The CT in April

imported
#1

CT in late march early april
I understand most thru hikers do not start hiking the trail until late June. However I was wondering about doing the first two segments from denver in April. If there is enuff snow melted and the forcast permits I thought I would try to get through these in two days. My overnight at South Platte Townsite is at an elevation of 6100 ft. The following day I would finish my two day hike at county rd 126 near the town of Buffalo Creek. I am from Leadville and I have seen the weather get awfuly nice in the foot hills outside of Denver in Late March and early April. I am going through severe hiking withdrawels and need some pack time here in March and April. Any thouts about this trip would be greatly appreciated!

CJ

#2

March and April in the Front Range are typically the heaviest snow months. On St Pat’s Day in '03 Evergreen/Conifer/Bailey got about seven feet of snow. Other years there’s drought. You have to play it by ear and check the weather and trail conditions about a week ahead of time.

If the snow is not prohibitively deep (and it probably won’t be), the major obstacle will probably be sheet ice. Around that time of year the sun is getting strong enough for daily melting, and still cold at night for freezing. The foothill trails can be pretty hazardous, especially in shade. You’d need pretty strong traction devices for a couple days in those conditions.

Another obstacle could be breakable crust on old snow. It’s not dangerous, but it makes for agonizing travel at times, even if the snow is not deep.

Less common in that area are weak snow bridges over streams, but still something to watch out for.

Some water sources may still be frozen, so extra fuel might be needed for melting snow. It’s a pretty dry area normally.

Those are a few things that come to mind. I’m sure there are more watch-out situations.

Garlic

#3

That section is generally doable in April. Garlic made good points. I’d expect shady areas with significant drifts. It can make for tedious hiking yet not worth bringing snowshoes. I’d personally wear a medium weight boot and knee length gaters.

Don’t discount the possibility of not being able to find small water sources hidden under snow.

Enjoy the bugless solitude!

Hardcore

#4

Ah, man I hiked from Razor Creek to Litttle Baldy in May last year. (Not a long hike). The snow as chest deep up there. The only way I could make any progress at all was on all fours. It was exhausting. It seems to me that snowshoes would be a necessity. Maybe it was due to warming conditions, but I would break thru past my knees on every step. It was really no fun at all. APPLE

APPLE

#5

I had a similar experience thruhiking the Long Trail. An early fall blizzard waylaid me near the Canadian border and I was reduced to trying to slither over the top of drifted snow pushing my pack ahead of me. It was absurdly difficult.

Hardcore

#6

La Nina has been intense this year. The mountains (west of the Continental Divide) have enjoyed plenty of snow this winter, while those of us on the front range have enjoyed a very easy winter. That being said, Sections 1 - 3 are easily walkable right now with YakTrax or minimal footgear. Sections 4 forward are a different matter. My take is that it is probably average South and West of
Section 3.

TG

TrailGuy