Mags
05-15-2011, 19:02
Every year, there seems to be a series of questions on forums (and to my e-mail) about hiking the Colo Trail in May and into early-mid June.
Northern Colorado (many areas where the CT/CDT goes through) is 130%+ snowpack this year as of May 1st (See attached map)
One thing to see raw numbers and a graph, another thing to see a photo! So here is a photo from today. Show is my buddy Matt on a trail in the James Peak wilderness. A little north of the Colo Trail, but a good representation of what may be found at around 10k feet or so up near the Continental Divide in Colorado. We headed back around 11:30 am as the snow was getting slush. I can't imagine snowshoeing through this all day. Not that it CAN't be done..just is not fun for most people (physically challenging, navigational challenges, slower pace so more food is needed in addition to the increased calorie burn). :sun
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/228052_10150253746900021_563440020_9074616_5302108 _n.jpg
Snowshoeing in this type of snow (slushy, concrete like) all day is HARD and exhausting.
Just saying it may be wise to wait until the end of June (or even a little later) to start a hike of the CT from Denver if the snow does not melt out faster. :sun
file:///C:/Users/ADMINI%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-6.png
Northern Colorado (many areas where the CT/CDT goes through) is 130%+ snowpack this year as of May 1st (See attached map)
One thing to see raw numbers and a graph, another thing to see a photo! So here is a photo from today. Show is my buddy Matt on a trail in the James Peak wilderness. A little north of the Colo Trail, but a good representation of what may be found at around 10k feet or so up near the Continental Divide in Colorado. We headed back around 11:30 am as the snow was getting slush. I can't imagine snowshoeing through this all day. Not that it CAN't be done..just is not fun for most people (physically challenging, navigational challenges, slower pace so more food is needed in addition to the increased calorie burn). :sun
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/228052_10150253746900021_563440020_9074616_5302108 _n.jpg
Snowshoeing in this type of snow (slushy, concrete like) all day is HARD and exhausting.
Just saying it may be wise to wait until the end of June (or even a little later) to start a hike of the CT from Denver if the snow does not melt out faster. :sun
file:///C:/Users/ADMINI%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-6.png