CT shelter question…

Nope.

Thanks Greg!

Any other CT hikers care to chime in?

I'm not super knowledable about the TT Moment but I don't see any reason it would not work.

You could use a tarp and bivy (what I did) but if the Moment is what you have/want I don't see any reason not to use it.

The CT is just a trail through the mountains, no particularly unique things about it. Most of the time you'll have the option to camp down in the trees so you don't need a super bomb proof tent. You'll probably camp above treeline at least once in the San Juans. Here are my suggestions for shelter and lighting protection from north to south.

1. La Garita Wilderness
You are above treeline most of the way from the headwaters of Cochatopa Creek to within a mile or so of Spring Creek Pass. Snow Mesa is especially high and exposed to both wind and lighting. I would suggest doing it in one day with a VERY early start or break it up. You have options to get down into the trees at both branches of Mineral Creek. If its late or the weather looks bad drop down and camp then do Snow Mesa first thing the next morning.

2. Spring Creek Pass to Carson Saddle
Once you climb up from Spring Creek Pass this area is pretty exposed. If you need to camp the trail does dip below treeline once at the CT yurt. Its just past the headwaters of Big Buck Creek and visible on contour maps. This would be a good place to wait out bad weather. After this are there is no real cover all the way to Carson Saddle. You are high and exposed, I would not go here if a thunderstorm was moving in.

3. Carson Saddle to Wimenuche Wilderness
After Carson Saddle the trail follows a slope high above Lost Trail Creek. I don't recall any established campsites but if you look a bit there are spots to fit between the alpine willows on the right side of the trail. I camped here with 4 other hikers so there was room for 5 different shelters. The willows gave some wind protection ant the fact that we weren't the highest thing around probably made us safer from lighting. After this spot the trail was pretty high and exposed all the way to the Wimenuche Wilderness.

There are other alpine areas but they are all short enough you can get up and over them in about half a day or less. I would just try to time them so that you can do them in the morning not the afternoon.

Awesome info, thanks Luke. I'll be Denver bound, leaving as early in June as is feasible (obviously weather dependent. I'm expecting a little snow and some high winds. Also, I've allotted the entire summer to wandering the CT/CDT, bagging some 14ers, and spending a bunch of zero days, lake side in the Alpine. The tent is more of a comfort thing, I just want to ensure the tent I bring, can handle any inclement weather conditions.