Expected Night Temps – San Juan Mountains, Colorado?

I live and play smack dab in the middle of the San Juans.  Nighttime temps at elevation can vary depending upon storm fronts.  In August, you can expect high 40’s on warm nights.  Upper 20’s on cold nights.  Likely the same thing in early September as we often have a bit of an Indian summer then.  Snow can happen any night but will likely melt off quickly as soon as the sun appears.

Mindful campsite management is key to mitigating temps.  Avoid low-lying areas.  Even moving up a hundred feet from a valley floor or drainage basin makes a world of difference.

Happy Trails.

H

Fantastic info. Thanks!

Good stuff, Matt!

Site selection indeed. Wind protection can go a long ways (be mindful of deadfall or anything leaning). I learned that the hard way in the San Juans and Sangres (lived in TX and OK back then – we called strong winds tornadoes).

Check mountain weather reports. On the NOAA website you can find remote weather station locations and see the usual data for that location – temp, wind, direction, gusts, barometric pressure, relative humidity, dew point. Pick the point nearest your location/elevation and/or the one upwind of you. Or carry an instrument to gather that data, like Ryan does!

Mid Sept, aspen time, can’t be beat!

Cheers,
Bill in Roswell

My CT hike last yr ended Sept 1 in Durango.

Couple night near freezing, one 29. At camping elevations, not highest.  Pretty much as said above, 30s and 40s, a few 50s even . Its all over.

Bring a real 20F bag and be prepared to sleep in all your clothes if things go sideways.  Temps drop about 7-10F for every 1000ft of elevation gain.  That said, the advice above about staying out of valleys (particularly closed valleys) is key.  Also, if you choose the Wet Mountains near Crestone, expect rain and some very cold nights.  Oh, and if they say 30% chance of rain, it will rain.  The higher the number, the longer the duration.  Enjoy!

P.s.-Check out Ice Lake and Island Lake.  Spectacular!