Trip Ideas – Utah or Western Colorado in June

The Pecos in New Mexico might fit the bill for you. Close to Santa Fe (where I assume there is an airport). I was just up there (on snow shoes).

All that said I might stick with the Unitas, bigger area, and probably just as scenic if not more so.

Take a look at the SNOTEL snowpack graphs for the major basins in Colorado at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/co/snow/products/?cid=nrcs144p2_063323

You'll see that although statewide we're running at 115% of normal snowpack, much of the southern and southwest part of the state is currently running below normal, including San Juan, Animas, Dolores, San Miguel and Rio Grande basins. We're still 4-6 weeks from normal peak snowpack, so it's really too early to tell with certainty.

I had actually considered the Pecos (it's been on my list for a couple years now), but I forgot to mention I don't want to fly, so it'd be a far drive from OR.

Thank you for the SNOTEL link. I will have to explore the various areas. The San Juans or Rio Grande areas could be good ideas.

I've been doing some more research and came across the Emigrant Wilderness in CA. From looking at the map, it seems like many of the lakes are around 8000' – 9000'. Does anyone have an idea if these would be mostly snow-free by late May or early June?

I called the ranger's office for the Uintas. She said the Western side is having about average snow levels (meaning things won't clear up until about mid-June), but the Eastern side of the Uintas is below average and could be hike-able as early as Mid-May.

Sure – June is fantastic at the lower elevations in the sierra. Fish are hungry. So are mosquitoes. Lots of dog friendly places, and I think that might split the distance with your friend – maybe even better. 8000 ft is usually clear in June during a "nomal" year. Short of an act of God this year should be perfect.

Take a look at the Tahoe rim trail. But Emigrant has a ton of lakes and fishing opportunities, and much of it should be perfect (except for the aforementioned mosquitoes) by early June.

Any guesses on the whether the mosquitos would be worse in mid May or June around the Emigrant Wilderness? May would be colder but June will probably be drier…

June and beginning of July are typically the worst, but I don't think you can predict it too precisly. They hatch when a temperature switch goes off. Some people have predicted that because of the low-snow winter they will be down this year, but I wouldn't count on it. Just bring a head net and use permethrin on the outside of your clothes.

They have never been a reason for me not to go. It is only if you are absolutely unprepared that they rise to a major annoyance. The good news is they will be asleep at night and in the morning when it is cold.

Dogs love Emigrant!

I haven’t yet been there in May, though I was just north in the >Carson-Iceberg Wilderness over Memorial Day weekend 2012. Snow was negligible at 8000′.

A whole bunch of links to good weather info on the Sierra can be found in this thread:

http://www.highsierratopix.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=7778

Maybe the Boulder Mountain area of Utah would work. High forested plateau full of small lakes and streams. Check out BoulderMountainGuides.com

Thanks, Boulder Mountain looks pretty great. That is definitely an area I will keep in mind.