Help w/ planning a Sangre De Cristo trip in June

My dad and I would go for an overnight in the Sangre's around my birthday the first week in June. Snow level depends on the year and elevation but we never had any problems. The mid-afternoon hail/thunderstorms are a different problem. Expect to summit any major peaks, if that's your thing, before noon; and plan on getting back to treeline if you see storm clouds moving in.

Great feedback on the afternoon storm warning!

Anyone else with any recommendations of trails (given our criteria)?

and still looking for feedback.

Do you plan to hike any of the 14ers or 13ers peaks?

The rainbow trail is a popular 100mile hike. You could also do the popular Lake Como hike that takes you to the base of Little Bear, Bianca and Ellingwood (all 14ers). Very beautiful area.

I would recommend backpacking to the crestones via Cottonwood Lake, it is a great trip, I did this one last summer and it was beautiful. We never saw another person until we got to the peaks. A little bit of route finding but beautiful.

I'd definitely recommend going to the Great Sand Dunes as well since you'll be right there. you could easily do these in half a day. Although I hear camping on the dunes is a pretty unique experience.

Don't underestimate the altitude, especially if you plan on hiking/camping high

I'm pretty sure you would not be able to find a shuttle service in the Sangres, more north in RMNP or the Tenmile Range sure, but the Sangres are much less populated.

The Rainbow (east side of the Sangres, West Cliff to Music Pass) is a ATV route. I did it last fall and it is busy, dusty, and noisy.

And if I understand it right, you are looking for a 2 1/2 day hike, with an easy out, and then to the hot springs? Are you committed to the west side to shorten the commute to Princeton, or is the east side an option?

If the west side works, consider hiking to Willow Lake and setting up a base camp. There are more than a couple of day hikes to keep you busy, and you will know what it will take to get out.

I drove past the Sangres on Friday, and they have snow. As mentioned above, you'll need to get a snow report before you leave to avoid surprises. (And it's snowing today, again.)

If you are committed to the west side, you will be driving past Joyful Journey Hot Springs as you head north, and it is quieter, scenic, and a more enjoyable stop than Princeton, IMHO. If you've got a reason to go to Princeton, you'll do fine, it's a nice resort. I just wouldn't drive there for only the hot springs.

East side/Westcliffe: The Sand Creek Lakes Basin via Music Pass is a fantastic area. Lower Sand Creek Lake beneath Tijeras Peak is hard to beat. I've started at the Music Pass TH on two occasions and did not have any encounters with dust, noise or ATV's. Besides, no motorized rigs past the pass anyway. Plenty of trees for hammocks, but tree line is just above the lake, so there you go. A day hike to Upper Sand Creek Lake and Milwaukee Pass will give you spectacular views into the Cottonwood and South Colony drainages as well as Crestone Needle and Broken Hand Peak. Did I mention the fishing???

Still looking for advice…general or specific. Excited to go either way but want to be as prepared as possible.