View Full Version : High snowfall in CO
mot13ley
05-18-2019, 23:42
Hey y'all,
I'm planning a thruhike of the CT and will start my SOBO hike on August 11. The snowpack level in CO right now is about 150% of normal levels and there is more snow in the forecast. For anyone who has experienced a situation like this: should I be concerned about trail conditions in the upper elevations during the hike?
MuddyWaters
05-19-2019, 08:03
No. Current snowpack will be gone for sure by late aug
But in sept, new snow can occur. It wont hang around, melt next day.
gravityman
05-20-2019, 13:42
Agreed, you will be fine with an Aug 11 start. It will be monsoon season, but that varies a lot year to year, so no sense planning around that.
KyleTravels
06-03-2019, 19:05
What do you all think of a July 1 start, SOBO as far as having to deal with the snow?
MuddyWaters
06-03-2019, 19:54
What do you all think of a July 1 start, SOBO as far as having to deal with the snow?
Youll see some. CT west may be extensive.
Check CTF facebook page for updates
July 1 is a good time to start in a normal year.
When cdt hikers come thru, it will be boottracked.
I like a little snow and lingering snowfields.
Just right is awesome. Too much isnt. The difference can be just a few days. Ine of the hardest spot in CT west is the cornice at lake ann pass, steps need to be kicked up it, well after most snow gone elsewhere. Trek poles are necesary here for a while. Also section just south of cottonwood pass was kind of steep and snowy.
From CTF:
For those CT distance travelers not wanting to hassle with deep snowpack, we’re guessing they should start no earlier than July 15th, for a Southbound trip on the entire Trail, and July 25th, for the Collegiate West or the San Juan Mountains portions. These are just our guesses; no one knows for sure.
Avalanche debris has buried several sections of the Trail. It will take weeks to finish just the assessment, as we’re still learning where they all are. Then, before we can work to un-bury the Trail, we’ll need to wait until the ice-hard snow packed at the base of each debris pile melts. It is highly likely that all CT distance travelers will encounter these buried-Trail areas this season.
KyleTravels
06-05-2019, 08:08
MuddyWaters, Great information. Thank you.