Early State Date - 6/19

[handlebar]

I'm planning a westbound Colorado Trail thru hike with a loop onto the CDT from Copper Mtn nobo on the alternate CDT route thru Silverthorne to Jones Pass then sobo on the official CDT route back to the CT east of the trailhead for Breckenridge then continuing W on the CT. (I want to pick up Greys and Torreys since I took the alternate on my CDT thru).

I was skiing in Summit County (Copper, Breck, Keystone) and the snowpack seemed low to me. Will June 19 be too early to start this itinerary?

[Daniel Fisher]

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...=1#post1442810

[fiddlehead]

I did the CT westbound starting in late June one year (2001).
I like snow so it was great.
A bit hard to find the trail a few times.
Had snow almost everywhere above 10,000'
But, I like that kind of challenge.
Good luck.

[swofford]

I plan on leaving around that date as well to do a thru. I am also wondering if this a good time to start. looking to buy airline tickets in another week.

[Mags]

I plan on leaving around that date as well to do a thru. I am also wondering if this a good time to start. looking to buy airline tickets in another week.

IAD on what snow happens in the next month or so.

Having said that, June 20th *should* be an OK start date this year.

But, again, the snow in April and May is what will determine if 20th can be a good start date.

[maybe clem]

If there's a good amount of snow, would that indicate that those of us with uninsulated air pads for our sleeping bags will need something between the pad and the tent floor?

[Mags]

If there's a good amount of snow, would that indicate that those of us with uninsulated air pads for our sleeping bags will need something between the pad and the tent floor?

If by uninsulated, do you mean something like this?
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Pad/Aircore

If so, the R-value may be on the lower side for hiking in Colorado for perhaps all but the warmest days while camping at really lower elevations.