Topic

Colorado front range backpacking in early April???


Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Home Forums General Forums General Lightweight Backpacking Discussion Colorado front range backpacking in early April???

  • This topic is empty.
Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • #1314622
    Nicolas Barr
    Spectator

    @kcfdbarr

    I am helping a friend move out to Denver in a couple weeks and was hoping to bring my gear with and get 2 nights in on the mountains. I have never been backpacking in Colorado earlier than May and realize there is still a lot of snow in April. I would appreciate any ideas, maybe lower elevations? I was hoping to stay within a couple hours’ drive from Denver.

    Thanks

    #2084407
    Greg Mihalik
    Spectator

    @greg23

    Locale: Colorado

    Lost Creek Wilderness Area.

    Search here, on BPL, for Trip Reports, and with google for general info.

    #2084444
    Randy Martin
    BPL Member

    @randalmartin

    Locale: Colorado

    I really would be suspect about planning any backpacking trip in early April in the mountains. You are just asking for miserable postholing. Lost Creek Wilderness is better in early May for the Goose Creek loop. Even then you will likely be hiking through significant snow in spots. Here is another thread about Lost Creek conditions specifically http://www.14ers.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=42674&p=520512#p520512

    #2084495
    Rick Reno
    BPL Member

    @scubahhh

    Locale: White Mountains, mostly.

    Not sure whether this'll help, but my friends Stacy and Greg Boone run a great guiding and trainign business in Pagosa Springs. They might be able to help you out with local knowlede and recommendations. Check 'em out: [email protected]

    #2084506
    Paul Magnanti
    BPL Member

    @paulmags

    Locale: Colorado Plateau

    What they all said.

    I'm still skiing up in the high country at that time.

    You are going to have to look lower.

    Not extreme backcountry by any means, but Golden Gate Canyon state park is (generally) 9k ft or lower and is a possibility not far from Denver. There are "backcountry" campsites you can use. With the early season wildflowers that may be poking out, could be pretty. It is where I hike in mid-April or so until summer at times (and late Fall. It is also where my wife and I married. :)

    http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/GoldenGateCanyon/Pages/Camping.aspx
    http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/GoldenGateCanyon/Documents/BackcountryCampingMap.pdf

    Even there, the higher elevation areas in the shade may have some patches of snow. Should be doable, though.

    Other possibilities are the first sections of the Colorado Trail. But, quite frankly, that is mainly mellow MTBikng terrain. While pleasant, I think Golden Gate is more interesting.

    #2084520
    Dondo .
    BPL Member

    @dondo

    Locale: Colorado Rockies

    Here's another possibility for an overnighter in early April. It's just outside Canon City which is two hours south of Denver.

    #2085094
    Nicolas Barr
    Spectator

    @kcfdbarr

    Thanks for the help, and great suggestions. I have some research to do; leaning toward Lost Creek Wilderness. How is the north east portion nearer to Bailey? Is the snow likely to be to soft/melted for snowshoes? Is the heavier snow more avoidable by going off trail?

    #2085299
    Randy Nelson
    BPL Member

    @rlnunix

    Locale: Rockies

    Normally it would be too early for LCW. But in spite of ski resorts on the west side of the divide getting record snowfall, we've had a horrible snow year on the east side. I live about 10 miles from LCW and 5 miles north of the CT. We're currently at 53% of average snow fall for the season with maybe 6 weeks to go. April is our snowiest month here but March is still short of normal so who knows what will happen. If you are willing to bring snowshoes as well as your regular hiking footwear, I'd say go for it. Just keep an eye on the weather as it gets closer to your trip. As Pmags said, the first part of the CT isn't really that scenic (a lot better than the view from my desk however) but a pretty good bet for early in the year.

    #2086774
    Gordon Gray
    BPL Member

    @gordong

    Locale: Front Range, CO

    I live in the burbs of Denver and I am jonesing for the snow to go away. I like to start up high and go higher. I guess I'll have to settle with something in the 8k range until June.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting

A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!

Get the Newsletter

Get our free Handbook and Receive our weekly newsletter to see what's new at Backpacking Light!

Gear Research & Discovery Tools


Loading...