completely covered. I lost the trail probably 20 times coming down from Georgia Pass…I can only imagine what it’s like on the backside of the tenmile range.

The good news is that it is melting quickly. Even another week will make things probably a lot better although it will probably take at least 2 or 3 to make the tenmile range ok. The woman at the outfitters here said that the melt is practically a month behind schedule this year.

I will try to update from Buena Vista on the conditions between here and there once (if) I get there.

-lakewood

lakewood

#3

sunset(frank masters) is hiking north on the cdt, and he
has just left silida, colorado. he is on the journal here
under the name sunset. he has a journal and has a lot of
good information about hiking north in colorado. he has had
some close calls with getting lost! big time.
cutty

cutty

#4

At the end of June I was part of a six person group that followed the Ct up and over the ten mile range. It was not easy but we did it! It is passable.

Wilderness Bob

#5

awesome news. Glad they finally cleared up enough to do the hike. I was there about 10 days earlier and it was just not possible.

I am in silverton now, and everything else up till here has been fine (except for kokomo pass…which should be ok by the time you get there).

lakewood